How to Align a Sky / Freesat Satellite Dish

[green3gg]

Thanks for the video. Good tip on using pre-tuned channels for lo-tech dish align. This worked for me: set TV on to pre-tuned channel (Xoro receiver from tvtrade), turn volume up, set up home phones on speaker call: one by TV, other out to dish. Move dish until you hear it tune in. :)

[tvtradedave]

@green3gg very inventive, good idea, well done.

[Alexboooom]

hi there...i have a very old satellite dish witn one ''eye'' (lnb) facing it for 12+ years now...it was along with an analogue receiver..i haven't used it for longggg, maybe 10 years, can i connect this dish to a new digital receiver or do i have to add something more? thnx in advance

[tvtradedave]

@Alexboooom you might be albel to, it depends on what satellite it was pointed to. If you know someone that has a free to air receiver, get a lend of it and plug it in and see what happens. If you get the UK free to air channels, then you just need to buy your own box and it should work ok.

[Alexboooom]

@tvtradedave i will give it a try...thnx for ur reply...also i would like to know if i can add a 2nd lnb, cause i have only one...is it possible? i remember with this one lnb and analogue i was pointing to astra satellite....do i need a 2nd lnb if i want also for hotbird? soon i will see the results and let u know...

[tvtradedave]

@Alexboooom you'll need a seperate LNB..... you'll need to get a special holder to allow 2 lnbs to be used on 1 dish, in fact you may need to change dish also to facilate this also.

[hotlips4000isback2]

Thanks for this video ;)

I need a dish so that i can get Freesat on my Panasonic Plasma TV, which has it all built in.

I live in a flat(5th floor) & most shops have said that they won't do it for my place cause of Health & Safety policies ;(!.

I'm thinking of doing it myself, and need some advice.

What size dish is reccomeneded?, Can i mount the Dish on any wall available then turn it to the angle needed to pick up the signal?(Astra 2@ 238.2* East, & Eurobird 1@28.5 East). I'm in S.E LDN.

[tvtradedave]

@hotlips4000isback2 Dish will need to face at 141 degrees on the compass (basically south East) where the Sun it at 10.50am in the morning.

A 60cm sky dish will do

Be careful - do you have a balcony ?

if so you could use 2 x 8 shelly nut pole clamps and a 180cm galvanised mast. See our site for the necessary products

[hotlips4000isback2]

@tvtradedave

Thanks for the reply ;)

So i can mount the dish on any wall, just as long as it's facing in the direction of where the sun is in the morning @ the time you stated?

I do have a balcony, but it's VERY big(i have a shed etc etc out there!), but i will look into the equipment you suggested.

My TV has Freesat HD built in, but do i need a HD Dish to?& Whats type dish(appearance wise-Black Mesh/Grey solid) is best for signal? & if recording two shows, do i need a double LNB?

[tvtradedave]

@hotlips4000isback2 If you have a balcony, you might consider something like a tripod satellite bracket, can be mounted to the ground but if you haev a suitable wall then that is probably best. No such thing as a HD dish. Standard 60cm sky satellite dish will do. Yes you will need at least 2 LNB outputs. Most people opt for a quad LNB to allow for expansion in the future.

[hotlips4000isback2]

@tvtradedave

Cheers Dave :)

Looked at the tripods, i will mount it on the wall, i think that's best.

I

've seen some HD/ SD dish's in B&Q hence my question. But realised that it was the box that they were referring to! ;p

Is it right for me to assume that i can use a dish labelled Freesat or Sky?

I will go for a double LNB, but may consider a Quad, for expansion. ;)

Thanks again for you're help ;)

[tvtradedave]

@hotlips4000isback2 Yes, freesat dish = sky dish. You're looking for a 60cm perforated ot mesh dish, that's what's commonly known as a sky dish but for legalities, sometimes sky are bit funny about calling it this, so to avoid hassle, we just called the section on the website, freesat dishes.

[hotlips4000isback2]

@tvtradedave

I have seen perforated dish's in 43cm, but not bigger unless they are replacements or bought online.

And cause i want to buy in a shop, the solid grey ones seem to be more popular.

I assume they are just as good?

[tvtradedave]

@hotlips4000isback2 43cm dishes are not great in ireland.. Really need to be looking at 60cm upwards. There are pros and cons with both perforated and solid dishes, the main one being that solid ones have no hold in them and are prone to shift position in windy conditions and then need to be re-aligned. If you are not alergic to shopping online, best to get the perforated on in my opinion:-)

[hotlips4000isback2]

@tvtradedave

I'm not in Ireland, I'm in South East London! ;) Either way, i will go for a 60cm dish, to get the best signal possible.And i do prefer the perforated type dish as they blend in more and cause it does get quite windy where i am, at least it won't be moving! ;)

I assume you sell what i need for a good price on you're site?:)

Do you deliver to the UK and how much are the installation packs in Pounds?

[tvtradedave]

@hotlips4000isback2 You will find us very competitive. We operate a very low cost online model that is pretty much unmatched in ireland, not sure how we compare to the UK. We do deleiver to the UK but the shipping is 20 euros. Shipping can't be helped, costs are out of our control. Visit the website to see the prices in euros and then use something like xe.com to convert to pounds sterling.

[hotlips4000isback2]

@tvtradedave

Yeah, i understand the shipping costs, that's just the way it is, and i will convert the prices online. ;)

e something that i like and it's good quality & value. ;)

[tvtradedave]

Sure am!

[ihatemuckdjs]

@tvtradedave Cool, so do you know where I could get that professional sat/sky meter you have in the video in ireland? Thanks

[tvtradedave]

@ihatemuckdjs Don't know where you will get that particular one now. We moved away from that model to the SmartMeter S10 Satellite FInder. Have a look on our website under 'tools and satellite finders' and you will see it there. Have a look at the videos and see if it suits you needs. It should do, it's a great pro sat meter.

[MiBa19]

Hey Dave, bought satellite diy kit off you and if it wasn't for the video I dont know where id be, thanks a mill!

[typhoontim125]

Another briiliant video Dave..VERY informative...expert advice in plain english. 10/10!!

[SHOOT3RiG3ARS]

Hey Dave, do you know if it is really easy to accidently move a sky dish when installing a new LNB, and will the Quad LNB I have with the pull-down cover still need silicone grease over the F connectors? I am thinking of inserting the satellite cables to the LNB before I insert the LNB to the skydish to prevent disturbing the dish so that would be easier right?

Liking the videos and they are very informative, you've earned a subscriber :)

[pervaiz07860]

thnx 4 da video

[semco72057]

That last meter is very important for installers when trying to get a certain satellite for subscription service. It would be much quicker for you. I have the first one in my inventory when I purchased a motorized system and it worked out just fine for setting it up since all I had to do was find the true South.

[swanley]

Very good

[tvtradedave]

During the winter time 141 degrees would align with align with 9.50 but during the summer time it out by 1 hour due to the clock going forward in the spring. Also though we use GMT standard we are 30 minutes earth rotation time behind London and that explains the rest of the gap. Happy Installation.

[divvy1400yam600]

I may have realised what the answer is lol

The Sun does not move across the sky in a linear manner.

I am not trying to be clever I am trying to work out how to align my dish

[divvy1400yam600]

I cant understand why 10 to 11 summer time is 141 degrees.

I think 12 hours = 180 degrees

so ( 12 * 141 ) divided 180 should give the time when Sun is at 141 degrees

This gives 09:20.

This is a genuine query .

I am trying to align a dish using the lo tech method.

If you know the correct solution I would appreciate it.

thanks

[tvtradedave]

Thanks dude

[AndrewKFletcher]

Thanks for the video, very clear instructions

[watchingher86]

LOL no tech nice nice