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We have one and used it live in the field! Works well, and to be honest I have foudn the included - attached ot the box, compass much better. My tips:
1. Dont elevate it (up and down) too much, only slightly up from the horizontal - the biggest mistake is people point it up into the sky, as a guide look at your home dish.
2. You need to twist the LNB left and right a little bit to get all channels, so tune in more than one when setting it up.
3. Try all this at home, once you get these two channels - ITV2 and BBC then you are sorted. Make a note of the positions, with a bit of tippex, you can lock these with the screws, you are interested in the LNB side to side position, and the pointing into the sky elevation. Then when you get on site, set the dish up (get a tripod - its easier than sticking it onto the van) and simply move from left to right until the box beeps (you can get the box to emit a signal strength beep) when its locked on. You wont have to do the elevation thing again unless you go to the extreme ends of the country. When doing your at home dry run, dont settle for a mid range beep tone, go for the best signal you can as it makes a difference when the wind blows. You can then afford a little loss of signal without the dreaded blocks and audio cut out. Also not all channles will be the same strength, ITV and BBC use different frequencies, thats why I said get them both good signals to know you have covered the lot. Its so annoying to tune into BBC and then triumphantly walk into the van and cant watch x factor on ITV 2 and have the kids scream at you.
Also you must have line of sight with the sky, a tree will block the signal - thats why your home dish is on the roof. Be prepared for tree laden sites, to stick the dish on the roof of the van with the suckers. I stand on the steps and go through the roof light for mine. Easier said than done though... a tripod is only any good if there are no trees - the dish must be above any obstacle - including people walking by the van at night!!! You will become so sad and satellite driven that you will look for a pitch with a clear line of sight to the South East...!!
Practice makes perfect, you will truly believe yours is faulty at first, but its great when you finally do it. I just wish ch4 and 5 would go onto free to air then I wouldnt need to use an aerial at all!
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=48737&doy=3m8 <- here is the link to their (very good) instructions.
Its nice to watch local news wherever you are.
Just remember, its easy to lock onto the european Astra satellite, which isnt too far away from 28E (the one you want) - i did it once and got a load of topless women advertising german phone lines. Haha... Shame my mobile didnt get a signal!!
Post last edited on 21/01/2007 23:30:18
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