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Sky Satellite
Abroad (Europe etc)
Information?
Last
Updated 30 January 2013
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General
Information
To receive the UK TV channels outside the UK a
larger satellite dish may be required, as a guide the further you go from
the UK, the larger the dish required. The maps below show the
approximate dish sizes for various locations,
NB: the Astra 2D beam that
broadcasts BBC, ITV etc is shown as a tight beam over the UK, this beam
was replaced with the Astra2N satellite which is also being replaced in 2013. This may
affect the signals for customers receiving Sky abroad, for the latest
news on signal changes in 2013 see: http://www.astra2d.com/
We
always suggest that you seek the advice of a local fitter who will be able
to give the
exact dish size required.
Receiver Options
Once the dish size has been determined there are
3 types of satellite receiver that can be used:
1) A BBC
Freesat Receiver: These receivers will provide approx 140 UK channels
without subscribing to Sky or paying any further fees. They are ideal as a
receiver for free channels but do need a strong satellite signal to
operate correctly.
2) A Technomate
receiver: These receivers have been specially pre-programmed by us to receive approx
300 free UK channels without subscribing to Sky or paying any further
fees. These free channels include most of the BBC Freesat and Sky digital
channels including BBC, ITV, Channels 4 & 5 etc. The receiver also
have a useful built in meter which will assist when aligning the satellite
dish. They are easy to use and reasonably priced but will not accept a Sky
subscription card, ideal for anyone just requiring the free UK TV channels
or for touring.
3) A Sky
receiver: There are two main types of Sky receiver which are currently available
the HD Sky Digibox or Sky Plus HD
receiver, the general idea from Sky is that the Sky Plus HD receiver can
also be used as
an all purpose receiver (Sky HD, Sky + or Std Digibox). You are not
obliged to subscribe to the HD pack (Currently £10 per month), the
telephone connection is not compulsory, if you do not require the
recording facility (Free when taking out a subscription) then the receiver
can be used as a std non recordable digibox. The following information is based on using
a Sky Receiver as this is by far the most complicated of the three
receivers. NB: Most Sky receivers are sent to UK addresses, unless it is a
genuine unsubsidised Sky receiver, these can be sent anywhere in the
world.
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Free UK TV and Radio Channels.
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What Free Channels will I get?
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You can get these
non-subscription channels free with a Sky receiver. You may need a Sky
Freesat card to view some of these channels (this currently applies to
Channel 4, Five, Fiver, Five US and Sky Three).
Free
Channel listings (No subscription required)
What About Channel 5?.
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If
using a Sky receiver then BBC1,
BBC2 & ITV are broadcast in the clear but Channels 4 & 5 can only be
viewed with a Sky Freesat card or as part of a Sky subscription
package which start from approx £20.00 per
month. To obtain a subscription
telephone us on 01225 709991 or Sky on 08442 414141 please note the subscription cards are only sent to UK addresses. We
do not charge our customers extortionate amounts of money for arranging a
card the subscriptions are the same price that Sky charge. |
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Can I also Get Sky Movies, Sports ETC?
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To obtain a Sky subscription card you will
be asked to fill in a Sky agreement form and enter your UK address and UK bank
account for the monthly payments. When using your own receiver, Sky refer to this as a second contract. For the latest Sky subscription packages, prices etc go to Sky.
The cards can be activated from anywhere that receives the satellite
signal. Please bear in mind that Sky cards are issued on the understanding
that they will be used in the UK and are therefore only sent to UK
addresses. |
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Activating your
subscription card
Once the receiver has been installed insert the Sky card into the slot at
the front of the receiver and telephone Sky. They will ask for
the serial number and version number of the receiver plus the viewing card
number. To obtain these
details go to the "Services" menu, then "System
Setup", then "System Details", in this menu all the
information required will be displayed on the screen.
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How far are the Sky signals broadcast?
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Generally speaking most of
Europe, although the further South you go the larger the dish required. The satellites are called Astra 2a, 2b &
2d and are all located in the same position at 28 degrees East of
South.
Shown below are the 3 main
satellite beams which show the dish sizes required, the sizes shown are
usually the largest dish size required, to be exact it is always best to
ask a local fitter in your region. They will have expert local knowledge
and can advise on the precise size of dish required to receive BBC, ITV
etc.
Astra
2 Footprints (copyright SES Astra)
Astra 2 North Beam
CH4, E4, Five, Sky Movie channels, Granada channels,
British Eurosport, National Geographic, Sci-Fi channel...
Astra 2 South Beam
Welsh CH4, TCM (movies), Sky Sports, Cartoon Network,
Sky News, ITV News, CNN News, BBC Radios 2 & 4 FM,
Most "UKTV" channels (UK Gold etc.), Most Discovery channels...
Astra 2D (UK) Beam
BBC TV channels, BBC Radios 1, 3, 4 LW & 5
ITV TV channels, ITV 2, Disney channels...
Useful
Calculator for pointing satellite dish
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What Receiver will I need?
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Satellite
Receivers
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Sky HD Receiver
The Sky HD box contains
the Sky+ PVR functions which will enable you to record, rewind and pause
live broadcasts. For further details see: Sky HD
The HD receiver can be supplied complete with 4 output LNB to allow for 2
feeds from the satellite dish to the receiver.
These receivers are now being used to replace the Std and Sky Plus
receivers, the £10 payment per month for the HD facilities is now
optional, also they can be used as a std Sky receiver by not requesting
the recording facilities be switched on.
NB: The free HD channels can still be viewed without having to pay Sky a
monthly fee.
Std Sky Receiver
Basic Sky receiver with HD
facilities.
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Sky HD
Further
Details
Receiver Prices |
Alternative
Offer
For free Sky and BBC Freesat channels in one receiver see our Technomate3000D Specially
programmed for Freesat. These can be supplied to UK or Abroad and are
suitable for free channels only (A Sky card cannot be used for
subscriptions etc) |
Technomate 3000
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Dishes
NB:
One question we are frequently asked "Is it legal to purchase
an unsubsidised receiver for use abroad?" the answer is yes. Although
they are the same receiver as those supplied in the UK these receivers
have been purchased at a higher price to allow for payment of any Sky
subsidies which may be owed. Because they are purchased outright you may
use them wherever you wish. It is the Sky cards that can only be sent to
UK addresses.
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Delivery Details
Prices include
VAT
UK mainland:
Next day sent via 24 hour courier.
Europe: We can deliver direct to any country, prices are approx
£20 -
£40 Most deliveries are sent via Parcelforce 48 hour Euro service or DHL.
Please contact us for special
quantity rates.
To order please go to our Secure
Shopping Cart
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