Where are the satellites? | | 
| Imagine you are out in space, looking down on the Earth. | | The yellow blobs represent three of the satellites which transmit TV programmes back down to earth. Hot Bird at 13 degrees east of the Prime Meridian, Astra-1 at 19.2 degrees and Astra-2 at 28.2 degrees for Sky Digital and other English language programmes. They are 22300 miles above the African equator. See map below. The numbers refer to the angles measured from the centre of the Earth between a line passing through 0 degrees on the Prime Meridian (off the African coast) and another line from the centre of the Earth and passing through each satellite. |  | | Here are the satellites sitting 22300 miles above the equator. The azimuth angle is NOT the compass angle, although, as the UK is very close to the Prime Meridian line of 0 degrees, the compass angle is often a reasonable approximation if you are in the UK. Elsewhere it's not true, as you can see from the map. Look at Vatican City in Italy. Hot Bird (at 13 degrees) is actually directly south of the Vatican so pointing your dish 13 degrees east of south on your compass will miss the satellite by thousands of miles! | What is Elevation? | | 
| | The elevation angle of a satellite is the angle measured between the horizon as you see it and a line drawn between you and the satellite. Because the Earth is round, the angles in the UK are typically 20 to 26 degrees. In Europe 26 to 36 degrees and, of course, if you are standing on the Equator in Africa, the satellites are almost directly above you at 90 degrees. Use an az/el calculator to determine the satellite location relative to your lat/long position. You can get your lat/longitude by typing in your postcode here: http://www.multimap.com Use it in this elevation calculator for Astra 2A Note: the excellent elevation calculator at http://www.hansa-electronic.com/satcalceng.asp seems to have gone but you can still access the Google cached version by clicking HERE or HERE. Alternatively, use this one (if still there!)
http://www.hollsco.com/Products/SatCalc/index.asp If you are in the UK, there's a good one HERE |
©2004 SatCure Send this page address - CLICK HERE - to a friend ! | 
| Understanding Sky Digital TV This FREE 65 page eBook is available for download in the form of a ".pdf" file which you can then read on screen or print out . Everything you need to know about Sky Digital (with details of Free To View etc.) Understanding Sky Digital TV (about 730k file size) Updated January 7, 2004 FREE eBook to download Click HERE for details | | 
| Installing Sky Digital TV Companion eBook to the above "Understanding..". Self installation information. Essential reading if you want to move your old system to a new house, install a brand new Sky-Plus or standard system, fit a system to your house, apartment block, motorhome, caravan or narrow boat or use it in Europe, this eBook answers your questions. What size dish, what sort of cable, connectors, which receiver is best for outside the UK, how to align dish, How to disguise the dish and special disguised dishes such as the digiglobe ... 120+ page eBook filled with colour photographs and easy-to-understand explanations. I guarantee you'll be delighted with this amazing eBook full of information!
Not convinced? OK, read more about it here. | | 
| The Freeview Bible Everything you need to know about installing a Freeview box to receive Terrestrial Digital TV programmes in the UK. Installation guide - Details of many receivers
- What aerial to use and how to choose it
- Installing an aerial and cable
- 45 pages
OK, read more about it here. |
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