D A T A SH E E T
# 5 3 TV an d rad io re ce p tio n w h e n
to u rin g
#5 3
T V a n d ra d io re c e p tio n w h e n to u rin g
W h erev er you are it h as n ever been easier to pic k u p T V an d radio c h an n els from
you r c arav an , m otorh om e or c am pin g u n it. In addition to th e terrestrial broadc asts
w e h ave en joyed for m ore th an h alf a c en tu ry, w e also h av e th e option s of satellite
broadc asts an d tu n in g in via th e in tern et. T ypic ally a sign al an ten n a an d a rec eiver
w ill be requ ired w h eth er th is is v ia terrestrial aerial or satellite dish an d som e m ean s
of displayin g th e sign al su c h as a T V , som e T V 's m ay h av e th e rec eiver bu ilt-in or a
set top box w ill be requ ired.
B e n e fit fro m e xp e rt a d vice , re t a il d is co u n t s a n d m o n e y o ff p it ch n ig h t s t a ys w h e n yo u jo in t h e
C lu b .
T h e ke y a d va n t a g e o f s a t e llit e b ro a d ca s t s o ve r o t h e r m e a n s is t h e ir co ve ra g e in a n y g ive n
co u n t ry o r co u n t rie s a n d t h e s h e e r n u m b e r o f b ro a d ca s t s ca rrie d . In t h e U K a n d E u ro p e t h e s e ru n
in t o t h e t h o u s a n d s , if yo u a re p re p a re d t o p o in t yo u r d is h a t m o re t h a n o n e s a t e llit e .
B ro a d ca s t s o ve r t h e in t e rn e t ca n b e t ru ly g lo b a l, a lt h o u g h g e o g ra p h ic re s t rict io n s a re o ft e n
a p p lie d t o co m p ly w it h b ro a d ca s t in g rig h t s . T h is m e a n s it ca n b e d ifficu lt t o re ce ive p ro g ra m s in
co u n t rie s o t h e r t h a n t h o s e fo r w h ich t h e y w e re in t e n d e d . A n o t h e r co n s id e ra t io n is in t e rn e t
s p e e d s a n d d a t a u s a g e . St re a m in g vid e o ca n b e e xt re m e ly d a t a h u n g ry a n d t h e re fo re ca n b e
co s t ly.
T e rre st ria l b ro a d ca st s
T ra d it io n a lly T V a n d ra d io s ig n a ls h a ve b e e n b ro a d ca s t fro m n e t w o rks o f g ro u n d -b a s e d
t ra n s m it t e rs co ve rin g w h o le co u n t rie s .
In t h is D a t a Sh e e t t h e re a re t ip s o n h o w b e s t t o re ce ive yo u r
fa vo u rit e T V a n d ra d io p ro g ra m m e s w h e n t o u rin g in t h e U K a n d
a b ro a d . P ickin g u p a g o o d s ig n a l d e p e n d s o n h a vin g a s u it a b le
a e ria l a s w e ll a s b e in g w it h in ra n g e o f t h e t ra n s m it t e r.
G e n e ra lly s p e a kin g t h e h ig h e r t h e fre q u e n cy o f a t e rre s t ria l s ig n a l
t h e m o re it is like ly t o b e a b s o rb e d b y o b s t ru ct io n s s u ch a s
b u ild in g s a n d t re e s . A ls o t h e h ig h e r t h e fre q u e n cy t h e m o re
in fo rm a t io n t h e s ig n a l ca n ca rry. T V s ig n a ls in t h e U K a re b ro a d ca s t
a t u lt ra -h ig h fre q u e n cie s , o ft e n re q u irin g a d ire ct io n a l a e ria l t o b e
p o in t e d a t t h e t ra n s m it t e r.
R a d io b ro a d ca s t s o n t h e o t h e r h a n d ca n b e t ra n s m it t e d a t m u ch
lo w e r fre q u e n cie s , s u ch a s t h o s e fo u n d in t h e m e d iu m w a ve b a n d .
H e re a n a e ria l u s u a lly t a ke s t h e fo rm o f a co il w o u n d o n a fe rrit e
ro d h id d e n in s id e t h e ra d io . Y o u m a y n e e d t o ro t a t e t h e ra d io fo r
b e s t re ce p t io n b u t t h a t is a ll.
So m e w h e re in t h e m id d le lie s t h e V H F (ve ry h ig h fre q u e n cy) b a n d .
T h is is u s e d fo r FM a n d d ig it a l ra d io b ro a d ca s t s (D A B ) a n d n o rm a lly
re q u ire s a t le a s t a t e le s co p ic a e ria l fo r g o o d re ce p t io n .
R e c e iv in g a g o o d T V s ig n a l
T h e le is u re in d u s t ry is w e ll s e rve d w it h T V a e ria ls - m o s t n e w ca ra va n s a n d m o t o rh o m e s h a ve
h a d o n e a s s t a n d a rd e q u ip m e n t fo r m a n y ye a rs .
In it ia lly m o s t o f t h e s e w e re o m n id ire ct io n a l, m e a n in g t h e y p icke d u p s ig n a ls e q u a lly fro m a ll
d ire ct io n s a n d s o n e e d e d n o a d ju s t m e n t . In t h e d a ys o f a n a lo g u e t e le vis io n t h is co u ld le a d t o a
g h o s t ly lo o kin g p ict u re if t h e a e ria l p icke d u p a s ig n a l d ire ct ly a n d t h e n t h e s a m e s ig n a l w a s
re fle ct e d fro m a n e a rb y o b je ct a t in y fra ct io n o f a s e co n d la t e r.
T h e g ra d u a l s w it ch o ve r t o d ig it a l t e le vis io n w it h it s b e t t e r p ict u re q u a lit y b u t in it ia lly lo w
t ra n s m is s io n p o w e r e n co u ra g e d ca ra va n a n d m o t o rh o m e m a n u fa ct u re rs t o fit d ire ct io n a l a e ria ls
fo r t h e ir a b ilit y t o s h u t o u t u n w a n t e d s ig n a ls a n d d e live r a b e t t e r q u a lit y s ig n a l.
T h e S t at u s 3 1 5
o m n id irect io n al T V aerial is a D irect io n al aerials s u ch as
co m m o n s ig h t o n o ld er t h is o n e fro m S t at u s 5 3 0
caravan s an d m o t o rh o m es h ave larg ely rep laced t h e
o m n id irect io n al o n es W h ere a T V aerial is n o t a
s t an d ard fit it can b e q u it e
eas y t o u s e s o m et h in g like
t h is s elf- ad h es ive u n it fro m
Max view
W it h o n e o f t h e s e yo u n o t o n ly n e e d t o kn o w w h ich d ire ct io n t o a im fo r b u t a ls o w h e t h e r t h e
a e ria l's e le m e n t s n e e d t o b e ve rt ica l o r h o riz o n t a l, a cco rd in g t o t h e p o la ris a t io n o f t h e s ig n a l. T o
h e lp w it h t h is t h e C lu b h a s p ro d u ce d a h a n d y g u id e ca lle d T V A e ria l D ire ct io n a n d A d vice co ve rin g
t h e C lu b Sit e s (s e e in fo rm a t io n p a n e l).
L o o k a t t h e p o s it io n a n d a n g le o f a e ria ls o n b u ild in g s , o t h e r
ca ra va n s a n d m o t o rh o m e s o n s it e a n d s e e if yo u ca n m a t ch t h e m .
W it h o u t s u ch a g u id e yo u co u ld u s e o n e o f t h e m a n y s m a rt p h o n e
a p p s s u ch a s A n t e n n a A lig n e r o r Fre e p o in t t h a t in d ica t e w h e re t o
p o in t t h e a e ria l fo r b e s t re ce p t io n . E ve n t h e n t h e "a ll o r n o t h in g "
n a t u re o f d ig it a l s ig n a ls is s u ch t h a t a s ig n a l s t re n g t h m e t e r o f
s o m e fo rm is re a lly t h e b e s t w a y t o g e t a g o o d s ig n a l.
A s ig n al s t ren g t h m et er is a
If yo u a re in a s t ro n g s ig n a l a re a yo u m a y g e t a w a y w it h a n in d o o r b ig h elp in m ax im is in g t h e
s ig n al fro m t h e aerial
a e ria l b u t t h e s e t e n d t o b e in e ffe ct ive in s id e ca ra va n s a n d
m o t o rh o m e s w it h a lu m in iu m s id e s , a s t h e a lu m in iu m b lo cks t h e s ig n a l.
O n e o f t h e is s u e s w it h t e rre s t ria l T V w h e n t o u rin g is t h e n e e d t o re t u n e yo u r T V a s yo u m o ve
fro m o n e a re a t o a n o t h e r. T h is is b e ca u s e a d ja ce n t t ra n s m it t e rs u s e d iffe re n t fre q u e n cie s s o a s
n o t t o in t e rfe re w it h e a ch o t h e r.
R e t u n in g is n o t a b ig is s u e w it h m o d e rn T V s a s m o s t w ill fin d a n d s t o re s t a t io n s a u t o m a t ica lly,
b u t o n ly o n ce yo u h a ve fo u n d t h e m e n u it e m t h a t t e lls t h e m t o d o s o .
D ig it a l t ra n s m is s io n s ca n ca rry lo t s o f s ig n a ls o n a s in g le fre q u e n cy. T h e p ro ce s s t h a t m a ke s t h is
p o s s ib le is kn o w n a s m u lt ip le xin g o r m u xin g a n d t h e re s u lt in g s ig n a l is re fe rre d t o a s a M U X . T h e
s ig n a l ca n in clu d e m u lt ip le T V a n d ra d io ch a n n e ls , t e xt s e rvice s a n d e le ct ro n ic p ro g ra m m e g u id e
in fo rm a t io n .
T h e fu ll Fre e vie w s e rvice in t h e U K u s e s s ix m u lt ip le xe s . T h re e o f
t h e s e a re d e s ig n a t e d fo r P u b lic Se rvice B ro a d ca s t s (P SB ) a n d
in clu d e t h e m a in B B C a n d IT V ch a n n e ls . T h e re m a in in g t h re e a re
d e s ig n a t e d C o m m e rcia l (C O M ) a n d ca rry a ll t h e o t h e r ch a n n e ls .
In a d d it io n t o t h e p rim a ry t ra n s m it t in g m a s t s , t h e re a re a la rg e
n u m b e r o f s m a lle r o n e s , kn o w n a s re la y s t a t io n s , d e s ig n e d t o
p ro vid e co ve r in t h o s e a re a s w h e re t h e p rim a ry m a s t s d o n o t re a ch ,
T h is aerial h as b een t u rn ed
p e rh a p s b e ca u s e o f t e rra in is s u e s . t o t h e vert ical p o s it io n t o
p ick u p a relay s t at io n
W h ile t h e p rim a ry t ra n s m it t e rs ca rry a ll s ix m u lt ip le xe s b y d e fa u lt ,
it is u p t o t h e o p e ra t o rs o f t h e re la y t ra n s m it t e rs t o d e cid e w h ich , if a n y, o f t h e re la y s t a t io n s
w ill d o s o . So fa r n o n e h a s d o n e s o .
A n o t h e r in t e re s t in g p o in t a b o u t re la y s t a t io n s is t h a t t h e s ig n a ls fro m t h e m a re n o rm a lly
ve rt ica lly p o la ris e d t o a vo id in t e rfe re n ce w it h t h e p rim a ry t ra n s m it t e rs , w h ich u s u a lly h a ve
h o riz o n t a l p o la ris a t io n .
S a te llite b ro a d c a s ts
Sa t e llit e -b a s e d b ro a d ca s t s h a ve re vo lu t io n is e d T V a n d ra d io
re ce p t io n b y m a kin g it a va ila b le t h ro u g h o u t t h e U K . T o p a ck in t h e
h u g e a m o u n t o f d a t a n e e d e d t o m a ke s a t e llit e b ro a d ca s t in g
w o rt h w h ile , e xt re m e ly h ig h fre q u e n cie s a re u s e d , t yp ica lly in t h e
ra n g e 1 0 ,0 0 0 t o 1 3 ,0 0 0 M H z . R e ce p t io n re q u ire s a s u it a b le d is h ,
e q u ip p e d w it h a L o w -N o is e B lo ck d o w n co n ve rt e r (L N B ) a n d p o in t e d
Ju s t s o m e o f t h e m an y
a ccu ra t e ly a t t h e s a t e llit e . s at ellit es vis ib le fro m t h e
U K . T h e s at ellit e h ig h lig h t ed
in yello w is A s t ra 2 , w h ich
carries m an y U K ch an n els
A t t h e s e fre q u e n cie s t h e ra d io s ig n a l b e h a ve s a s a b e a m o f lig h t .
If a n yt h in g s o lid s u ch a s a t re e o r b u ild in g g e t s in t h e lin e o f s ig h t
b e t w e e n t h e re ce ivin g d is h a n d t h e s a t e llit e t h e d is h w ill n o t b e
a b le t o "s e e " t h e s ig n a l. H e a vy ra in o r ve ry t h ick clo u d ca n a ls o
w e a ke n t h e s ig n a l t o t h e p o in t w h e re re ce p t io n m a y n o t b e
p o s s ib le .
C h a n g e s m a d e in Fe b ru a ry 2 0 1 4 h a ve
m e a n t t h a t t h e m a in U K ch a n n e ls
n o w h a ve a s lig h t ly s t ro n g e r a n d
A t yp ical L N B u s ed fo r
m o re e ve n s ig n a l o ve r t h e U K a n d p ickin g u p s at ellit e s ig n als .
Ire la n d . T h is is g o o d n e w s fo r t h o s e T h is o n e h as t w in o u t p u t s
w h o like t o t ra ve l t o t h e fa r co rn e rs
o f t h e B rit is h Is le s a s a 4 5 cm d is h is
n o w s u fficie n t w h e re ve r yo u a re . T h e d ark b lu e area s h o w s
w h ere a 4 5 cm d is h can b e
A n o t h e r a d va n t a g e is t h a t s m a lle r u s ed t o receive t h e U K � s
s at ellit e s ig n als (Im ag e
d is h e s a re e a s ie r t o a im . L a rg e co u rt es y S E S /A s t ra)
d is h e s t e n d t o b e ve ry d ire ct io n
s e n s it ive , a m o ve m e n t o f h a lf a d e g re e b e in g e n o u g h t o lo s e t h e s ig n a l.
T y p e s o f d is h
M a n u a lly o p e ra te d - t a b le /t rip o d o r ro o f m o u n t
T h e s im p le s t a n d ch e a p e s t d is h e s a re m a n u a lly o p e ra t e d . T a b le a n d t rip o d -m o u n t e d d is h e s a re
lig h t a n d e a s y t o m o ve a ro u n d fo r b e s t re ce p t io n .
T h e Mu lt im o is a h ig h g ain
d is h eq u ally at h o m e o n a
s m all t ab le o r t rip o d
T h is is t h e co n t ro l fo r a
m an u ally- o p erat ed d is h o n
t h e ro o f o f a m o t o rh o m e
Max view 's 5 5 cm Precis io n
d is h co n t ain s it s o w n
s at ellit e fin d er an d is eas y
t o s et u p
W it h a m a n u a l d is h s o m e fo rm o f s a t e llit e fin d in g d e vice w ill p ro ve ve ry u s e fu l, if n o t e s s e n t ia l.
Sm a rt p h o n e a p p s s u ch a s D is h P o in t e r ca n g ive yo u a g o o d id e a o f w h e re t o a im a s w e ll a s
h e lp in g t o e s t a b lis h if a n y o b s t a cle s m ig h t b e o b s cu rin g t h e lin e o f s ig h t .
T h e s im p le s t fin d e rs co n t a in a ro w o f L E D s t o s h o w t h e s t re n g t h o f t h e s ig n a l b e in g re ce ive d .
T h e m o re lit , t h e s t ro n g e r t h e s ig n a l. T h e re m a y a ls o b e a s o u n d e r t h a t in cre a s e s in p it ch a s a
s ig n a l is fo u n d . T h is is u s e fu l a s yo u d o n o t h a ve t o ke e p lo o kin g a t t h e fin d e r b u t t h e n o is e m a y
ju s t d is t u rb a n e a rb y n e ig h b o u r.
T h e o n e p ro b le m w it h t h is t yp e o f d e vice is t h a t it d o e s n o t t e ll
yo u w h ich s a t e llit e it h a s fo u n d . If yo u g e t t h e w ro n g o n e yo u
p ro b a b ly w ill n o t b e a b le t o p ick u p a n yt h in g a s t h e re ce ive r w ill
n o t b e t u n e d fo r t h a t s a t e llit e . A co m m o n m is t a ke is t o co n fu s e
A s t ra 1 a s 1 9 .2 d e g re e s e a s t w it h A s t ra 2 a t 2 8 .2 d e g re e s e a s t .
W h e n t h is h a p p e n s , m o vin g t h e d is h t o t h e le ft a n d d o w n a b it
u s u a lly d o e s t h e t rick.
S at ellit e fin d ers d o n o t
Sp e n d a lit t le m o re a n d yo u w ill g e t co m e an y s im p ler t h an t h is
s o m e t h in g like H o riz o n 's N a n o Sa t . o n e fro m Max view
Y o u t e ll it w h ich s a t e llit e yo u w a n t
a n d it t e lls yo u w h ich w a y t o m o ve
t h e d is h a n d g ive s yo u a n in d ica t io n
o f h o w clo s e yo u a re .
T h o s e w h o d o n o t en jo y
p layin g w it h t ech n o lo g y
m ig h t like t h e N an o S at
fin d er as it t ells yo u w h ich
w ay t o t u rn t h e d is h (in t h is
cas e left ). W h en t h e
s at ellit e is fo u n d it p lays a
lit t le t u n e
S e lf-s e e k in g
A s e lf-s e e kin g d is h is p e rh a p s t h e u lt im a t e lu xu ry, a lt h o u g h e xp e n s ive a t a ro u n d £ 2 ,0 0 0 . M o s t
a re d e s ig n e d fo r ro o f m o u n t in g a lt h o u g h t rip o d t yp e s a re a va ila b le . T h e s a t e llit e s a re lo ca t e d in
a b e lt s o m e 2 2 ,2 3 6 m ile s a b o ve t h e e q u a t o r. T h is m e a n s t h e y o rb it o n ce p e r d a y, m a kin g t h e m
a p p e a r s t a t io n a ry w h e n s e e n fro m e a rt h . V ie w e d fro m t h e n o rt h e rn h e m is p h e re , t h e s a t e llit e s
fo rm a n a rc in t h e s o u t h e rn s ky w it h t h e h ig h e s t p o in t d u e s o u t h .
D is h es h id d en u n d er d o m es s p read t h eir
w eig h t acro s s t h e ro o f an d can b e u s ed T h is s q u are d is h fro m O ys t er S at ellit e is
d u rin g h ig h w in d s . T h ey are id eal fo r U K flat an d fo ld s d o w n t o ju s t 1 3 cm (5 in )
t o u rin g h ig h . It is t h e eq u ivalen t o f a 5 0 cm o ffs et
d is h b u t p u t s u p m u ch les s w in d
res is t an ce, m akin g it s u it ab le fo r caravan
ro o f m o u n t in g
S a te llite re c e iv e rs
It is b e co m in g in cre a s in g ly co m m o n fo r T V s a im e d a t
t h e le is u re m a rke t t o h a ve a s a t e llit e re ce ive r b u ilt in
b u t t h e re a re p le n t y o f s e t -t o p -b o x re ce ive rs fo r u s e
w it h t h o s e w it h o u t . T h e y fa ll in t o t h re e b a s ic
ca t e g o rie s - fre e t o a ir, Fre e s a t a n d Sky.
T h is 6 5 cm fo ld in g d is h fro m Max view is
fu lly au t o m at ic an d w ell s u it ed t o u s e in
m ain lan d E u ro p e
F re e to air F re e sat S ky
2 0 0 U K ch a n n e ls in clu d in g D A B 1 4 0 U K ch a n n e ls in clu d in g D A B
F u ll U K a n d lim ite d E u ro p e a n co v e ra g e
ra d io ra d io
H D v e rs io n s a v a ila b le H D v e rs io n s a v a ila b le S u b s crip tio n n e e d e d fo r e n cry p te d ch a n n e ls
Tw in L N B n e e d e d fo r re co rd in g a n d H D
1 2 V a n d 2 3 0 V o p e ra tio n 1 2 V a n d 2 3 0 V o p e ra tio n
fa cilitie s
2 3 0 V o p e ra tio n o n ly
So m e fre e -t o -a ir b o xe s ca n b e q u it e co m p lica t e d t o s e t u p s o , if yo u t h in k t h is m a y b e a p ro b le m
fo r yo u , g o fo r a Fre e s a t -b a s e d b o x. Y o u w ill g e t a ll t h e m a in U K ch a n n e ls in a u s e r-frie n d ly
p a cka g e b u t o t h e r fre e -t o -a ir ch a n n e ls m a y n o t b e s o e a s y t o p ick u p .
Max view 's free- t o - air
receiver can b e m o u n t ed
o u t o f s ig h t in a cu p b o ard
an d co n t ro lled u s in g a
rem o t e s en s o r
F rees at b o x es , s u ch as t h is
o n e fro m G ru n d ig , are eas y
t o s et u p
T V a n d ra d io v ia th e in te rn e t
T h o u s a n d s o f T V a n d ra d io s t a t io n s n o w s t re a m t h e ir o u t p u t o n t h e in t e rn e t b u t b ro a d ca s t rig h t s
is s u e s m a y re s t rict a cce s s t o ce rt a in co u n t rie s . If yo u w ill n o t b e g o in g o u t s id e t h e U K a n d a re
o n ly in t e re s t e d in U K b ro a d ca s t s t h is w ill n o t b e a p ro b le m .
H o w e ve r t h e d o w n s id e t o w a t ch in g vid e o co n t e n t o ve r t h e in t e rn e t is t h e re la t ive ly fa s t
co n n e ct io n s p e e d s a n d h ig h d a t a u s a g e re q u ire d . Fo r e xa m p le s t a n d a rd d e fin it io n (SD ) vid e o
re q u ire s a b o u t 2 -3 M b p s a n d w ill co n s u m e a ro u n d 2 G B o f yo u r d a t a a llo w a n ce p e r h o u r.
If yo u d o n o t h a ve a s m a rt T V yo u ca n p u rch a s e s t re a m e rs t h a t w ill p lu g in t o a n H D M I s o cke t o n
yo u r T V a n d co n n e ct a w ire le s s ro u t e r t o a cce s s t h e in t e rn e t . Y o u ca n t h e n s t re a m vid e o u s in g
yo u r p h o n e , t a b le t , la p t o p o r a d e d ica t e d re m o t e . So m e co m e w it h in b u ilt a p p s s u ch a s iP la ye r,
N e t flix, Sky N o w a n d Y o u T u b e .
T h e re la t ive ly s m a ll a m o u n t o f d a t a re q u ire d fo r a d ig it a l ra d io s ig n a l m e a n s yo u d o n o t n e e d a
fa s t in t e rn e t co n n e ct io n s o re ce p t io n o n m o s t W iFi-e q u ip p e d ca m p s it e s s h o u ld n o t b e a p ro b le m .
Fo r e xa m p le lis t e n in g t o a s t a t io n b ro a d ca s t in g a t 1 2 8 kb p s w ill co n s u m e a ro u n d 5 5 M B p e r h o u r.
A s a n a lt e rn a t ive t o lis t e n in g via a P C o r t a b le t yo u ca n p u rch a s e a W iFi ra d io t h a t w ill d o t h e
jo b fo r yo u .
M a k in g th e m o s t o f y o u r re c e p tio n
Fo r t h e b e s t T V re ce p t io n it p a ys t o in ve s t in g o o d q u a lit y ca b le a n d co n n e ct o rs a n d ke e p t h e
n u m b e r o f co n n e ct o rs t o a m in im u m . T h is is p a rt icu la rly im p o rt a n t w it h s a t e llit e T V w h e re e a ch
co n n e ct o r ca n le a d t o a s m a ll a t t e n u a t io n in t h e s ig n a l.
R e ce p t io n fro m t e rre s t ria l a e ria ls ca n b e g re a t ly im p ro ve d u s in g a s ig n a l b o o s t e r. T h e s e w o rk
fro m a 1 2 V s u p p ly a n d u s e o n ly a ve ry s m a ll a m o u n t o f cu rre n t , t yp ica lly 5 0 m A . A s ig n a l b o o s t e r
m a y a ls o a llo w yo u t o fe e d m o re t h a n o n e T V a t o n ce .
It is p o s s ib le t o b u y s ig n a l b o o s t e rs fo r s a t e llit e re ce p t io n b u t t h e y t e n d n o t t o im p ro ve t h e
q u a lit y o f t h e s ig n a l, ju s t it s s t re n g t h .
In s t e a d t h e a n s w e r is t o in ve s t in a t o p q u a lit y L N B , h a vin g a s ig n a l t o n o is e ra t io o f 0 .2 d B o r
le s s .
If yo u a re s t ru g g lin g t o re ce ive a g o o d W iFi s ig n a l, b o o s t e rs ca n a g a in h e lp . T h e s e p lu g in t o a
U SB p o rt o n yo u r co m p u t e r a n d t a ke t h e p la ce o f a n y in t e rn a l W iFi a d a p t e r t h a t m ig h t b e
p re s e n t .
R e c e iv in g E n g lis h b ro a d c a s ts w h ile to u rin g
in C o n tin e n ta l E u ro p e
T h e re a re t w o p ra ct ica l o p t io n s fo r t h o s e s t a yin g o n ca m p s it e s o n m a in la n d E u ro p e , s a t e llit e a n d
in t e rn e t T V .
V ia sa te llite
T h e s it u a t io n fo r re ce ivin g U K b ro a d ca s t s w h ile a b ro a d is m u ch le s s ro s y t h a n it u s e d t o b e . N e w
s a t e llit e s in t ro d u ce d in Fe b ru a ry 2 0 1 4 h a ve m u ch t ig h t e r U K fo o t p rin t s t h a n t h o s e t h e y re p la ce d .
T h is m e a n s it is ve ry d ifficu lt o r im p o s s ib le t o re ce ive t h e m a in B B C o r IT V s t a t io n s o u t s id e
n o rt h e rn Fra n ce a n d B e lg iu m .
T h e re is , h o w e ve r, a p a n -E u ro p e a n t ra n s p o n d e r co ve rin g m u ch o f W e s t e rn E u ro p e a n d ca rryin g a
n u m b e r o f E n g lis h fre e -t o -a ir T V a n d ra d io ch a n n e ls . A t t h e t im e o f w rit in g , T V ch a n n e ls in clu d e
Sky N e w s , A ris e N e w s , C N N , E u ro N e w s , H o rs e a n d C o u n t ry T V a n d In fo rm a t io n T V a lo n g w it h
m o vie a n d s h o p p in g ch a n n e ls . R a d io ch a n n e ls in clu d e C la s s ic FM , G o ld , H e a rt , K is s , Sm o o t h
R a d io a n d L B C N e w s .
Y o u s h o u ld b e a b le t o re ce ive ch a n n e ls o n t h e p a n -E u ro p e a n b e a m w it h a 6 0 cm d is h a s fa r s o u t h
a s M a d rid a n d a s fa r t o t h e e a s t a s M u n ich .
Sky's s u b s crip t io n ch a n n e ls a re a ls o o n t h e p a n -E u ro p e a n t ra n s p o n d e r b u t yo u w ill n e e d a Sky
b o x a n d a s u b s crip t io n t ie d t o a U K o r R O I a d d re s s t o re ce ive t h e m .
It is a ls o w o rt h n o t in g t h a t B B C W o rld N e w s is a va ila b le fro m A s t ra
1 a t 1 9 .2 d e g re e s e a s t , a s is t h e B B C 's W o rld Se rvice ch a n n e l.
V ia th e in te rn e t
A s p re vio u s ly s t a t e d , yo u w ill n e e d a n in t e rn e t co n n e ct io n o f a t
le a s t 2 -3 M b p s (fo r SD T V ) a n d a g e n e ro u s d a t a a llo w a n ce b u t , if
A s t ra's p an - E u ro p ean
yo u h a ve t h e s e , yo u co u ld b e in b u s in e s s . T h e B B C 's iP la ye r a p p b eam s . T h e d ark b lu e area
s h o w s w h ere recep t io n is
a llo w s t h e u s e o f t h e a u d io s e rvice s b u t t e le vis io n is re s t rict e d . p o s s ib le w it h a 6 0 cm d is h
T h e iP la ye r's FA Q s e ct io n h a s a lis t o f u p -t o -d a t e s e rvice a va ila b le (Im ag e co u rt es y S E S /A s t ra)
w h ile o u t s id e t h e U K .
T h e re a re o t h e r w a ys a ro u n d IP re s t rict io n s b u t m o s t in vo lve s u b s crib in g t o a s e rvice w h e re b y
yo u co n n e ct t o a U K w e b s it e via a V P N s e rve r. A lt e rn a t ive ly yo u co u ld co n s id e r u s in g a d e vice
s u ch a s t h e Slin g b o x, w h ich yo u in s t a ll a t h o m e a lo n g s id e yo u r e xis t in g T V s e t -u p . W h e n yo u a re
a w a y t h e Slin g b o x ca n b e s e t -u p t o s t re a m vid e o a n d a u d io via t h e in t e rn e t s o yo u ca n re ce ive it
w h e re ve r yo u a re .
Y o u ca n a ls o re m o t e ly co n t ro l yo u r ca b le o r s a t e llit e re ce ive r a n d d ig it a l vid e o re co rd e r fro m a n
in t e rn e t -co n n e ct e d P C , s m a rt p h o n e o r t a b le t .
M o re in fo rm a tio n
w w w .m [Link] .u k/h e lp a n d a d vice /t e ch n ica lh e lp /t e le vis io n -a e ria l-
a d vice /
Fre e sa t
w w w .fre e s a t .co .u k
Sa t e llit e fo o t p rin t s a n d t h e ch a n n e ls a va ila b le -
w w w .u kfre e .t v/e xt ra s /s a t e llit e _ fo o t p rin t s
D ish P o in te r
w w w .d is h p o in t e [Link] m
W h en cam p in g in h eavily
U s e fu l co n t a ct s w o o d ed areas T V aerial
recep t io n m ay b e p o o r an d
M a xvie w L t d w w w .m a xvie w .co .u k ch an g in g p o laris at io n fro m
h o riz o n t al t o vert ical w o n 't
m ake it b et t er
R o a d p ro L t d w w w .ro a d p ro .co .u k
V is io n P lu s (s t a t u s a e ria ls ) w w w .vis io n p lu s .co .u k
If yo u h a ve fe e d b a ck o n o u r n e w fo rm a t D a ta sh e e t, p le a se le t u s kn o w , u sin g o u r sh o rt
Fe e d b a ck Fo rm .
G lo ssa ry
DAB
Dig it a l A ud io Bro a d c a s t ing . A t e c hno lo g y us e d b y ra d io s t a t io ns in s e v e ra l c o unt rie s a c ro s s Euro p e a nd a ls o in t he
A s ia P a c ific re g io n.
FM
F re q ue nc y M o d ula t io n. It is us e d t o b ro a d c a s t hig h q ua lit y a na lo g ue t ra ns mis s io ns .
IP address
A uniq ue s t ring o f numb e rs s e p a ra t e d b y full s t o p s t ha t id e nt ifie s e a c h c o mp ut e r us ing t he Int e rne t P ro t o c o l t o
c o mmunic a t e o v e r a ne t w o rk. T he p ub lic IP a d d re s s us e d b y a c o mp ut e r c o nne c t e d t o t he int e rne t c a n id e nt ify
t he c o unt ry a nd a re a in w hic h it is lo c a t e d .
LN B
Lo w - No is e Blo c k d o w nc o nv e rt e r. T his is t he re c e iv ing d e v ic e o n a s a t e llit e d is h t ha t c o lle c t s t he ra d io w a v e s fro m
t he d is h, a nd d o w nc o nv e rt s t he m t o a lo w e r fre q ue nc y b lo c k o f int e rme d ia t e fre q ue nc ie s fo r p a s s ing t o t he
s a t e llit e re c e iv e r.
MW
M e d ium W a v e b a nd , In Euro p e t his is d e fine d a s 526.5kHz t o 1,606.5kHz a nd is us e d ma inly fo r a na lo g ue ra d io
t ra ns mis s io ns
M ultiplexin g
A ls o kno w n a s muxing , is a p ro c e s s w he re b y mult ip le s ig na ls o r d ig it a l d a t a s t re a ms a re c o mb ine d int o o ne s ig na l
o v e r a s ha re d me d ium.
M UX
A mult ip le x o f s ig na ls o n a s ing le fre q ue nc y .
SD
S t a nd a rd De finit io n v id e o , t y p ic a lly c o nt a ining 576 line s o f int e rla c e d re s o lut io n.
HD
Hig h De finit io n v id e o , us ua lly a minimum o f 720 line s o f d e finit io n b ut ma y b e up t o 1,440.
HD
Hig h De finit io n v id e o , us ua lly a minimum o f 720 line s o f d e finit io n b ut ma y b e up t o 1,440.
TVI
T V Int e rfe re nc e . No t t he p ro b le m it w a s in t he d a y s o f a na lo g ue T V b ut 4G p ho ne ma s t s c a n p o s e a p ro b le m. A e ria l
filt e rs a re a v a ila b le t o he lp .
VH F
V e ry Hig h F re q ue nc y . De fine d a s fre q ue nc ie s in t he ra ng e 30M Hz t o 300M Hz a nd us e d fo r F M a nd d ig it a l ra d io
b ro a d c a s t s .
UHF
Ult ra Hig h F re q ue nc y . De fine d a s s ig na ls in t he ra ng e 300M Hz t o 3GHz . (T V t ra ns mis s io ns in t he UK o p e ra t e in t he
ra ng e 470 t o 853M Hz .)
VPN
A V irt ua l P riv a t e Ne t w o rk is a t e c hno lo g y t ha t c re a t e s a s e c ure ne t w o rk c o nne c t io n o v e r a p ub lic ne t w o rk s uc h a s
t he Int e rne t o r a p riv a t e ne t w o rk.
C o n ta cts
W eb: T h e C a m p in g a n d C a ra va n n in g C lu b
T he C a mp ing a nd C a ra v a nning C lub
Gre e nfie ld s Ho us e ,
W estw ood W ay
C o v e nt ry
C V 4 8JH
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