The New Astra Satellite has started Transmission

[montgolfiere]

It has beeen reported that the Astra 1N Satellite has arrived at 28.2 East (the Astra2 Cluster) and has started transmissions on the tight FTA Footprint adding more capacity to the Astra2D Satellite. It will be situated there (temporarily) until the Astra 2 Satellites are replaced over the next 2/3 years. This is of interest to us here as there were concerns as to how 'Tight' the Footprint would be and if this would affect Reception. The first reports are that, if anything, the signal is stronger. However the is always the chance that thing may change over the coming days......
And exactly what the situation will be with the new Astra 2 Replacements is still unknown. But Hopefully the Status Quo will be maintained!
The Skyman
www.british-tv-in-france.co.uk

[montgolfiere]

there is no some doubt as to whether the Testing done so far has been done using the 'tight' beam....so we will need to keep watching this carefully.
The Skyman

[montgolfiere]

Some channels have now moved on to the new satellite and the reports are that if anything the signal is better.
C4 HD was the first.... the extra 5 channels should be FTA by the 8/12.
The Skyman

[peter]

Link to BBC information :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/ ... -sat.shtml

The switch over is scheduled for 24-2-2012 and there are concerns for expats in some more distant countries about a more UK focussed beam resulting in a changed footprint giving problems for some viewers.

Link to maps : http://www.astra2d.com/maps1n.html

The difference is



Note the dish sizes, and the effect on, say, Cyprus or South Spain who currently need 2.4m dishes.

[montgolfiere]

Actually Astra 1 N has been broadcasting since November with many of the FTA Channels already transferred and viewable in our part of the world. It is just that there will be another transfer over from 2D this week with many BBC Channels moving over.
The perceived wisdom so far is that 1N is in fact a stronger signal than 2 D with reports from Spain that they have better reception than before. So I dont think we have to worry for now.
The future however may become more problematic as the existing Astra 2 Satellites are going to be replaced in the next 2 - 3 years and how t5his will affect reception is unknown as of now. At this point 1N will be replaced and will move to 19e .
The Skyman

[montgolfiere]

If you are suffering problems with the BBC Reception at the moment this is 'general' and should be resolved when the channels move to 1n on Friday..

[gurubarry]

Merci, I actually went to check my dish , thinking it was moved in the gales Sunday !

[montgolfiere]

The Channels have now moved successfully and the signal is back to normal.

[gurubarry]

Merci Montgolfier ...your web site is good as well .....thanks.