Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> Ex-pats >> Satellite Changes http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1349296658 Message started by Administrator on Oct 3^rd, 2012, 8:38pm

Title: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Oct 3^rd, 2012, 8:38pm

Alix Pryde of BBC Distribution's latest blog here refers to the forthcoming satellite changes.

"On 15 October 2012 we will move our radio services on the Sky platform from DSat2 and DSat7 to be more evenly spread across DSat2 and DSat5 (Astra 1N tp 46). On the 16 October 2012 these changes will take effect on Freesat and Virgin Media. As each of the radio services moves there will be a small outage of a couple of minutes.

This will also mean that our radio services move from a European beam to a UK spot beam as DSat7 is the last of our European beam transponders. We use a UK beam for our TV services, so the radio services will be as available in the UK as our TV services. But it does mean that the radio services will no longer be receivable across much of mainland Europe."

The blog also refers to TV distribution changes.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by david en france on Oct 4^th, 2012, 4:07pm

Obviously this is bad news for ex-pats especially as the alternative, Internet Radio, is increasingly being subjected to rights limitiations. We need someone to speak up for the thousands of Brits living on mainland Europe. Perhaps our buddy Amigo could enlighten us to alternative means of receiving UK radio in quality reception?

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Amigo on Oct 4^th, 2012, 5:36pm

From what I can see, Brittany residents will notice very little difference.

However, until the new satellite is actually located correctly (as I type it's winging its way along the Clarke Belt to 28.2) nobody will know what the reception will be like anywhere!

Happy hunting!

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Alex Trelinski on Oct 13^th, 2012, 12:00pm

Currently easy reception of BBC TV and Radio services is possible on a 1 metre dish in South East Spain. Since those channels are going to move to a UK beam on the new Astra 2F satellite, possibly as soon as next month, things are going to get tougher. I live in the Alicante area, and I'm hoping that my 1.85m dish will still be OK :)

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by PGS4038 on Nov 5^th, 2012, 11:15am

An 80cm dish with my Humax Freesat box is currently OK here in SW France but HD TV now suffers from pixellation since the early summer. I will wait until next spring and the final channel allocations before any re-evaluation of dish size.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Alex Trelinski on Dec 11^th, 2012, 4:02pm

Reception of the four transponders on the Astra 2F satellite seems to be very good on the Costa Blanca, which augurs well for the eventual transfer of the BBC services. Large parts of Spain and Portugal look like they'll have some very serious problems in picking up the UK Spot Beam, with three metre dishes needed(at least!!) on the Costa Del Sol, which has previously used 1.2 metre dishes.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by roy argyle on Dec 13^th, 2012, 5:35pm

A BBC spokesman has told the "Portuguese News" that reception of BBC channels will remain unchanged till at least the middle of 2013

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by John on Dec 16^th, 2012, 3:26pm

I hope this will be of help to those receiving BBc satellite signals overseas.

John

http://www.ukfree.tv/fullstory.php?storyid=1107052050

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Amigo on Dec 16^th, 2012, 4:25pm

For more information try:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/posts/Changes-to-BBC-Satellite-transponders-in-2013

http://astra2.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=a2f (Not updated very often)

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=142 ("Freesat")

Basically, Astra 2E should launch in 2013, however there has been a problem with an earlier launch and so there might be a delay.

Astra 2F, seems to be 'faulty', in that it doesn't seem to be working properly.

Astra 1N is needed at 19º East as soon as possible, but it can't be released from 28º East (The UK 'slot') until a working replacement is correctly located.

Some UK TV channels have moved from ASTRA 1N to ASTRA 2F., renderring them unavailable to some European locations.

Edited Feb 24th.
Updated web-site,
Astra 2E launch deferred to early June 2013
Astra 2B is now at 19ºE
Removed 'robsatellites'.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Amigo on Jun 20^th, 2013, 4:25pm

A few updates.

Astra 2E is now scheduled to launch on July 21st (or thereabouts). It is expected to be operational towards the end of August. Then Astra 1N is expected to move to 19º. The UK channels on 1N will probably move to 2E. This includes most of the BBC domestic services.

Astra 2B is presently located at 19.4º East.

The last launch from Baikonur went well, and there is no expected delay to the launch of 2E (so far).

Astra SES 2E site :- http://www.ses.com/4628866/astra-2e

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Jul 2^nd, 2013, 7:19am

There is likely to be a delay in the launch of ASTRA 2E due to an incident at the launchpad:-

http://rt.com/news/proton-m-rocket-takeoff-crash-514/

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/07/proton-m-launch-three-glonass/

"The next Proton launch was expected to occur on 20 July, when a Proton-M/Briz-M will be used for a commercial launch conducted by International Launch Services, to orbit the Astra 2E satellite for SES. However, this will now be delayed, pending an investigation into Tuesday’s failure."

BBC News:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23141297

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Aug 5^th, 2013, 9:30am

Based on the progress to date, it is expected that the Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB) will begin on August 9 and will tentatively conclude by August 16.

Astra 2E Campaign Status, Return to Flight and Proton Manifest

The Astra 2E team will resume campaign operations after the Russian State Commission and ILS FROB complete the required work on root cause and required corrective actions and all parties agree to re-start the campaign.
The schedule for the return to flight and subsequent missions will be determined once the Russian State Commission and ILS FROB complete their efforts and the required corrective actions have been implemented.

Source ILS News, dated August 2nd.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Aug 21^st, 2013, 3:51pm

Latest update regarding ASTRA 2E's launch.

ILS have now scheduled the launch for September 15th, although "Interfax" reports it being delayed slightly to the evening of the 16th (UK time).

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by roy argyle on Sep 10^th, 2013, 10:05am

Just in southern Spain, Portugal at the moment and everybody has lost channel five even with a big dish, but can get it on hd, if of course you pay for sky hd,I see that BBC hd is available on channel 141 142 if you pay sky subscription, is this soon to be launched satellite a clever way to get people back to sky subscription from freesat
roy argyle

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Sep 12^th, 2013, 3:36pm

According to sources, the launch of Astra 2E has been further delayed due to an 'out-of-tolerance' on the first stage.

There is no confirmed launch date at present.

The footprint for Astra 2E looks to be similar to that of Astra 2F which was launched some time ago. Reception of this new satellite will only be ascertained once the 'bird' is 'lit', and tested in it's actual orbital location.

This site:-
http://www.ilslaunch.com/mission-control/mission-astra-2e

is the official site, although it's not updated frequently.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Sep 21^st, 2013, 7:47am

The latest information regarding the forthcoming launch of Astra 2E may be found here, on Khrunichev's website.

It is a very detailed page (in English) with frequencies, footprints etc, listed.

Once again, the caveat must be stated, nobody knows what the overspill will be until the satellite is launched safely into the correct orbital location and in operation.

The footprints, as issued, tend to be pessimistic.

Launch is expected to be on September 30th.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Sep 27^th, 2013, 10:22pm

Astra 2E Launch scheduled to be:-

September 30, 2013 - 3:38am BKR

Launch at 29.09.2013 at 21 h 38 m 10 s UTC

This information is from:-

http://coopi.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=645

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Sep 29^th, 2013, 4:47pm

ILS Proton is set the launch the Astra 2E satellite at 23.38 CET (21.38 GMT).

The launch can be followed live on a special webcast. Live streaming will begin approximately ten minutes before liftoff.

The launch can also be seen on the Astra satellite postion of 19.2 degrees East. (ie NOT the normal UK DTH satellite).

The live broadcast will be available on 11,023 MHz/H (SR 22.000, FEC 5/6).

Pictures should be available here:-
http://astra2e.imgondemand.com/default.aspx

Live feeds might be available from here:-
http://www.tsenki.com/en/broadcast/

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Jan 19^th, 2014, 7:59pm

Astra 2E is now on its way to the correct orbital position, having undergone extensive testing at another location.

It is expected to be operational by mid February.

Reception conditions in 'overspill areas' are still unknown.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Jan 31^st, 2014, 8:14pm

Astra 2E is now said to be in the correct orbital position at 28.2ºE.

No transponders are 'live' presently.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by roy argyle on Feb 4^th, 2014, 2:40pm

Satellite changes taking place during the nights this week 3rd feb,

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by roy argyle on Feb 4^th, 2014, 2:48pm

Moved last night Monday were ITVHD pay channels, no free bbc or itv yet

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Feb 4^th, 2014, 6:07pm

BBC Reception's announcement is here.

"The BBC’s services to Sky and Freesat homes are carried on six transponders on satellites operated by SES Astra located at 28.2°East.

In February 2012, one of these satellites (Astra 2D) was retired and BBC services moved to a new temporary home on Astra 1N. Astra 1N is shortly to be moved to its permanent position at 19°East, so the affected BBC services will be transferring to a new permanent home on Astra 2E (28.2°East).

This will take place in the early hours of Thursday 6th February 2014. Care has been taken to ensure the minimum of impact to UK viewers both during and after the change, such that no viewer actions should be required.

A small number of channels are unaffected by the change. These are on the multiplex “DSAT 8” which is carried on Astra 2F (also at 28.2°East). These are BBC ONE Scotland HD, BBC ONE Wales HD, BBC FOUR HD, BBC NEWS HD, CBeebies HD.

Generally the new transponder will improve reception in the South East of England, the north eastern coast of East Anglia, the North East of Scotland and the Shetland Isles.

The effect on coverage within Europe: Northern France and Belgium may see an improvement, outside of this area there may be a slight reduction in coverage with the need for a larger receive antenna."

It is interesting to note that 22 hours later the last sentence appertaining to European reception conditions was removed from the BBC's announcement.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by roy argyle on Feb 6^th, 2014, 9:49am

Early reports suggest that spain and Portugal have lost all the bbc channels including the hd channels

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Feb 6^th, 2014, 10:43am

It seems the further west the weaker the signal. Dish size, type and alignment is critical.

Some National Regions, BBC One Scotland, for example is stronger than BBC One England.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Dickie Mint on Feb 6^th, 2014, 2:31pm

From Usenet forum.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Feb 11^th, 2014, 6:31am

It looks as though all the UK TV channels have now migrated to their new home.

Latest reports are that all remaining versions of ITV and Channel 4 etc. moved overnight.

Therefore, what you have now, is 'it',

that is, until Astra 2G launches in a few months. :-/

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by roy argyle on Feb 11^th, 2014, 3:42pm

Sky estimate that they may lose 5 per cent of subscriptions due to the satellite change, maybe not a good time to buy Sky shares

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by roy argyle on Feb 13^th, 2014, 10:06am

Some people have measured the signal strength from astra 2e and are suggesting it is not transmitting at the 13w it should be. Could this be a deliberate attempt to stop European viewing, or a test on how to stop an independent, Scottish, non tv license paying audience viewing BBC programmes.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by PGS4038 on Mar 12^th, 2014, 10:41pm

I live in SW France 40km south of Toulouse and enjoy regular relatively trouble-free reception of all of the Freesat HD package with a 1.2m dish.
I previously had an 80cm antenna which whilst Ok for 1N and 2A proved inadequate for Astra2F reception, so it was replaced last spring.
The reception from 2F fluctuated wildly for most of last summer but luckily has now settled down.
2E reception was pretty much reliable from the off and I hope that this good reception will continue as I don't want to have to build a replica Jodrell bank in the garden. ;)

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Mar 12^th, 2014, 11:25pm

ASTRA 2G is now slated for a 2014 (2nd quarter) launch, however there are whispers that it might be September.

Source www.russianspaceweb.com.

Once 2G is correctly located and operating at 28.2ºE, there should be no further launches to this orbital position for a while, as the life-span of this type of satellite is approximately 15 years.

Source Astra.

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on May 20^th, 2014, 10:02pm

Advance Television, here, is now reporting that a recent failure of a Proton launch vehicle from the ILS Baikonur facility will cause another delay to the arrival of Astra 2G at the orbital position of 28.2º East.

Astra 2G seems to have been delayed three times.

A BBC News report (which does not refer to Astra 2G) is here. An Inmarsat satellite was the unfortunate payload on this launch.

"Spaceflight Now" reported on May 12th that:-

"On May 9, the company's (Astra SES) chief executive told financial analysts that the launch was on track for the third quarter of this year -- between July 1 and Oct. 1."

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by Administrator on Jun 20^th, 2015, 4:02pm

Astra 2G has now started to transmit programmes from 28.2ºE (the main orbital position serving the UK with "Freesat" and "Sky" programmes).

The BBC Reception Site, here, reports that:

Astra 2G is now carrying BBC News HD programmes.

DSAT 8
Astra 2G (28.2° East) Transponder 61 Frequency: 11 .02325 GHz Horizontal polarisation Modulation: DVB-S2, 8PSK Symbol rate: 23.0 Mbaud FEC 2/3
Transport Stream ID: 2061

This transponder is also broadcasting the following BBC TV Channels:-

BBC ONE Scotland HD
BBC ONE Wales HD
BBC FOUR HD
CBeebies HD
BBC NEWS HD

Astra 2G has joined her identical sisters Astra 2E and Astra 2F at 28.2.

These are predicted to be the last TV broadcast satellites to be broadcasting to the UK. from this position.

With a lifespan of 15 years, by 2030, it is likely that there will be an alternative way of transmitting TV programmes from maker to viewer by that time

Title: Re: Satellite Changes
Post by JohnW on Jun 26^th, 2015, 7:04pm

"there will be an alternative way of transmitting TV programmes from maker to viewer by that time."

I agree. Most likely, using fibre broadband - paid for by taking the BBC's license-fee money - again!