10328 Astra 2D reception in Puglia - help

Hi
We live in the Salento area of Puglia - about 20 minis from the southern most point in the heel.
I installed an 80cm dish pointing to Hotbird 13E for Italian TV but can't find any info regarding dish size to be able to receive Astra 2D. I assume it's going to be quite large possibly 3m. Does anyone have any information regarding Astra 2d reception in Puglia.
If I do need an approx 3m dish, what sort of price are they and does a dish that large need specialist installation.
If the cost of the dish is reasonable would then think along the lines of motorising it and scrapping the 80cm dish.
Thanks in advance
Martin

Category
Cost of living - Utility Services

Well I'm way up in Lombardia, very near to the Swiss border, and to link up with the Astra 2D I had to scrap my 85cm dish and replace it with a 1.2m dish. But even with that, in weather like this week (constant storms), reception is a bit hit and miss. In good weather - no problem, but when it's not.... well!

I must admit that I'm thinking about a motorised attachment for my dish (if that is possible), but will need to investigate the cost of that.

As CaroleB says, reception uphere in Lombardia is fairly poor at times - even with a 120cm dish. I suspect that down in Puglia, you would need something close to the size of Jodrell Bank to get continuously good reception! - or at least a C-band motorised 3 metre dish for a reasonable chance of receiving anything. They aren't as expensive as you might think, by the way - but I have no idea where you may find one in Puglia, I'm afraid.

ETA: Yes, they would look absolutely dreadful on a roof, I know! You may - "may" - need approval for such a beast as well. Check with you local municipio before spending the money.

Hi Nardini,
Should we assume from your 'new(ish)' location (didn't note quite when it [I]did[/I] change):
[quote]
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: [B][I]Padania[/I][/B]
Posts: 312
Thanks: 150
Thanked 186 Times in 98 Posts [/quote]
that you are now a supporter of Signor Bossi and his 'Lega Nord?'

[quote=Carole B;96062]Hi Nardini,
Should we assume from your 'new(ish)' location (didn't note quite when it [I]did[/I] change):

that you are now a supporter of Signor Bossi and his 'Lega Nord?'[/quote]
Along with 60% of the rest of the population up here, I fail to qualify as a member of the Leghisti. I'm more, how would you say... [URL="http://www.antoniodipietro.it/"]this[/URL] (if it is relevant).

However, I still retain a little of the irony I used to enjoy in the UK.

Did I miss the bit where this question has relevancy to the question though? Or is it just a PM that went the "wrong way"?

take a look at this web site and the footprints for the astra 2d north south satellites it should give you an idea [url=http://www.insatinternational.com/astra_footprint.php]Sky TV cards, Sky digital viewing cards, watch Sky TV in Europe: Astra Footprint[/url] ciao marco

[quote=Vicarym;95996]Hi
We live in the Salento area of Puglia - about 20 minis from the southern most point in the heel.
I installed an 80cm dish pointing to Hotbird 13E for Italian TV but can't find any info regarding dish size to be able to receive Astra 2D. I assume it's going to be quite large possibly 3m. Does anyone have any information regarding Astra 2d reception in Puglia.
If I do need an approx 3m dish, what sort of price are they and does a dish that large need specialist installation.
If the cost of the dish is reasonable would then think along the lines of motorising it and scrapping the 80cm dish.
Thanks in advance
Martin[/quote]

[quote=marco;96130]take a look at this web site and the footprints for the astra 2d north south satellites it should give you an idea [url=http://www.insatinternational.com/astra_footprint.php]Sky TV cards, Sky digital viewing cards, watch Sky TV in Europe: Astra Footprint[/url] ciao marco[/quote]

The best place to find the current situation regarding ASTRA 2D coverage is on the ASTRA website itself - here[url=http://www.ses-astra.com/consumer/uk/how-to-receive-astra/footprints/index.php]SES ASTRA - Footprints & Frequencies[/url]: It is worth reiterating that you DO NOT NEED TO HAVE SKY, in order to receive any of the ASTRA channels that are "free to air" (nor Hotbird, Eutelsat, etc...).

To save time searching for ASTRA 2D coverage, here is the current illustration from ASTRA itself...
[IMG]http://www.ses-astra.com/resources/img-archive-consumer/sharedImages/UK/0_astra_2D_L.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks everyone for all the info. Think I'll stay with Italian TV plus see what I get on Astra 2B/C.

Martin