Sky analogue will cease broadcasting from the ASTRA satellites located at 19.2º east in June, 2001. However, there are many other service providers broadcasting free-to-air channels from this location, which Sky analogue subscribers have been enjoying for almost 15 years. So is this the end of free-to-air channels as we know it?

“Not necessarily,” said Solutions Group Technical Engineer Andy Bull, “it is possible to receive FTA (free-to-air) analogue channels transmitting from Astra 19.2º east, as well as the new Sky digital service broadcasting from Astra 28.2º east with simple modifications to the system.

“In most cases, the consumer will already have a 60cm or 80cm dish in place for the Sky analogue service. Although it will be alligned to Astra 19.2º east, by simply adding an extra LNB arm and an LNB to the dish, both satellites can be received (see fig. 1).

“The installation of a Sky digibox is obviously also required, but installers must bear in mind that the Sky digital dish is not efficient enough for most dual feed reception applications.”

The majority of analogue channels are duplicated in digital which is why it is not always necessary to keep the analogue receiver. If the customer would like to add extra digital channels transmitting from Astra19.2º east to their viewing options, they can do so by adding a manual switch to the two feeds (see fig. 2).

If the existing LNB has a LO of 9.750GHz or 10GHz, a Universal LNB will need to be installed to receive a digital signal. By simply fitting the extra LNB and an LNB arm
to a 60cm or 80cm dish, a second signal can be received and the customers viewing options are increased considerably. The secondary signal will be weaker than the primary one, but in most cases, it will be more than adequate for good reliable reception.

Although the Sky digibox will allow the consumer to gain access to new and exciting digital channels, its performance as an FTA receiver is somewhat limited.

It presently does not have any extra form of LNB switching, such as DiSEqC, so another cable must be run to the receiver. A manual LNB switch is required to switch between the two feeds. If you have installed the two feeds to the Sky digibox, the Sky digital signal must be available to the box overnight to enable card and software updates.

The Sky digibox currently has a limited symbol rate range which means it can only download bouquets that match either 22000Mb/s or 27500Mb/s. In contrast to this, a dedicated FTA receiver, such as a Humax F1-FOX, has a much wider symbol rate, usually 2000Mb/s to 31000Mb/s, so more bouquets can be downloaded.

The Sky digibox can also only store approximately 60 FTA channels where as a dedicated receiver can store a more impressive 2000+ channels. But installation of the Sky digibox is the most efficient way of receiving digital channels without increasing the cost of your customers system.

To maximise your customer’s viewing experience, follow these 7 simple steps to programme extra free-to-air channels into the Sky digibox:

1. Press the service button.

2. Select option 4 for ‘System Setup’.

3. Select option 4 for ‘Add Channel’.

4. Enter the channel information you want to download to the box and press select.

5. Once you have stored the channels you require, return to the service menu.

6. Select option 6 for ‘Other Channels’.

7. Select the channel you wish to view and press select.