Satellite footprints

[Analoguesat]

OK whats this section all about? Well if you are wanting to watch programmes off any particular satellite you need a dish of an appropriate size for the downlink power at your location. All the operators publish official footprints of the expected dish sizes and coverage areas for their satellites.

Please note - these images are guidelines ONLY - you often find that reception is possible much further away than the official coverage areas indicate but with big dishes being needed. The classic one about which much is known is Astra 2D, which officially is a bullseye onto the UK. However its also possible with big dishes in southern Spain, northern Italy,and as far east as Cyprus - although you need a 4m diameter dish in much of Cyprus!

With a bit of luck as we add to this section over the weeks and months it will become a useful reference for hobbyists. I'll add in some of the historic footprints from non operational birds too in time.

All images are copyright the operating company for the satellites

[Analoguesat]

This is a new section, so will take time to build up the library of images - so if theres any data for European satellites you particularly want to see list it on this thread and we will see what we can do.

[ishika]

Hi Analogsat, what would be the appropriate size needed to recieve sky tv in Varna the east coast of Bulgaria, this info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx

[Analoguesat]

Probably around 3.5m if you want the BBC & ITV channels on 2D

[ishika]

Thanks Analoguesat, so if i didnt want to watch bbc/itv, would a 3metre dish be sufficient.

Thanks again

[Analoguesat]

You should get a reasonable selection of channels on something considerably smaller.

You live in a nice area - I had a lovely holiday at Nessebar a few years ago

[ishika]

So, approximately what size dish to recieve sky tv? Can you be a bit more precise, I want to watch mostly the Asian and in particular the Bengali Channels on sky, just to keep in touch with the outside world. The channels they have on cable arent really worth watching. I am located south end near the stadium, the road that turns in at Father Teds pub next to Hotel Atos. Weather is still beautiful as ever, they still need to do a bit more work on the country. Nessebar is a wonderful place, we walk from the bend at Nessebar Beach to the Centre most of the time.

Thanks

[Analoguesat]

First of all you need to understand that prediction is not an exact science. Its is a black art based on educated guessswork.

There are 4 satellites slotted at 28E withat least 8 different transmission beams.

The Eurobird 1 beams cover Bulgaria no problem.

From the info I can find a decent 1.5m should give you most of the channels apart from the Astra 2D stuff. Go bigger if you can though.