How can I get German TV?

[Mattk40]

Hi,

I would like to receive German channels most notably Kika a kids channel for my son.

I am completely in the dark on how best to do this. I have the standard sky dish in place that is connected to my freesat box.

Do I need a complete new dish and point it somewhere else or can I fit an extra 'middle bit' to my existing dish? I don't know the name of the German satellite I need to aim it at or whether I can do this myself cheaply or need an expert, any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Matt

[Mickha]

There are a lot of Free to Air German channels on Astra 1, 19.2E, including KIKA.
_http://www.lyngsat.com/astra19.html
All you need is a dish pointing at that satellite and a FTA receiver, or buy a cheap patchable receiver.
Unless you provide your general location we can't assist you with the dish size required but Astra 1 is a powerful satellite and most people only require a small dish.

[Mattk40]

That sounds like the ticket. I presume that is a different satellite than the Sky one then? I am based in hertford btw so does that mean I need a new dish or can I stick an extra 'thingie' in my existing dish?

[southernsatellite]

You will need another dish aimed at Astra 1 19.1 east and a receiver like the Technomate 5200D Super

[Mattk40]

Damm, I was hoping for minimal 'eyesore' if you know what I mean.

Could I replace the existing dish with a remote control one or are the distances too far apart? thinking as I type here but my existing freesat/sky dish is on the front of the house aiming SE I think, which way would the new dish have to aim? another question also (sorry about this!), is this satellite the exclusive one or are there others which would have Kika and those German channels?

Matt

[Mickha]

19.2E is the closest and best for German Free channels.
Your current mini dish is pointing at Astra 2, 28.2E, it is possible to replace this with a larger dish and use 2 LNB's to receiver both 28E and 19.2E, but it would be far cheaper, and easier, to put up another dish to receive 19.2E.
You are allowed 2 dishes, without seeking planning permission, in most places, so that will not be a problem, and 60cm dishes are cheap, and easy, to get hold of, you might even get away with a smaller dish but it depends on your general location.

[Mattk40]

Cool thanks Mickha.

So I am presuming that if you can use one dish to get both then if I use a new dish then it will be generally in the same place as my freesat i.e pointing roughly in the same place? what do these numbers mean anyway 19.2E, are they degrees from a place? Also, what sort of costs are involved for say a) a second hand second dish with a Technomate 5200D Super(above) or b) a new bigger dish with a Technomate 5200D? Why do I need a new receiver when I have a Freesat Humax box, would it not pick up the new signals with two dish leads going into a spliter at the back of the box?

Sorry, lots of questions but thanks a lot, this info is great

Matt

[southernsatellite]

You will find that the Freesat box does not have the internal control to switch between the two dishes hence the need for another receiver. All the gear will set you back around £100 or less if you don't get a 5200D Super

[Robbo]

BTW, as an experiment, take a spare LNB and hold it next to the existing one, you should be able to pick up something from Astra 19.2E.

[Mattk40]

Would 2 LNBs in one dish = 1 lead to the receiver or 2 leads? not sure I have enough space to run two leads around the house/inbetween gripper rods etc