I have half a minidish..can I resurrect it?

Sirbendy

Just the sub-forum I need..:)

We've moved into a flat..it has 2 aerials, and half a minidish. Both Aerials go into downstairs' flat..PITA. WE have what was once possibly a sky minidish..oval, dark grey perforated metal, no markings, coax coming in through the wall.

We have a freeview box and an indoor amp'd aerial..the signal is a joke, the channels recievable doubly so.

So..I found the missus pondering Sky. Tempting, but I object to paying monthly for something we don't watch overly much. Freesat looks possible though, but..

I'd need a box, that much I know. The dish is wall mounted, the cables would need reterminating, and the previous tenants took the LNB from the dish centre. Plus, I have naff all idea about lining these things up - I've been an aerial guy upto now.

I'm based in telford...is there any companies or terms I should be searching out in an attempt to maybe get some advice on what would work?

An LNB is cheap..the wiring..I could do, maybe..but I'm not good up ladders. I just want decent viewable TV, as cheap as poss..heh.

I'm guessing it's just a case of a basic LNB, fit to dish, align and connect, then connect the other end to a freesat box..? I have a pic of the dish, if it helps..

Cheers All!

dobbie82

I would call a few independent sattelite installers, as I was quoted Just £40-£50 to fit a dish including the cost of the dish! at least then you will know its facing the right way!

Inactive

Cheapest option, second hand Sky receiver and an LNB, both cheap on eBay, fit LNB to dish, it probably will not need aligning.

chris-j

I would agree with inactive - If former owners/tenants removed the LNB reasonable chance the dish is aligned OK and adding LNB to the end of arm will work - ensure you get a Sky dish compatible LNB though (there are some which dont fit without an adapter and could possible need slightly realigned as the LNB is off centre a bit).

mcjordi

its a right PITA to align the dish if you dont have the signal finder i was on for three hours before i gave up and phoned a mate who works for sky to do it for me only cost me a tenner for a few pints - he was off at the time

jaz_2

mcjordi wrote: »

its a right PITA to align the dish if you dont have the signal finder

True, but signal finders are cheap and easy to use - mine came from Lidl for about £6. There's plenty of them on eBay for less than £10 right now.

System

mcjordi wrote: »

its a right PITA to align the dish if you dont have the signal finder i was on for three hours before i gave up and phoned a mate who works for sky to do it for me only cost me a tenner for a few pints - he was off at the time

Chances are the dish is alligned and just needs an LNB, Which is not a big job to do.

manda1205

For the cost of doing all these little bits, i.e buying lnb from ebay etc. You mught as well buy the pay once watch forever from sky.
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.204-2953.aspx
£73.40 from Tesco (plus I think theres codes for extra ££s off) With this you'll get new dish, LNB, box, viewing card, everything all in, and so long as you cancel before the last month of free trial you have no more contract with them.
By the time you've added up all your other costs, IMO this is the cheapest way to go.

Ada3050

If you go this route you may wish to have a read of this thread:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=711597

Inactive

Ada3050 wrote: »

If you go this route you may wish to have a read of this thread:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=711597

Indeed, best avoided IMO.

Moneymaker

Sirbendy wrote: »

I'm based in telford...is there any companies or terms I should be searching out in an attempt to maybe get some advice on what would work?

I believe that Satcure is in Telford but I think it's mail-order only. However there's a lot of useful (free) information on the web site.