How do I get good satellite TV reception in the coach?

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What aspects should we take into account for good satellite TV reception in the coach? Three factors are essential for correct reception while travelling: the size of the satellite dish installed, the footprint of the satellite network and the road conditions. In this post, we will analyze each of these three variables.

Does the size of the satellite antenna matter?

Indeed, it is important. The size of the antenna necessary for the reception of the satellite signal on a coach is a function of the power of the beams that illuminate the ground (Pire), unit in dBW, and the direction of these: the greater the diameter of the antenna. antenna, the better the reception.

It is therefore preferable to install a larger antenna than the one recommended by the manufacturer, this way we will not have any problems receiving the satellite signal in case of bad weather . Some broadcasters recommend small antennas to receive their signals, and especially in the case of the most powerful satellites that broadcast digital channels (50 cm diameter antenna to receive a satellite with a 50 dBW eirp), even in this case, it is better to choose antennas with a few extra centimeters.
It is important to remember that poor reception caused by too small an antenna has no solution.

Satellite network footprint

The second aspect that we must take into account to obtain a good reception of the satellite signal on the way: the network zones of the chosen satellite (footprints in English). These fingerprints make it possible to perfectly identify the technical characteristics of its distribution, that is to say, the limitations of the beams as well as the power degradation of the latter.

To facilitate the identification of the transmission power of the satellites, some satellites can change the direction of their beams because the maps integrated in the system are standard. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a satellite, analyze what is its network area and ensure that the technical specifications of the antenna allow the reception of the signal with the adequate intensity to reach the area to which we are traveling.
We will list the network beams of the 4 most important European satellites and analyze which type of antenna would be suitable to have:

 

ASTRA_1
ASTRA 1 at 19.2 E – Here we observe that it would be necessary an antenna with a signal reception capacity of 51 dBW

 

ASTRA 2 at 28.2 E In this case we would need an antenna with a signal reception capacity of 52 dBW
ASTRA 2 at 28.2 E
In this case we would need an antenna with a signal reception capacity of 52 dBW

 

HOTBIRD 13 B. Here, an antenna with a signal receiving capacity of 51 dBW
HOTBIRD 13 B In this case we would need an antenna with a signal reception capacity of 51 dBW

 

HISPASAT 1C at 30.0 W In this case we would need an antenna with a signal reception capacity of 52 dBW
HISPASAT 1C at 30.0 W In this case we would need an antenna with a signal reception capacity of 52 dBW

Conditions of bus or coach journeys

It is sometimes interesting to analyze the route that the coach will take to ensure good reception of the satellite signal, because, obviously, in addition to the weather conditions (cloudy weather the strength of the signal decreases), the topography greatly influences signal reception. Narrow roads with lots of trees, road inside valleys and mountain roads present difficulties for the reception of satellite signals.
Considering each of these three aspects we can get good satellite signal reception on the road and our passengers will be able to enjoy live TV on the way.

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