LIFEdevelopment.info Satellite Equipment

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Satellite Receivers

LIFEdevelopment.info does not recommend any one particular satellite receiver system for use in churches, LIFEdevelopment centres, or homes. Any digital system that can pick up the Hope Channel from the Hotbird 6 satellite will be able to receive Dwight Nelson's "Evidence" series which will be broadcast in March 2004.

However, a typical system, and one which is currently being used in a number of churches, is based around the Manhattan Skyline 1000 Digital Satellite Receiver. Most of these systems are set up to receive transmissions from the NSS 7 satellite, located at 21.5 degrees west, but we are recommending that these dishes be realligned to point at the Hotbird 6 satellite at 13 degrees east. This is a job best left to you local satellite installer.

Those who do not have an existing satellite dish will need an 80 cm diameter dish (or possibly less for those living in the south of England) coupled with a suitable LNB.

A fixed dish is all that is needed in order to receive the Hope Channel broadcasts. Some may wish to purchase a steerable dish in order to receive other free-to-air transmissions. However a steerable dish is not necessary for the purposes of LIFEdevelopment.info and the reception of any other stations would be at the discretion of the end user.

A fully fitted, motorised system, which can receive transmissions from different satellites, will cost in the region of Ł475.00 upwards. However a full system to receive the Hope Channel will only cost around Ł250.00.

Motorised System

On Wednesday 4 December 2002 a motorised satellite dish was installed at the BUC Office in order to test the system for use by members and churches throughout the UK and Ireland. The dish measures 88 cm by 100 cm. Click on the pictures below for a larger (512 x 384) image.

Pastor Dalbert Elias holding the Manhattan 1000 digital receiver

Satellite dish initially adjusted for elevation

Manhattan motorised mount located discreetly behind the dish

Sufficient stand off from the wall must be allowed to give the dish room to turn

In its final position the dish does not look too obtrusive

Installation

Not all installers have the skill or experience to install motorised satellite dishes. Most installers installing Sky TV for the major companies such as Dixon's or Comet do not have the experience to install motorised dishes. The main pole holding the dish has to be mounted very precisely in both horizontal and vertical planes. This is critical.

Also it is essential that a check be made by your potential installer to make sure there are no objects blocking reception of the signals, such as high buildings or trees standing in the way. The following check list will help you to determine whether or not an installation is feasible before you actually order your satellite package. Note that this initial check is very important and may prevent you from buying equipment that you may not be able to use.

Check List:

Does the house has a suitable south facing wall?
Are there any bye-law restrictions which would prevent installation?
Has planning permission been granted (if needed)?
Are there any objects blocking the reception path?
Are the signals strong enough in your area?
If you want a motorised dish, is your installer competent to fit it?
Has an installation price been agreed?
Have any extras to this price been clearly stated?
Does the price include setting up the receiver to receive the Hope Channel?
Has the installer clearly stated the terms of guarantee?

You should only go ahead and order a system if you can answer yes to all of the questions above.

Free Programmes

Although installing a satellite system requires a fairly high initial investment it should be noted that the programmes are then received free of charge.

Further Information

For further information on any satellite related matters please see: www.hopetv.org.uk/satellite.php

Š 2002 British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists