BBC and ITV broadcast from Astra 2D

Note: Astra 2D no longer exists. It has been replaced temporarily by Astra-1N, which has a wider beam. No map has been published so far. The maps, below, are no longer accurate.

The choice of dish, LNB and Digibox is critical for poor reception areas. The LNB skew setting is also very critical; be sure to set it at the time of day that channels start to "fade".

The Invacom twin- or quad-output LNB is recommended although for dish sizes up to 1.5m diameter some other LNBs work OK.
For dish sizes greater than 1.5m use a twin- or a quad-output Invacom LNB.
(The single-output Invacom version is reported to give poor results - allegedly because its cross-polar rejection is bad).

Best fringe reception Sky Digiboxes are Panasonic TU-DSB30*, Pace BSKYB2600, Pace "Javelin", Pace DS430N. Other models may work almost as well - TU-DSB20 for example. Many models are unlikely to work at all for 2D in fringe areas. The Thomson DSi8215 Sky HD Digibox is said to be the best SkyHD receiver for fringe reception.

For Freesat use the Humax Foxsat HDR (not the SD version).

* The TU-DSB30 has reportedly had software problems affecting fringe area reception recently and is best avoided.

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DISCLAIMER: Map below is based on reports from users. Accuracy can not be guaranteed as there are "hot spots" (eg. Geneva and Cyprus) and "cold spots" (eg. Alicante). In general, a 45cm "SKY minidish" should work fine in the United Kingdom and nearby Europe. Northern regions (Carlisle and further north) and southern regions (south of France) may require a larger "zone 2" dish. Most of Germany requires 80cm or greater (eg. typically 1.5m in Berlin).

Dish sizes in places like Greece and Italy south of Rome can't be predicted. Where a dish size is given, this is the minimum (so a 3m area might actually require a 4m dish for reliable reception. In some places, the signal fades during the evening, regardless of dish size).

This page deals ONLY with the Astra 2D satellite. The signals from other Astra satellites spread over a wider area so you shuld be able to receive quite a few Sky programmes with a smaller dish. Please look at the footprints and then look at the channel lists at www.lyngsat.com to see which programmes relate to which footprints. This information changes fairly often and we (SatCure) see no point in trying to maintain our own lists here. Please make the time to do your own research.

See SES-ASTRA satellite footprints

See SES-ASTRA TV Guide

See SES-ASTRA satellite dish installation assistant

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For more information, please read our eBook "Installing Sky Digital TV".