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If you find this information useful and want to thank me, why not buy one of my low-cost "eBooks" that you can download direct to your computer? My books can be read on-screen or printed out on paper. They are full of colour photos and illustrations. http://www.The-Cool-Book-Shop.co.uk | |||||
NewsVAT The VAT rate changes to 15% for all invoices generated after midnight November 30th 2008. This means that anything we ship from that time will be rated at 15%. Since we don't process orders after 5pm on a Friday, our shopping cart will switch to 15% at that time (5pm Friday 28th November). So any orders placed after 5pm will be rated at 15%, as will any back-orders invoiced next week onwards. Occasionally we get complaints that we don't include VAT in our prices. (The shopping cart will calculate it - no obligation). And now you understand why. We simply had to change the percentage in our shopping cart calculator. Other companies offering "VAT inclusive prices" have to go through every single item in their shop and lower the price. But how many will? How many are still offering the same VAT inclusive prices that they offered yesterday? Recession This week we have been swamped with orders, which has resulted in some unexpected shortages. I would ask customers please to use email and be patient. If you telephone us, you will only add to the delays. Recession? What recession? While we are on the subject of recession, may I offer my sympathy to those facing redundancy. However, it may be the best thing that ever happened to you as it was for me! Redundancy was the "push" I needed to start my own business. I actually wrote a book about it and I've sold it at various prices. But for a couple of days I'm going to let you download a copy for just £1 (a large percentage of which will be snaffled by Paypal and the rest by my hosting company). See http://www.marketingtips.uk.com/section3.html That's the normal price but if you click here you can get it for just £1. (That link will disappear on December 1st so don't delay). IMPORTANT: Please complete the order form correctly otherwise your money will be taken but you won't get the download link. The shopping cart does security checks and any name, address or telephone number that looks "suspicious" or incomplete will result in NO DOWNLOAD LINK! That wastes time for me as I have to do a manual refund (and I'm VERY busy right now). Oh, and please note that you can't use an AOL email address in the shopping cart. It tells you this (and even makes you tick a box to confirm) but people still try it anyway, then complain when they get charged for nothing! The above web site includes a lot of money-making tips, too. Also, we are still running the Digital Installer training course. This is a training scheme whereby you receive an email to your next lesson each week.
Monthly whinge Identity Theft is very much in the news. (Is it a coincidence that what we used to call "impersonation" is now called "Identity Theft" or I.T. for short? My son tells us he's "doing I.T. at college". I'm quite worried.) In the same vein, nobody seems to be taking much notice of the government's proposal to force us into carrying Identity Cards. If this legislation gets pushed through, it means that identity theft will be even easier because somebody, somewhere, will have access to ALL of your personal details. And don't tell me "it will be password-protected and accessible to only a small number of trusted people". Those who say "if I do nothing wrong, I have nothing to worry about" simply don't understand the potential problems. Here's a scenario: Your name is James T. Smith and you have done nothing wrong. A man calling himself "James T. Smith" commits an act of terrorism. There's no proof but the suspicion is noted by the authorities. The record of this gets put on YOUR file by mistake. From now on you are a suspected terrorist and are treated accordingly. Your movements are monitored and you frequently get stopped by the police and banned from public events. You have no access to your record. You have no idea what's going on. There is no appeal because nothing is wrong. But, for the rest of your life, you (and your family) get persecuted and hassled. (Please don't email me about this. I plan to emigrate. That's my solution. Put any comments in the forum.) http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/04/sky_vm_channel_agreement/ Will Sky buy Tiscali? http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/03/sky_tiscali/ Electronics magazines for saleI'm selling off my collection of magazines and they are disappearing quickly. See http://www.The-Cool-Book-shop.co.uk/practical_electronics/index.htm I'll be listing many more but I want to scan them first. (PDF files take up much less room than piles of magazines!) Also see my "Wanted" list.
Thomson Sky HDApologies if you've been waiting for a SATKIT33j. Michael has been trying to locate a supply of special "fusible" resistors - a safety requirement. He has finally succeeded, which means that kits can go out next week and our supply of REBUILT PSUs has increased by ten (which have been awaiting repair for weeks). Freeview ProblemsNo major problems reported this week apart from a couple of transmitters on low power. And I believe one manufacturer was broadcasting an update. You can read all this stuff in the digitalspy forum. (Sorry, I'm really pushed for time but I want to get this out to you TODAY!) New ProductsThe new Humax FOXSAT-HDR PVR for BBC/ITV Freesat was scheduled to be available in mid November. Well, apparently only 500 have been released and ARGOS (and possibly John Lewis) got them all! So, if you want to be an "early adopter" (beta tester) nip down to ARGOS right away. Otherwise, as high demand is likely, you can place a provisional order with us right now to get in the queue. We will notify you when stock is available and let you know the exact price but we will NOT charge your card until you confirm your acceptance. We still expect the price to be £259.95 + carriage + VAT. but note that VAT will be 15% on your invoice. We have been allocated just ten units for (we hope) next week and we have 15 orders so far. We'll ship in strict rotation - the first to order will be the first to receive. PLEASE PLEASE don't pester our Sales girls with "where am I in the queue?" or "when do you expect...". We will email you when we have any news. If you can't wait, please just cancel and try to buy elsewhere. We won't be offended. (But right now, today, only Argos has any and they'll be sold out very quickly.) http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page14.htm#humax Are you deaf?If so, then you'll love our new TV headphone amplifier, due in next week. And, still on the audio theme, I have been testing some new low-cost earphones with my iPod "Classic" - and they sound unbelievably great! My (discerning) 21 year old son liked them so much that he won't give them back. IDEAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT! (And perfectly suitable for use with the headphone amplifier.)
Questions- a selection from this month's emails I am looking at adding a couple of 'magic eye' to my Sky + system, I have read (and re-read!) the guides on your pages but I am not 100% sure of what equipment I need! I would like to add 2 magic eyes to my system so I can control the Sky + box to change channels and also watch programs off the planner. I currently can receive the sky signal in other rooms but cannot control the box. At the moment, my sky signal is routed out through RF-Out 1 into a powered booster box in the loft where it is distributed to other rooms in the house. Please could you advise me on what equipment I need to purchase off your site to achieve my goals. Thanks very much. Mark Hi, Mark. you need to read this page:- http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/split.htm I am wanting to control my SKY+ box & a DVD player that are both in a cabinet and hence the remotes will not work through the cabinet door. I purchased a tvLINK plus not ralising it did not contain the IR sensor and is mainly used to control SKY from a second TV.Do you sell the IR sensor (eye) seperately as I dont really want to buy a complete new tvLINK plus system. I do not want to control sky from a second TV. Mark Yes, we sell a range of "magic eye" remote extenders, plus fans to keep your equipment cool (essential in a cabinet). http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page3.htm#digital-link This problem has occurred before, about this time last year. Our t.v has a buillt in freeview and we also get freeview through B.T vision.Prior to this setup we had a sony set top box and the problem was the same. A group of channels keeps coming up "no signal" both freeview methods of viewing then want to re-scan. The channels are 18 and 21 (music channels) and also 32 (film 4) there are one or two others. It is always these channels that get the problem. Sometimes there {they're?} there, other times there {they're?} not. Last Sunday morning they were all working, them {then?} at around 9 or 10 am they just disapeared. Nothing has been touched with reguards the setup. Is this due to the transmitter being worked on? I still do not have the channels back. David D.
Hi, David. Since your aerial is pointing through a hill at Crystal Palace transmitter, the height and lateral position may be critical. However, at this time of year most people switch their central heating on and the boiler thermostat can cause interference. (Listen for it with a detuned AM radio. Look for it on an analogue TV set.) There are many more possibilities and, unfortunately, it would be impossible to determine the actual cause without a site visit. Model number on label or rear panel: GDS200 Dear Satcure Over the last couple of weeks my Grundig Sky box has started to reset itself at random intervals. Each time this happens the box goes into standby and when I turn it back on it's on channel 998. I have checked the power supply outputs with my oscilloscope and they are all at the right level with low noise. The box is also well ventilated and our mains supply is OK because nothing else is affected. I know that BSkyB have been having problems with Sky Plus boxes but when they download a new program for these will it affect a standard Sky box as well? Thank you in advance for your assistance. Kenneth D.
If your Digibox has received the "drop into standby when idle" software, then that's what it will do by default until you set it OFF in the menu. Otherwise it must be the mains connection* or the power supply. They tend to last about 3 years before capacitor failure starts to cause problems. *It's not uncommon for a 13A mains plug or wall socket to have a loose connection - fuse or wire. And the GDS200 was renowned for bad solder joints on its mains input socket pins under the PCB. Take a look. Robert H. As a matter of fact it's already in my list of "things to do". Thank you for reminding me. We already supply white plastic plates with a choice of 'F' connectors (up to 5) so a metal one is the next logical step. I'll get some blank plates in the morning. How many 'F' connectors would you need? (No obligation). The TV was sited in corner A which had a coax connection by way of a wall socket and Satellite 1 and 2 cables for Sky+ coming directly through the wall with F plug connectors to the Sky box. We have now connected both Satellite cables to 2 way splitters and one cable from each has been taken to a plate outlet in corner A, where they work perfectly. We would like to combine the Sat1 cable and the TV aerial coax so that they can be taken to a Triplexer outlet in corner B.(To which the Sat2 cable and telephone link will also be taken) Would we be able to use the SatCure Dip2 satellite aerial loft combiner to combine the two cables? Doreen M. Hi, Doreen. Unfortunately, I don't quite follow what you've done. You mustn't fit a splitter to an LNB cable because, apart from other considerations, it will lose 60% of the signal. You'll probably end up with some programmes missing, especially in bad weather. And you certainly can't use a splitter to connect two Digiboxes simultaneously. As regards running the TV aerial and LNB signals in one cable, this is perfectly feasible and is described here:- http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/combiners.htm However, it may not work through a splitter. Thanks Mike H.
Hi, Mike. Unfortunately, since Sky bought Amstrad, we can no longer obtain spare parts. And the same applies to Thomson - apart from the stuff already listed on our web site. Model number on label or rear panel: DSI8215WD-89 What I want to know (plus any other relevant information): I'm afraid that the fault which prompted this unit to be sent to you for repair has returned. All future recordings have changed to "failed" status, and "no satellite signal is being received" is displayed when a substitute box works fine. Both of these are apparently indicative of a PSU problem with Thomson boxes, and the reason the PSU was sent to you originally. Since getting the PSU back, the box has worked fine - until now! Can you advise on an appropriate course of action please. p.s. I should point out that the fault at present is intermittent, but seems to be becoming more frequent. Neil C.
Hi, Neil. If your rebuilt PSU has failed then it's the first ever (but not impossible)! We will, of course, honour the guarantee so please remove it from the Digibox and get it back to us ASAP. While you have it in your hands, you might like to look for any obvious fault such as a bulging capacitor or a bad solder joint and report back to me. Happy CustomersDear SatCure. Your web site says: Alkathene cable protection conduit pipe 25mm diameter x 25 metre long. Suitable for burying in soil or concrete. (Because of friction you probably can't push WF100 cable more than 20m up this pipe so it has to be cut then rejoined with coupler below). It has been suggested that you can superglue the end of some strong thread to a heavy ball bearing or glass "marble" and roll that through the pipe. Use it to pull through some strong cord or fishing line. Then use that to pull the cable through. (Please let us know if you have a better method!) I do have a better method. If you attach a ball of tissue - enough to fill the pipe but not tight - to some light string and put it in the pipe one end, you can suck it through using a vacuum cleaner from the other end. I haven't tried longer than 50 metres, but it easily gets through that. Great website - very useful! Best regards Mark G. Thanks, Mark. Feedback such as this is really useful. I wish more people would write! (Mark wins an eBook of his choice for this suggestion.) Martin I have just read with interest your latest newsletter and thought I would just let you know my experience of a number of years ago in relation to the above. I once had reason to use this method for the protection of a cable over a distance approaching a hundred metres. I attached a 30lb fishing line to a small piece of rag and took the coil of pipe and the line spool to the local garage and blew the rag through the pipe with the compressed air line. Careful it all moves very quickly!! I then laid the alkathene with the line inside so the pipe was straightened and then pulled a stronger cord followed by the cable. It's only a variation of mark's method but I know that it works over longer distances. Regards, Dave H From John R. Regarding Customer receipt (Keep-me): None Alternative email address- none Hello. I tried to order some caps for the SKY HD Box. After adding to cart I was sent on to page 12 and cant work out what to do next sorry. John See http://www.satcure.co.uk/orders.htm#ordering Always enjoy your newsletter and have found it useful on a number of occasions. I plan to do some changes in the near future and I will be ordering the bits and bobs from you. Michael K.
Thanks, Michael. I probably offended 8000 people who don't own a Pace box but I felt it was urgent enough to warrant a special posting because people were asking about ordering Hard Drives and PSUs. We will never knowingly sell something that's not strictly needed. Just to tell you that the link regarding the Pace Sky + Digibox is not working it come up with the following: Bandwidth Limit Exceeded The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.
Thanks. Fixed! Following my emergency mailshot, we had so many visitors that they exceeded our monthly allocation in one day! (And if everyone clicks on this link, it'll happen again. Please don't click unless you own a PACE SKY+ Digibox!) http://notonyourtelly.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1754 Hi, I haven't really given you much info to go on, but here is my problem. I live smack in the middle between Crystal Palace (40 mile)and Sandy Heath (39.4 mile). I currently get TV through cable, but am thinking of putting up an aerial so I can get channels on other TVs in the house. The question is which TV aerial do I go for that will enable me to get the best reception. Now I haven't stated my prefered transmitter as this would be Sandy, as I am on the side of a slight hill that gives Sandy the better option. Saying that, I am next to the Hemel Hempstead transmitter, which may not give as many channels as Sandy or Crystal Palace. I fully understand that I will need a wideband aerial and mount it either vertical or horizontal depanding where I point it, but I also need one that is high gain, if I choose Sandy. I have looked at the Televes DAT75 but this is unsuitable for Crystal Palace. Is there another choice where I can use the aerial for any of the three transmitters I have mentioned without costing the earth or haveing to purchase multiple aerials. I could go to the local aerial installer, but at £300 for aerial and installation, I know I can do it alot cheaper. Any help you can give would be appreciated. Neal J.
See http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd.exe?DX=L&HT=10&OS=HP2 For each transmitter, click on the yellow "OS grid ref." to see a terrain map. This indicates that Sandy Heath would be obstructed if your aerial were lower than 20m. Anyway, no matter. A Vision V10-040 should be fine for any of the three transmitters. I installed one for my neighbour last week (see link, below). Our predicted signal is 36dBuV/m - the same as your predicted signal from Sandy Heath. So I don't believe you need a higher gain aerial. See http://www.satcure.net/tech/best_aerial.htm#cw11 MY QUESTION Can I successfully join WF65 Shotgun to WF100 Shotgun using F barrel and the like. I only ask because I do not know the thickness of WF100. Many thanks in advance. Stephen
Yes, all 'F' plug nuts have the same thread. Just make sure you order 'F' plugs to match the cable diameter! (Also, joining cable is not recommended if you can replace the whole length.) See http://www.satcure.net/tech/ "10. How can I Extend my cable?" Latest SatCure eBooks
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A few months ago I had cause to contact my credit card company and they asked me if I wanted "identity theft insurance". I allowed myself to be talked into receiving the application form. When I read it I discovered that it required me to fill in details such as my N.I. number, passport number etc. All of this information would be "held safely on a computer" somewhere by a company that had no direct connection with my credit card company. I saw this as a way to make my impersonation even more likely, so I declined the offer. 
The SatCure Satellite Review is written for the customers and subscribers of the following websites:
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