Freesat Questions and Answers
What exactly is Freesat?
Freesat is a free satellite service from the BBC & ITV. If you install a Freesat receiver and connect to a suitable satellite dish, you will have access to over 140 free UK television and radio channels, such as BBC1 - BBC4, ITV1 - ITV4, Channel 4, Channel Five, Film 4, More 4, E4 etc.
Freesat also enables you to receive the free HD channels (currently BBC HD and ITV HD - Channel 4 HD is not available). You will need an HD Freesat receiver (and HD ready TV) to view the HD channels.
More channels are being added to the new Freesat service - see the Freesat website for more information.
I have one of the black, oval-shaped mini-dishes - the type that you see on most houses throughout the UK. Can this be used to pick up Freesat?
Yes - all UK transmissions originate from the same place, and it's the receiver and services that you may subscribe to that influences the range of channels that you receive rather than the dish itself. As long as the dish is big enough (the small 45cm minidishes are big enough most most parts of England and Wales), it will be capable of picking up all the Freesat channels.
Can I run more than one receiver from one dish?
Yes - generally speaking you will need to change the LNB (the device at the end of the dish arm that picks up the signal and passes it down the cable). Most standard satellite installations have an LNB with just one output. You will need to change this single output LNB for one with 4 outputs (a quad LNB) or 8 outputs (an octo LNB). You don't have to use all outputs; if you were connecting only two or three standard receivers, for example, you would only use two or three outputs. Each output must be cabled back separately to each receiver.
PVR type receivers with a built-in hard drive, such as the new Freesat+ receivers, have two dish inputs. You need to allow two LNB outputs for each one of these receivers that you connect.
Single LNB Quad LNB Octo LNB
Can I split the cable from my dish and run several receivers off it?
No - you cannot split a satellite cable that runs from the LNB on the dish to the receiver. This is because there is a two-way communication between the receiver and the LNB. As well as the signal running from the dish to the receiver, the receiver also sends signals back to the LNB. If you split the cable and connect up more than one receiver, there will be confusion and and conflict between the receivers, and the channels you want to watch may not be available!
Can I change the LNB myself?
Yes - but don't work at a height if you don't have the proper safety equipment. If your LNB is easily accessible, you can quite easily change your LNB if you follow the instructions that we provide. On the Continent, there is a culture of self-installation with many people installing their own satellite equipment. In the UK we tend to call in a technician rather than try to do the job ourselves, but it's not hard and well within the capabilities of most people.
Should I put the dish on the chimney so that it is nearer the satellite?
The satellite is over 20,000 miles away from your dish, so reception is not influenced by how high up the dish is! The only reasons for mounting a dish at a height are to prevent it from getting knocked and damaged by passers by, to keep it out of sight, and to enable the dish to 'see over' objects such as trees and buildings that may be in the line of sight to the satellite. If there are no large objects near the dish, then there is nothing to stop you mounting the dish in a fairly low position.
A dish does not have to be mounted in an inaccessible position.
If you are not sure whether objects will obstruct the line of sight from the dish to the satelllite, then have a look at the Astra installation assistant . Select your approximate location (you don't have to be too accurate) using the map provided and select 'Astra 28.2' for UK channels. You can enter the height and distance from any obstacles and see if the line of sight to the satellite is likely to be obstructed. You can also see the elevation angle required for the dish and the azimuth (direction - eg 28 degrees East of South). This is discussed in more detail later down this page.
Do I have to apply for planning permission to put up a satellite dish?
In most cases, permission is not required for a standard minidish or other reasonably small dish. Exceptions apply to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Suffolk and Norfolk Broads, Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings and blocks of flats.
Use this link to the Government's Planning Website and type in 'satellite dish' in the search box to see guidance concerning the installation of satellite dishes in your area. Your Local Authority will also have guidance on this subject.
Can I paint my dish to disguise its appearance?
Yes - this won't affect the performance of the dish. Use a non-metallic paint suitable for external use.
