Sky systemsThree ways to get a system from Sky. Many other ways as well! |
Non-Sky systemsMany options - more Christian channels and more control. |
This page index
• A Sky DIY system.
• A non-Sky DIY system
• Fitting a satellite dish
DIY satellite.
Here, we look at DIY options in more detail, starting with Sky. Not decided on Sky or non-Sky yet? Check out our Which system page.
A Sky DIY system.
You buy a new, refurbished or secondhand Sky digibox and fit a dish and cable yourself. If you're in a flat and have satellite available from a wall socket, then simply plug in a receiver.
Melksham Satellites Ltd sell complete DIY Satellite Packages: For instance a Pace DS440n, with cable and dish (with wall bracket and LNB) for £128.95 including UK mainland delivery.
Dish installation guidance can be found on other websites listed in Fitting a satellite dish below. A 45cm sky dish with LNB and fixing bracket costs £25 from Brymar. Find out more about buying a receiver on our Buying a receiver page.
You'll have no contract or subscription, just a one-off cost. Remember, Freesat-from-Sky is only £150, so DIY is for those who want to be in control or like the satisfaction of doing it themselves. Maybe your installation is classed by Sky as 'non-standard' so DIY might be cheaper.
You will get all the Free-to-Air channels on the Sky EPG, including all the Christian, BBC and ITV channels. If you want Ch4 and Ch5, you can buy a 5 year viewing card for £20 from Freesat-from-Sky by calling 0870 240 5651. This card will also give you the Sky Parental Control facility.
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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No contract with Sky. A one-off cost, which will be even cheaper if using a refurbished or second-hand digibox. Receive all 220 Free-to-Air channels on the Sky EPG including all the Christian, BBC and ITV channels. An ideal choice if you only want satellite radio as no TV or technical knowledge needed for tuning. No need to connect the digibox to a phone line. |
Cost varies. New digibox £120. Reconditioned digibox £100. Second-hand £50. Christian TV sell second-hand for £45 + P&P If you want Ch4 & Ch5 you can get a 5 year TV viewing card from 'Freesat-from-Sky' for £20 by ringing 0870 240 5651. Some unwholesome free channels on the Sky EPG. No Parental Control unless you buy a 'Freesat-from-Sky' card. The challenge of fitting and aiming the dish accurately. |
A non-Sky DIY system
With this option you'll have to tune in your own choice of channels. You can receive all the Christian, BBC and ITV channels if you aim your dish at the Astra satellite. You may decide to choose the Hotbird satellite. This has many International channels and covers all of Europe.
You buy a Free-to-Air non-Sky receiver, dish and cable and fit it yourself. You can buy via mail order, a local satellite supplier, from a Lidl or Aldi supermarket, a local classified advert or from local installer if they have a receiver to dispose of.
Christian-Sat www.christian-sat.co.uk (no connection with this site) offer an extensive range of good value Self Install DIY systems by mail order, complete with fitting instructions, for either Astra or Hotbird.
Maplin sell a DIY Satellite system for £90.
Find out more about buying a receiver on our Buying a receiver page. Websites with dish installation guidance are listed in Fitting a satellite dish below.
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
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No Sky contract.
One-off cost from about £120 with a new receiver. Includes all Christian, BBC and ITV channels. Some systems come with a pre-tuned receiver. Some of the new satellite receivers will scan and tune themselves to all available Free-to-Air channels. |
The challenge of fitting and aiming the dish accurately. You have to buy the dish and cable. With some receivers, you will need to tune in all channels yourself which requires becoming familiar with GHz, polarisation etc. No Ch4 or Ch5, but you can still receive these using your existing aerial. Without the convenience of the Sky EPG. |
Hiu-Pak sent this message: I bought a mini satellite system from Aldi, which cost me £59.99. It is small and portable.
I spent an afternoon to set it up and managed to get all the Christian channels. It is not difficult to setup.
However, the box has been pre-tuned to 4000 stations, and more than half are subscription only, a fourth are porn and the remaining eighth are foreign,
so essentially, you only have a handful to watch. Also, it doesn't pick up SKY and premiership football.
But for Christian viewing, it is more than enough.
Because of the porn channels, caution is needed when trying to find the stations.
Of course, I later found out that I could have used the 'find' function to locate the stations if I knew their names,
then I could just group them into the 'favourites'. I hope this is helpful.
BTW, I think the satellite my dish is pointing at is 'Hotbird'.
DIY advice
Fitting a satellite dish
I can't advise on DIY fitting but there are plenty of experts who can! There is no shortage of advice on the internet already, so take a look at these sites:-
A dish can be placed at ground level
- Satalogue. Try www.satalogue.com for free technical advice and instructions on DIY installation.
- Satcure Produce a downloadable eBook called Installing Sky Digital TV. See it at http://www.satcure.co.uk/installing_sky_digital
- Christian TV Guide. Comprehensive instructions are given at www.ChristianTVguide.co.uk
Dish placement restrictions
You may find that your home has a restriction that prevents the fitting of a satellite dish. If you live in a flat, listed building or conservation area, contact your landlord or seek advice from the planning department of your local council.
Tips
- Look at other properties in your area. You may find that dish placement restrictions have been overcome by discreet placement.
- Ask a local satellite installer how they have complied with the local restrictions.
Government Guidelines for satellite dishes
A Householder's Planning Guide for the Installation of Antennas, including Satellite Dishes can be downloaded from the Communities and Local Government website.
The Governments Planning Regulations were changed on 27 October 2005, making the rules the same for any type of antenna. Here is a press release introducing the new regulations.