Note The most frequent problem currently, is that, depending on whether or when the digibox received a software update from 28.2, 'other channels' can be accessed via 'TV Guide' or 'Services'. This is definitely causing confusion!!
Basically, a new digibox, or a secondhand one that has not been connected to Sky for some time will (usually) access 'other channels' via the 'TV Guide'. Any digibox that has been connected to Sky at 28.2 for even just one day will have had its original software overwritten (normally overnight) which will mean that 'other channels' are accessed via 'Services'. 
It can be useful accessing 'other channels' via 'TV Guide' as this can be accessed manually using the digibox controls rather than the remote control. 'Services' can only be accessed using the remote. See menu screens at Caroline digital tuning information

Hi Martin,
The software updates are normally to update programme details, sometimes to alter the menu and sometimes to rearrange the EPG. For instance radio channels were recently rearranged so that Radio 1 moved from channel 911 to 851. If you only use your digibox for 19.2/Caroline you should have no problems. If you ever do connect it to 28.2 you might need to wait a while for the software to update, although this never seems to take long. As an example a digibox made 12 months ago will already have a version of the software installed. You will read your instruction book, get used to the menu, go to bed and find next morning that the original software has been overwritten. If Caroline ever moves frequency the Astra 1G satellite will update the software in the digibox so that you don't have to retune. I foresee no problems for you whatsoever.

Happy listening,

Chris

Hi Martin,
No, it's not a daft question. The box will work without a card. If connected to 28.2 you can see around 20 TV channels (but not BBC, Ch4 0r 5, for which you do need a Free card) and listen to about 50 radio channels. I currently have a SKY digibox connected to 19.2 without a card. In fact, this box has never been connected to 28.2 and consequently has its original software. I am just updating the website to cover this - for some digiboxes operating on their original software, accessing 'other channels' is via the 'TV guide' menu. Within a few hours of connecting to 28.2 the original software is overwritten by SKY.

Chris

Question 3

.... question about whether a digibox needs to be connected to 28.2 for any particular reason.

If you only intend to use the box for 19.2 then there is no need to return to 28.2. You will miss out on any software updates but they are only for menu changes and programme details. If you want to occasionally use the digibox at 28.2 and you already have a card, perhaps for the Free to Air BBC, Ch4 & 5 services, then it may be worth parking the digibox overnight once each week. Anecdotal evidence suggests that cards can lose their memory! I find this hard to believe and have turned my digibox off for 2 weeks without losing the ‘card’ channels. So, to reiterate, if you only wish to use the digibox for Caroline and anything else that interests you at 19.2 then you will have no problems.

And, just in case you were wondering, the digibox does not need to be connected to the telephone network.

L.A.

Chris 

Hi Barry,
I assume from your letter that you still have your analogue dish and box. If so keep it - sky will want to take the dish away and the terms of their contract allow them to charge you extra if you want to keep it!! The analogue box will still be useful, even if you only use it as a means to tune an LNB into 19.2 because if you have a good analogue picture you will certainly have a good digital signal. This won't work for 28.2 because there are not usually any analogue signals there. If you know who is fitting it, ask them what they will do, and I certainly recommend ordering $ky from an independent satellite/aerial installer, rather than $ky, Dixons, Currys etc. You will then be able to choose the make of digibox and still get the £100 'FREE' offer (as long as the installer participates in the Sky offer) You may need a new LNB. £15 - 25 is average. If it looks like they will charge extra for leaving your old dish it may be worth temporarily taking it down. At present there is no means of attaching another LNB to a sky minidish, so you WILL need your old dish. As you assert you will need two cables, one from each LNB. You can then simply change them over at the digibox or, if you revisit my site you will find a digibox LNB switch, controlled via the sky remote. Look for 'NEW'. It is not possible to move the minidish as the angles really are critical. You may never find 28.2 again!
Interestingly there never seems to be a problem with the digibox working at 19.2. It's only when you return to Sky at 28.2 that the box seems to throw a tantrum. Unplugging the box from mains power for a couple of minutes clears it. HOWEVER, There is another way to reset the box if it locks up. Using Sky remote select 'Services' then '4' then '4' again. Highlight 'Find Channels'. You should then have three channels shown, ITV, TEST and EPG. Highlight one of them, place a tick using the yellow button and this usually boots it into action at 28.2. Whilst you have a contract with Sky don't forget to 'park' the digibox at 28.2, whenever you are not listening to Caroline. 

Don't hesitate to ask me to explain anything that I may have made sound difficult!

Good Luck
LA

Chris 

Hi Chris

Thanks for your e-mail, yes you can put my name on your web-site. a quote from your website "There are other more technical ways of mounting two or more LNBs on one dish" What do you mean by this, the reason I ask is that I can only have one dish, so could I keep the dish I have now and have a d/LNB stuck on it at 28.2 East, regarding the switch how much is that and since I do not have your web-page I got the info from the caroline de site. there is a Guy who lives in Whistable Kent or I could go to Argos. As there is a guy down stairs who has Sky could I not attach a extra line from his dish  ??? 

Yours. Caroline Continues ( J/Walker 67 )

 BARRY

Hi again Barry,
Yes, you can have two LNB's on your old dish, but you'll need to know a bit about the dish. Have a look at
http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page1.htm
and you'll see new dishes, LNB's and an adjustable arm for 19.2/28.2. I think Argos will be a waste of space - they sell the system but not the knowledge. You need an experienced installer. You can do it all yourself but you will need a satellite finding meter - even then 28.2 has a very weak signal.
The only way to share with someone elses' dish is if they have two outlets on the LNB for two separate cables. At present I don't think there is a double LNB that will fit on the Sky minidish.

Let me know how you get on,

Chris

I asked satcure.co.uk about hot digiboxes, not 'hot', as in stolen, just extremely warm...

 I have used various digiboxes and curently use a Panasonic DSB 31.(our 'Free' digibox, having already bought a non contract box for £288 last year) Why does it seem to run so damned hot? I have a DSB 30, which I am rather decadently using just for reception of Radio Caroline at 19.2, and this doesn't seem too warm. Any comments? Will all DSB 31's have short lives? I can see why you sell fan modifications!

Best wishes > >Chris 

Thank you very much for the link to one of my web sites. I'll look at your site and reciprocate if I can. With regard to heat, this is all about speed and ventilation. All receivers have a high frequency tuner which runs damn warm (taking typically 1/2 Amp at 5 volts = 2.5 Watts , plus a power supply which is more efficient than a transformer but still runs damn warm. But a major factor is processor speed. In order to get faster channel change etc. they use a faster processor (so all other chips run faster, too). The result is more wasted energy in the form of heat. You *must* leave a *minimum* 15 cm air gap above the receiver in unenclosed space (open front and rear). Hot air rises vertically and it can do that only if there's a large vertical gap AND if cold air can get in below. In many cases customers don't want such an installation - usually for cosmetic reasons - so the only answer is to fit a fan to keep the air circulating. It doesn't solve the problem but it alleviates it. Kind Regards, Martin Martin T. Pickering B.Eng. satcure.co.uk ________________________

Hi Chris,
When I get sorted out near the end of this month I have decided that I
will go for the Free to air...  ...plus 2 LNB's switch/adaptor etc ...
Now lets say I am on 28.2E and go to 19.2E for caroline when switched
over will it automatic go to the caroline frequency
hoping to hear
yours
>
>BARRY

Hi Barry,
No, it will not go straight to Caroline. You will need to go into the menu every time to find 'other channels' , then select 'Radio Caroline'. I will be covering this point in an update to the website...

Bye for now
Chris

Hi,
Nice to hear from you again. OK, a digibox currently(15th May 2001) connected to Sky has software version 2. 7a. 2*. Your box shows 2. 6a. 9. I have a digibox connected permanently to 19.2 which has never received a software download from 28.2. Its software is 2. 5. 10 and 'other channels' are accessed via 'TV guide', then 8. See if your box is like this. I have covered this problem in an update of the tuning info at the site. Let me know how you get on.

Cheers.

Chris
http://www.vinylgems.fsnet.co.uk/caroline.htm

Hello Chris,

thanks for the help, tv guide and 8 was the answer, thanks again and we now have another listener...

Regards

Hi I have just purchased a sky digibox for £59 from a shop called cash converters It appears to be unused and is a PACE BSKYB 2500S3 I have followed your detailed instructions on your website to tune to Caroline but have a problem I have a dish pointed at 19.2 which works with my old analogue box - the LNB is marked UNIVERSAL AE54  - the dish is accessable as it is located just above my patio doors I have connected the satellite coax to the digital box and can access the set up menus I entered services / system set up / add channels and entered the frequencies as you state and find channels which brings up a list including Radio Caroline I have then selected (ticked) all of the stations on that menu and then pressed select and get the message channel line up complete - press select to continue I then go back to services and click on FAVOURITES (number 5 on my screen) there is no number 6 It then says searching for listings then NO SIGNAL RECEIVED It seems that it is not storing the channels ??     I do not have a viewing card - does this matter, just to listen to Caroline. Any advice would be much appreciated 

Many thanks 

Tony Carrick
Harrogate

Hi Tony,
Did you e-mail direct from the caroline.de website or have you been to my
site?  If you visit my site you'll find every problem covered
(hopefully!). I think you have a box that has its old menu still. If this is
the case you will access 'other channels' from 'TV Guide' then '8'. You will
find Caroline ready and waiting. All except one of the TV channels
associated with Caroline are encrypted and you will not be able to see them.
If you know the correct frequencies you can receive also Sky News, CNN,
Travel Channel and a whole host of Free (but mainly foreign) TV and radio
channels. You should find a link to the Astra site at 
http://www.vinylgems.fsnet.co.uk

Please let me know if it works..and I would like to use your question at the
site, anonymously if you wish.

Happy listening

Chris

Thank you very much for your help and I have since checked out your website and see that you do cover this situation

I suppose I panicked a bit as I had transported the box over 200 miles via National Express and it did not do what the detailed manual described

Yes, you can use my e-mail if you still wish to

thanks again
Tony Carrick

Don't try this at home...

>Subject: Re: Digital Caroline
>Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2001 00:58:12 +0100
>
>Dear Chris.
.you might like to add the following to your website ie to go
>from
>28.2e to 19.2e lets say you were watching skynews and then wanted to go to
>caroline still in the 28.e mode go services then go down to add channels
>were
>you should have caroline if you stored it in the first place, go to caroline
>and press select 10to 12secs later you will see no signal then change over
>leads
>and caroline come.s in automatic and when you go back to sky same as before
>select one of two skys items switch leads and sky will come on automatic
>and that is leaving the machine switched on and it works.
>got the switch gear but it is not working as the service guy tested it, one
>of the
>connections on the scart lead is in the wrong place ie wrong pin on the
>scart
>so he has one other so I hope to have that sorted out some-time next week.

Hi Barry,
Yes, I do know you can do this to change satellites, but I also know that if you change over connections whilst the digibox is powered up you can short out the LNB connection and cause lots of damage. I change over like this, you changeover like this, but not everyone is careful - this is why I did not want to advise this on the website. If I had I would be open to accusations of causing damage to other peoples digiboxes.
Nevertheless, I would like to post your information and this reply under the heading "At your own risk" or "Don't try this at home". That would be good way of letting people know but warning them as well. One Sky installer told me that a digibox should never even be turned on without an LNB being connected...

Cheers for now,

Chris

Roland Beaney wrote asking what other English language channels are available at 19.2 in digital.

Frequencies do occasionally alter but, as of 27th June 2001, the following are available:

Sky News @ 12.552V; 22000; 5/6
CNN @ 12.168V; 27500; 3/4
Travel @ 12.168V; 27500; 3/4
Wishline @ 12.610V; 22000; 5/6

If you have two dishes and only one digibox here is the answer:-  SatCure's CS012 switch is ideal for switching between two LNBs for 19.2'E and 28.2'E. You can even change over LNB's using your Sky remote! Further details...   http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/cs012.htm

At the same site are dishes, LNB's and an adjustable arm to enable you to fit LNB's for 19.2 & 28.2 on the same dish! Further details...  http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page1.htm

Question 12

Hello Chris..

Wonderful website, thanks for all the help and info.  I have been listening to Caroline since

Caroline north sailed into Ramsey Bay, Isle of Man.

I missed it all when the analogue closed down, but I

now have got a digi box and listening again LOUD and

CLEAR on freq.12.726 together with a couple of classic

radio stations, I found by chance.

I havent found any TV stations yet, even though I have

the frequencies for Sky News/CNN etc also I do want to

listen again to Sky Radio from Holland on 12.574 H

22000-5/6, but no luck in finding these.

Can you help please? The freq.on the Pace box I have,

goes up to 12.750 (max) is this the problem?

Looking forward in hearing from you.

Kind Regards...Geoff Brown

Hi Geoff,

Many thank for the kind words. If you are using the frequency 12.726 you do not have a Universal LNB. Effectively by typing in the 'wrong frequency' you are fooling the digibox into thinking that it is connected to a Universal LNB. Unfortunately this will only work up to a certain frequency (If you want to know all the technical details there is a *really* detailed explanation about different LNBs at: http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/lnb.htm   ) Obviously the other channels you are seeking are beyond the range of your current LNB. Take a look at the 'stop press' further down this page. I assume you have already tried using 'wrong frequencies' in the same way that you tuned in Caroline? A Universal LNB costs anything from £15 upwards. It is simple to change but, to prevent the ingress of water, you must seal the cable connection with self amalgamating tape. Also, be aware that there are different diameter clamps so you must check what physical size LNB you will need to fit on your existing dish.

Best wishes,
Chris

Question 13

Chris,

From today I have a new digibox (Panasonic TU-DSB30) connected to my old analogue dish and can pick up Caroline on 12.726 ghz, absolutely wonderful!

Two questions:
1. What type of LNB does this mean I have (as the frequency should be 11.876ghz)?
2. Should I change to a universal LNB to correct the frequency?
3. Much more importantly how do I retune the output frequency of my new digibox (Panasonic)poined at 19.2 degrees from its preset ch 68? I must do this as it is the same output frequency as my and original and still used digibox pointing to 28 degrees (Pace).  The two digiboxes (and remotes)  co-interfere at present unless one is switched off.
4. Should I retune my new Panasonic digibox to say ch 50 (ie furthest away from other terrestrial or satellite output channels) to remove the interference? I hope I can do this, just need to get into the installation menu I guess. All help & suggestions will be gratefully received, I imagine some other Caroline digital listeners have had this problem.

LA

Mike

Hi Mike,

If you only want to use your digibox for Caroline then there is no need to change the LNB. To learn more about LNBs have a look at http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/lnb.htm . To change frequency you need to access the installation menu. Using the Sky digi remote press 4, 0, 1, Select. You should now be in the 'INSTALLER SET UP' menu. Now select 'RF OUTLETS' where you will be able to adjust the UHF channel number. Bear in mind that, as well as terrestrial signals, your video recorder could also be causing interference. The only suggestion I have is by trial and error to try every channel number until you are successful. Sorry to offer nothing more technical. If you are still having a problem try contacting Martin Pickering at www.satcure.co.uk

Regarding controlling the digiboxes with the remote control operating both digiboxes at the same time. If the Panasonic has its original software you can select other channels by using the digibox controls (see the main Caroline tuning page) so, if you only use the Panasonic DSB30 for Caroline you will find that a 20pence coin placed in the lower middle part of the black plastic fascia will effectively block the remote control signal!

Cheers, Chris
 

STOP PRESS>> I am indebted to Mark Stafford; Tony Allegranza; Helmut Runge & Mark Hawkins for obtaining the following information about using old LNB's for digital reception. It is possible....(see mailing no. 1722 at the Caroline mailing list.)

 This has now been incorporated into the digital reception information page

.......In reality this is important news as several people have called me in a panic to say. I've stuck my digibox on the 19 East dish and it doesn't work ! Tell them if 11.876 doesn't work to then input 12.726 then finally input 12.476. Then and only then buy a new LNB. That is assuming you only want Caroline of course. If you want other stuff on 19 East your LNB will "run out of steam" at around 12.000 or so. Plus all your tuning frequencies will have to have .850 added to them. Thanks again to everyone.  Mark Stafford

There is a *really* detailed explanation about different LNBs at: http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/lnb.htm  

"The vinyl record sale that appears on all these pages is my record collection, much of it Radio Seagull friendly... The original site just gave details of the record sale and how to listen to Radio Caroline on Analogue Satellite and the Internet. That was in Spring 2000 and things have progressed somewhat! 
I received my first radio on Christmas Day 1966, age 11, and within hours I was hooked on the Pirate Radio Stations. The first singles I bought were 'Time Seller' by Spencer Davis; 'Alone Again Or' by Love; 'Defecting Grey'  by Pretty Things and 'Here we go round the Mulberry Bush' by Traffic. First EP was 'Magical Mystery Tour'. First albums were Sgt. Pepper; The Who Sell Out; In Search of the Lost Chord (Moody Blues); Mr. Fantasy (Traffic) and the Island records sampler 'You can all Join In'. From little acorns did (eclectic) musical tastes and radio listening (perhaps not just listening!) habits grow...

The Vinyl Gems webmaster (Chris Bent, a.k.a. 'Chris B.') is currently  presenting a programme on the legendary Radio Seagull. For further details and playlists click on the 'Chris B' button on the above navigation bar.

Chris

Vinyl Record Sale