AVForums

Our philosophy in our forums, reviews, podcasts and feature videos is to promote audio and visual excellence by gathering and sharing the best information and resources available.

Help

To begin please visit our help section »

Not a Member Yet?

It only takes a minute to start enjoying the benefits of AVForums membership, and it's free!

Member Log in

Satellite dish not allowed in new appartment block... d'oh... need help/advice

Post Reply
Old 28-03-2006, 6:17 PM   #1
d912mv
Guest
Posts: n/a
Satellite dish not allowed in new appartment block... d'oh... need help/advice

Hi,

I've got sky+ and am moving into a new appartment block next week... guess what? No satellite dishes allowed.... d'oh. If only I thought about that before I signed!

Anyway, I need help. The thought of living without sky+ makes me weep.

I'm thinking... can the dish work behind glass? i.e. could i some how position the dish inside the flat and point it in the right direction? Would that work or would the signal be stopped by the glass?

Does the dish need to point to the exact place? Is it easy enough to fit, point and move-until-picture-is-ok?

I'm sure others must have similar issues and intuitive ways around this problem. Anyone any ideas? I could always get Telewest in but it's just not the same and i've 6 months to run on my contract...

Thanks for any help given.

dan
  Quote
Old 28-03-2006, 7:29 PM   #2
Veteran Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Nottingham
Experience Points:
16,736, Level: 31
Points: 16,736, Level: 31 Points: 16,736, Level: 31 Points: 16,736, Level: 31
Activity: 0.7%
Activity: 0.7% Activity: 0.7% Activity: 0.7%
Thanks: Gave 42, Got 341
Posts: 6,193
Quote:
Originally Posted by d912mv
Hi,

I've got sky+ and am moving into a new appartment block next week... guess what? No satellite dishes allowed.... d'oh. If only I thought about that before I signed!

Anyway, I need help. The thought of living without sky+ makes me weep.

I'm thinking... can the dish work behind glass? i.e. could i some how position the dish inside the flat and point it in the right direction? Would that work or would the signal be stopped by the glass?

Does the dish need to point to the exact place? Is it easy enough to fit, point and move-until-picture-is-ok?

I'm sure others must have similar issues and intuitive ways around this problem. Anyone any ideas? I could always get Telewest in but it's just not the same and i've 6 months to run on my contract...

Thanks for any help given.

dan
This might be a solution - http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page17.htm#multimo , no guarantee it'll work though plus you'll need a window which faces the right direction. A cheaper solution might be to pick up a cheap second-hand minidish with LNB, mount on a tripod to see if you can pick something up indoors.
  Quote
Old 30-03-2006, 8:05 PM   #3
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Experience Points:
2,825, Level: 12
Points: 2,825, Level: 12 Points: 2,825, Level: 12 Points: 2,825, Level: 12
Activity: 4.7%
Activity: 4.7% Activity: 4.7% Activity: 4.7%
Thanks: Gave 6, Got 4
Posts: 138
if u have a balcony cant you put it on the balcony and then use a garden furniture cover to hide it?? Thats what i have done and there is no loss in signal - but it has to be the cheap thin woven plastic type covers.
  Quote
Old 31-03-2006, 9:19 AM   #4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Experience Points:
7,032, Level: 19
Points: 7,032, Level: 19 Points: 7,032, Level: 19 Points: 7,032, Level: 19
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 82, Got 315
Posts: 2,292
Have you asked the freeholders about installing a communal dish? It seems to me very unreasonable -= especially with the impending turn-off of analogue - for the landlords to ban individual dishes and not install a communal dish. Also, at the moment Sky themselves seem to be pushing communal dish installation - I saw a newspaper ad the other day. As far as I can remember it said that if you lived in a block of up to 28 flats, if you can yourself organise 3 or 4 other people who want a communal dish, Sky will then take it from there - rope in other people, presumably negotiae with the landlord, and give free installation. (Incidentally, I live in a block with a communal Sky dish; but in fact am very happy with Freeview from the communal aerial.)
  Quote
Old 22-04-2006, 12:14 PM   #5
New Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wrexham
Experience Points:
4,247, Level: 15
Points: 4,247, Level: 15 Points: 4,247, Level: 15 Points: 4,247, Level: 15
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 17, Got 1
Posts: 28
Hi,

Sorry if it's a bit late but oly just joined forum. If you do go the tripod route look on EBay, I picked up tripod, dish, lnb and cable for about £25.

Hope this helps.

Ian
  Quote
Old 22-04-2006, 3:28 PM   #6
Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Merseyside
Experience Points:
4,219, Level: 15
Points: 4,219, Level: 15 Points: 4,219, Level: 15 Points: 4,219, Level: 15
Activity: 0.4%
Activity: 0.4% Activity: 0.4% Activity: 0.4%
Thanks: Gave 3, Got 12
Posts: 243
There is an EU directive that says every member should be free to have a satellite dish and no obstacle should be put in their way. Here's the reference: http://www.eubusiness.com/Homepage_O...tellite%20dish

If you can't get the management to install a communal dish then I should have a word with your MEP.

Last edited by Robbie34; 22-04-2006 at 3:31 PM.
  Quote
Old 22-04-2006, 3:38 PM   #7
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Experience Points:
4,387, Level: 15
Points: 4,387, Level: 15 Points: 4,387, Level: 15 Points: 4,387, Level: 15
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 23, Got 8
Posts: 317
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robbie34
There is an EU directive that says every member should be free to have a satellite dish and no obstacle should be put in their way. Here's the reference: http://www.eubusiness.com/Homepage_O...tellite%20dish

If you can't get the management to install a communal dish then I should have a word with your MEP.
Is the statement a directive? The word should tends admittedly IMH *personak*O to make the document adsisory or opinion. and the word justified is used too. Couldn't that give a freeholder a chance of saying no as......? I suppose then it would be a case of lawyers' bank balances!

Last edited by earwax; 22-04-2006 at 8:55 PM.
  Quote
Old 22-04-2006, 3:42 PM   #8
blueSGT
Guest
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally Posted by d912mv
Hi,

I've got sky+ and am moving into a new appartment block next week... guess what? No satellite dishes allowed.... d'oh. If only I thought about that before I signed!

Anyway, I need help. The thought of living without sky+ makes me weep.

I'm thinking... can the dish work behind glass? i.e. could i some how position the dish inside the flat and point it in the right direction? Would that work or would the signal be stopped by the glass?

Does the dish need to point to the exact place? Is it easy enough to fit, point and move-until-picture-is-ok?

I'm sure others must have similar issues and intuitive ways around this problem. Anyone any ideas? I could always get Telewest in but it's just not the same and i've 6 months to run on my contract...

Thanks for any help given.

dan
i work for sky... the options that you have are garden/patio mount or attach it balcony if poss....!!!
LNB need a clear line of sight... if you call sky and they can discuss the option.. but remember to get permission from freehold
  Quote
Old 24-04-2006, 10:40 AM   #9
lLin
Guest
Posts: n/a
We have the same problem that is driving us mad, we have been told that fitting a dish is not possible anyway as we have Tiles on our outside wall, and that our landlord has no intention of fitting a communual dish 'because they have to contact the council for permission' like you we have thought of a window/tripod option but have been told that it doesn't work, nor does it work with a dish in the loft as the signal will not to through the roof tiles, we cant even get cable, we have wondered if there is any connection way through the computer, perhaps anyone could let us know if this is a possibility, our other option is to move. We do have a freeview & top up but coverage is limited.
Quote:
Originally Posted by d912mv
Hi,

I've got sky+ and am moving into a new appartment block next week... guess what? No satellite dishes allowed.... d'oh. If only I thought about that before I signed!

Anyway, I need help. The thought of living without sky+ makes me weep.

I'm thinking... can the dish work behind glass? i.e. could i some how position the dish inside the flat and point it in the right direction? Would that work or would the signal be stopped by the glass?

Does the dish need to point to the exact place? Is it easy enough to fit, point and move-until-picture-is-ok?

I'm sure others must have similar issues and intuitive ways around this problem. Anyone any ideas? I could always get Telewest in but it's just not the same and i've 6 months to run on my contract...

Thanks for any help given.

dan
  Quote
Old 24-04-2006, 11:03 AM   #10
New Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Cambridge
Experience Points:
4,107, Level: 15
Points: 4,107, Level: 15 Points: 4,107, Level: 15 Points: 4,107, Level: 15
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 0, Got 0
Posts: 19
I have a house that is in a listed conservation area so am not allowed a dish on the outside of the house. Does Sky work inside a loft/attic and if so, will Sky install it there in their free installation offer?

Thanks in advance, Gary
  Quote
Old 24-04-2006, 11:45 AM   #11
Prominent Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Stockport
Experience Points:
10,489, Level: 24
Points: 10,489, Level: 24 Points: 10,489, Level: 24 Points: 10,489, Level: 24
Activity: 0.7%
Activity: 0.7% Activity: 0.7% Activity: 0.7%
Thanks: Gave 5, Got 248
Posts: 3,348
Quote:
Originally Posted by lLin
like you we have thought of a window/tripod option but have been told that it doesn't work.
Who told you that? Both work fine.

Tripod outside on a balcony is better.. you do get some attenuation through a window, but it's usually not too severe provided it's single glazing.

Last edited by Tony Hoyle; 24-04-2006 at 11:48 AM.
  Quote
Old 24-04-2006, 11:46 AM   #12
Prominent Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Stockport
Experience Points:
10,489, Level: 24
Points: 10,489, Level: 24 Points: 10,489, Level: 24 Points: 10,489, Level: 24
Activity: 0.7%
Activity: 0.7% Activity: 0.7% Activity: 0.7%
Thanks: Gave 5, Got 248
Posts: 3,348
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garipie
I have a house that is in a listed conservation area so am not allowed a dish on the outside of the house. Does Sky work inside a loft/attic and if so, will Sky install it there in their free installation offer?

Thanks in advance, Gary
No, and No.
  Quote
Old 24-04-2006, 6:39 PM   #13
Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: N1
Experience Points:
3,121, Level: 13
Points: 3,121, Level: 13 Points: 3,121, Level: 13 Points: 3,121, Level: 13
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 7, Got 2
Posts: 159
I'm in the same boat as the OP.

The tripod route sounds interesting for me as we do have a small area of that in our flat.

Would sky be able to provide me with the equipment for this or is it something I'd have to get myself?
  Quote
Old 24-04-2006, 8:26 PM   #14
vex vex is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: London, Home Counties & North West
Experience Points:
10,371, Level: 24
Points: 10,371, Level: 24 Points: 10,371, Level: 24 Points: 10,371, Level: 24
Activity: 3.7%
Activity: 3.7% Activity: 3.7% Activity: 3.7%
Thanks: Gave 27, Got 252
Posts: 2,567
d912mv.

If it is a new appartment block I would be very supprised if it did not offer at least Sky.

Who and where is the development and I might be able to check for you.
  Quote
Old 24-04-2006, 8:27 PM   #15
vex vex is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: London, Home Counties & North West
Experience Points:
10,371, Level: 24
Points: 10,371, Level: 24 Points: 10,371, Level: 24 Points: 10,371, Level: 24
Activity: 3.7%
Activity: 3.7% Activity: 3.7% Activity: 3.7%
Thanks: Gave 27, Got 252
Posts: 2,567
"that our landlord has no intention of fitting a communual dish 'because they have to contact the council for permission'"

Unless you are in a conservation area he is wrong. Contact Sky and they should be able to introduce an installer who can put your landlord right.
  Quote
Old 02-05-2006, 11:53 AM   #16
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Experience Points:
2,825, Level: 12
Points: 2,825, Level: 12 Points: 2,825, Level: 12 Points: 2,825, Level: 12
Activity: 4.7%
Activity: 4.7% Activity: 4.7% Activity: 4.7%
Thanks: Gave 6, Got 4
Posts: 138
i have moved appartment now so have no restrictions on having a dish anymore! I have found a far better solution to the balcony tripod that may move if it is windy etc.

it is a set up with an angle aluminuim base that accepts a 50X50cm paving slab and a pole bolts onto one of the corners - it has adjustable rubber feet and cost about £28 inc the 30KG paving slab.

we had a massive storm the other night and the dish didnt move one bit - its a 100cm solid dish ( I am in switzerland btw.)
  Quote
Old 02-05-2006, 11:59 AM   #17
Ex Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Experience Points:
29,695, Level: 42
Points: 29,695, Level: 42 Points: 29,695, Level: 42 Points: 29,695, Level: 42
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 69, Got 316
Posts: 9,729
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony Hoyle
Who told you that? Both work fine.

Tripod outside on a balcony is better.. you do get some attenuation through a window, but it's usually not too severe provided it's single glazing.
Only if your window/balcony faces south/east. If it faces north/west, you're stuffed, and I suspect that's lLin's problem.
  Quote
Old 02-05-2006, 7:52 PM   #18
New Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Experience Points:
4,883, Level: 16
Points: 4,883, Level: 16 Points: 4,883, Level: 16 Points: 4,883, Level: 16
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 0, Got 0
Posts: 1
Your rights to install a satellite dish according to the European

http://europa.eu.int/information_soc...antenna_en.pdf
  Quote
Old 04-05-2006, 10:19 AM   #19
lLin
Guest
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick_UK
Only if your window/balcony faces south/east. If it faces north/west, you're stuffed, and I suspect that's lLin's problem.
yes it is plus we have just had double glazing installed, so we are well and truly, so I shall be seriously considering my other option, that is to move.
  Quote
Old 04-05-2006, 12:26 PM   #20
Ex Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Experience Points:
29,695, Level: 42
Points: 29,695, Level: 42 Points: 29,695, Level: 42 Points: 29,695, Level: 42
Activity: 0%
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Thanks: Gave 69, Got 316
Posts: 9,729
If Sky reception is important to you, then moving may well be a consideration

My first two questions for any prospective property would be :

Can you get ADSL ?

Can you get Sky ?
  Quote
Old 04-05-2006, 12:58 PM   #21
Prominent Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Stockport
Experience Points:
10,489, Level: 24
Points: 10,489, Level: 24 Points: 10,489, Level: 24 Points: 10,489, Level: 24
Activity: 0.7%
Activity: 0.7% Activity: 0.7% Activity: 0.7%
Thanks: Gave 5, Got 248
Posts: 3,348
Absolutely.. in fact I'm that anal about it when I was looking at properties last year I had a map with 2.5km circles around the exchange locations & wouldn't consider anything outside that...
  Quote
Post Reply



Thread information and display options
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off