Free to Air and Freesat frequently asked questions

True movies and other channels are not appearing , how do I get them back?

From time to time broadcasters changed their transmission parameters so occasionally you need to update your receiver by doing a transponder (TP) scan.

True Movies + Other Channels have changed there frequency on 28 deg's :

Frequency : 11307 MHz
Polarity : Vertical
S/R : 27500
FEC : 2/3

CHANNEL 5 10.773 H 22000 5/6
CHANNEL 5+1 10.964 H 22000 5/6
5 USA 10.964 H 22000 5/6
5 USA+1 10.964 H 22000 5/6

CHANNEL 4 HD 11.123 V 22000 2/3

BBC News 10803 H 22000 5/6

Are Irish and UK channels available on satellite in Ireland

RTE 1, RTE 2 ,RTE News ,RTE Junior TV 3, 3e and TG4 are available right now in Ireland via a normal TV aerial and digital set top box like this one click here

BBC 1,2,3,4, ITV 1,2,3 ,4 and CH4,CH 5 and many more are available on the box linked above as well as stand alone Freesat box and satellite dish like these. click here

If I have a Sky set up, i.e.. dish & LNB installed, can I buy a Free to air box and get the Free to air channels (ITV, BBC etc) from the Sky (astra 2) satellite?

Yes you can simply replace your sky box with a Freesat box .
Freesat box (click here)

I have a Sky TV system installed & was wondering if I could connect a freesat box to same dish & use in a different room

In order to connect a freesat box you need to change the LNB (the part on the front of the sky dish where the cable connects to) to a multi output LNB called a quad Quad LNB (click here) . You also need a Free To Air box (click here) as well as cable and F connectors which you can see here , please click on CT 100 (click here)

What areas can you install Freesat in?

We can install the Freesat system in Dublin, Cavan, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and Wicklow

The DIY system we sell also works anywhere in Ireland.

We have TV also in Bedroom will that need an extra box?

To watch freesat channels on a second TV you need a second freesat box with a cable coming from the dish.

I bought a freesat box from you and it asks me for a postcode, what do I enter?

The Freesat system is UK based and it has regional variations so uses the postcode system to determine what region appears. Obviously in Ireland we do not have UK postcodes so you decide what region you wish to watch and enter the appropriate post code.

For example for Northern Ireland you could use BT7 1EB for London you could use SW1A 1AA

What hard drives can be used with the Ferguson Combo box.

Ferguson themselves recommend the Western Digital Passport but it will work with many other FAT 32 formatted drives. You can also get more information and ask questions on the Ferguson Combo forum on boards.ie which you can see by clicking here

Is it possible to collect orders?

To keep prices low (avoiding rates etc) we sell by shipping goods direct. Even with shipping added I think you will still find us cheaper than buying over the counter from other suppliers in Ireland.

Presently we have an aerial from which we get RTE 1, RTE 2, TV 3 and TG4 does freesat affect this.

Installing Freesat will not affect your existing aerial in any way and you will continue to use it in exactly the same way

I am a subscriber to the NTL basic channels (about 16) Can I have Free to Air Satellite installed and can I use both systems. How easy or difficult is it to change between them?

Yes a freesat satellite box is connected to your TV via a Scart's lead so all you need do is change channels on your TV to switch between satellite and cable or satellite and an RTE aerial.

I have a sky system installed & was wondering if I could connect A free to air box to same dish & use in a different room

In order to connect a free to air box you need to change the LNB (the part on the front of the sky dish where the cable connects to) to a multi output LNB called a quad Quad LNB (click here) . Obviously you also need a receiver such as this one , Free To Air box (click here) as well as cable and F connectors which you can see here , please click on CT 100 (click here)

Is it possible to use the BBC interactive (Press the red button) service on a Free To Air system?

Yes on an official Freesat receiver, which you can see here (click here)

How can I watch German and Italian Free to Air Channels

Italian stations are available using our free to air receiver and an 80 cm dish pointed to the Hot Bird satellite. To watch German channels you can use the same system pointed at the Astra 1 satellite or even better why not have both satellites Astra 1 and Hot bird on the same dish.

I was wondering if there such a system as a free to air receiver for an apartment without a dish .As I cant put up a dish in the apartment block

Unfortunately not, all satellite systems require a dish so unless a single dish and distribution system were installed when your apartment block was built you are unable to install your own free to air receiver

I'm looking for a satellite system that will allow me to view BBC channels and Hot bird Free to Air channels. Do I need to purchase two satellite systems to achieve this

A single receiver with an 80 cm can accomplish this using a multi LNB bracket.

Do Free to Air receivers have EPG's on them i.e.. can you receive something similar to Sky Guide with basic listings for Free to Air channels?

Free to air receivers have a now and next program guide however a seven day guide is now available on official freesat receivers here (click here)

What is meant by standard installation?

Standard installation include 20 m of cable run , allows for most installations carried out by us. However, should additional bracketry, cabling, or labour for example be required, this may incur an additional fee which will be discussed with you before work commences.

I would like to get a satellite dish to see Italian channels as well as the Sky package (English) channels. Does this mean that I need to have two satellite dishes ?

An 80 cm dish with a multi LNB bracket can accomplish this.

How many sets can I run off one satellite box?

With the arrival of High definition and the reduction in the price of set top boxes most manufacturers no longer include an RF cable output with their boxes. Most people now choose a separate box for each tv which means that you can watch any number of different channels which gives much greater viewing flexibility.

Do I need a digital TV and video?

Digital satellite equipment will work with your current TV and video equipment giving improved quality picture and sound as long as they have a Scart's socket which most TV's will have made in the last 10 years.

Where is the dish placed on my house?

The dish points in a southerly direction so if you can see where the sun is between 11 am and noon then that is the direction you are pointing. If this is at the front of your house do not despair, we can usually supply extra brackets to mount the dish at the back of your house (extra charges apply to this). We strongly recommend you do not use chimney mounting as this is against the code of practice as issued by the confederation of aerial industries, however if your chimney is the only option available we can supply a lashing kit at a small additional cost.

Will I have to tune in all of the channels myself?

No. This will be done for you when your set is installed.

Is the digital equipment stereo compatible?

Yes, stereo and Dolby (surround) compatible.

Can you tell me what size dish I need?

You can use the Sky Digital Mini dish anywhere in Ireland for reception of Astra 2 ( BBC, ITV etc.) For Astra 1 and Hot Bird an 80 cm dish is recommended

I am connected to cable TV, is it possible to receive basic cable on the same television I have the Sky satellite?

Sure, sky satellite will not affect any existing services you already have.

What services, outside of the Sky packages, are available in Ireland?

In addition to the free sat service lots of services are available with both English and other language soundtracks. Most of these services will require a pay TV receiver and viewing card. For channel lists please click here

Is it possible to run two Digibox from one dish?

Yes it is possible but you must add a multi output LNB to your existing dish and run a separate cable to the second Digibox. The new quad (four) output LNB's are available in our dishes and LNB section. Click Here

Can I use a Sky Digibox to pick up other satellites?

The Digibox has been designed to work exclusively on Sky's service.. If you wish to watch services from other providers you should consider a freesat or free to air receiver click here

Can I block out adult channels?

Yes you can. With Sky Digital you can set the age group in your family by using the parental lock function. This means a password is required to watch certain categories of programming.

Can you tell me what size dish I need?

You can use the Sky Digital Mini dish anywhere in Ireland for reception of Astra 2 ( BBC, ITV etc.) For Astra 1 and Hot Bird an 80 cm dish is recommended

Member of the Irish Internet Association