How do I set up and old Sky dish for Freesat with HD?

[Stewart]

I have an old Sky dish first used about 1992. It last worked in about 2002 then I un-subscribed from Sky. Next time I tried it (without Sky subscription but with a card) I think it only gave a very few channels and I think there became less (but that might be flaw in my memory!). I have connected the dish to a Samsung S7800 Freesat box and I get a few channels only (Channel 5 at present, but I think there were a few other channels when I first plugged it in). Do I simply have to adjust the line up of the dish to another satellite? Or is the dish not suitable now. Or is there another reason? Thanks.

 

[texk]

The old dish may not work properly anymore.The receiver in the dish may not function properly that's the bit sticking out the front it may not be compatible with the HD signal either .The free sat signals may also come from a different satellite than SKY so you may need to point the dish in a different direction .Ask your friends if they or their friends know any dish installers or TV repair specialists they may be able to lend you a signal strength meter which will tell you that you are pointing in the right direction.If you don't have a meter try looking online for satellite aerial direction information and it should tell you the angle of the dish and its general direction .Then go to google earth and find out the direction to point in relation to your house.Ideally the dish needs a clear line of sight to the satellite and any obstructions can interfere with the signal even trees.

 

[GerryAttricke]

Sky services, (including Freesat) are still on the Eutelsat satellite @ 28.5 East. No need to change. To get SKY+/HD services, you need 2 cables from the dish. This means replacing the single LNB for a quad one.
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/lnb.htm