With a satellite antenna you connect to a satellite that communicates information with your satellite receiver or satellite decoder. Because you can receive the satellite signal clearly, you can watch satellite television. You can do this from a fixed location in the Netherlands, but you can also watch satellite television if you live abroad or if you are traveling by boat or camper. You can only connect to a satellite if it is within your range. A satellite dish still cannot 'go around the corner' to get a signal on the other side of the world. Do you want to purchase an antenna for a specific purpose? Then find out in advance whether that goal is feasible and, if so, with which equipment and with which options you can achieve this. Be sure to look at the basic models and the more luxurious versions. Investing a little more can offer much more ease of use and options than the more limited models.
Choosing a satellite antenna
Satellite dishes are ideal if you live in a rural area. You can also use them to receive internet. Even if you travel a lot and like to watch Dutch television, a dish is ideal. Are you a foreigner yourself and do you want to be able to receive television from your home country? Then there is undoubtedly a satellite dish that can do this. Make sure you choose the right dish. You can do this based on size, price, purpose or what you can receive with it. There are cheap and expensive dishes and it is always wise to ask a specialist for advice if you are not sure which type you need for your purpose.
How does the weather affect your satellite antenna?
Your antenna makes contact with a satellite that is almost forty thousand kilometers from Earth. In bad weather, the quality of reception may decrease or signal reception may even temporarily disappear. For example, it may happen that you have no picture on your television during heavy cloud cover or heavy rain or thunderstorms. Even in snowy conditions, your dish may have difficulty connecting and receiving a good signal. Are you in an area where the weather is regularly bad? Then you can take this into account when purchasing your dish and the size you choose.
What difference does the size of the antenna make?
The format ultimately determines the strength - and therefore the quality - of the reception of the satellite signal. With a larger dish you can get better reception even in bad weather. For example, if you compare the i6p of the Intellian brand of sixty centimeters with the i9p of eighty-five centimeters, you will have much better signal tracking with the latter model, which means you will continue to have good reception even in rough seas or at higher sailing speeds. With the i9p you also have much further reach within the borders of Europe. Where the i6p ends, you can go a lot further with the i9p.
Who installs your satellite antenna?
If you do not have two left hands and regularly do odd jobs, you are probably handy enough to install your dish yourself. Someone who has DIY experience will recognize the required material for installation in the manual. The extensive manual for the dishes takes you step by step through the installation of the dish and the connection to the rest of the system. With a satellite finder you can also easily manually select the strongest signal for your dish. If you prefer to leave the installation to a professional, hire an installation technician to professionally attach the antenna.
When do you choose a portable antenna?
You do not necessarily have to choose a satellite dish with permanent mounting. You can also choose a portable kit. A portable kit is ready-made. You just have to unpack it, unfold it, put it down and aim it for reception. If you are traveling with a camper, caravan or tent, this can be a good solution. The travel bag protects the kit and the total package weighs less than eight kilos. This portable kit is guaranteed to contribute to your traveling pleasure.
Satellite systems for specific countries
If you do not stay within European waters, but travel further into the world's oceans, you can choose to purchase a system for a specific country. There are opportunities for dedicated satellite systems in North America, Australia, New Zealand, China and Latin America. Sometimes you can also choose a combination of countries. You only need to subscribe to the service provider to be able to establish the service with the satellite.
What is the difference between a regular satellite antenna and a model with Wide Range Search (WRS)?
There are brands that offer a technology called Wide Range Search. This technology ensures that your dish constantly searches for and identifies satellite signals. Once a signal is identified, the tracking system ensures that you do not lose the signal. There is also Dynamic Beam Tilting. This is a system that compensates for the dynamics of the speed. It captures the signal clearly, without being affected by the weather or the waves. Even in less calm waters, thanks to a satellite dish, you always have the desired entertainment on board for yourself, your family or other passengers.
