Can you get indoor satellite dishes that can pick up digital TV in poor signal area?

Question

I am not allowed a satellite dish as I live in a listed building, not even one of the new discrete ones (the Squish). I cannot pick up freeview with a digital set-top box as we are in an area that gets a weak (or non-existant) signal. The switchover to digital is due to happen in 2010. We have no cable in our area. We cannot even get any of the services offered by Virgin or BT as these need to be able to get a digital signal. Therefore we can only pick up the four basic channels, we can't even pick up channel 5. What I would like to know is how do I get around this. Is there such a thing as an indoor satellite dish that really works? We have tried booster ariels etc but have had no joy. Someone from Sky said they thought you could get an indoor dish, but I can find nothing about it.

Answer 1

there is an item a that turns your window pane into a 'holographic' dist using concentric rings of aluminium on a foil backing it acts like and active antenna (bit like Fresnel lens if you know your optics) and has the detector built it - it's not suitable for multi-room as the LNB is single one only).

not sure where to buy it form but saw it on those tech programs (and no not on 1st April) and am searching the internet for it ..

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

I used to live in an area where I was restricted to just the basic 5 channels. There is a Sky dish that you can get for caravans that may work in your situation. They cost about £70 and can be home installed. I imagine you put it on the windowsill inside and point it at a satelite. It must be able to tune itself in because it is portable.

As for all the channels that I now get, you aren't missing much.

Answer 4

an indoor mounted dish would have to be facing 28.2degrees east and not have anything blocking the line of sight. its possible but very difficult and would look c**p. try digicams uk, they have several fixed external solutions for covert dish (hidden inside a box or inside a wall light) as well as a table mount dish.

http://www.digicams-uk.com/category20_1....

also you might find occasionally some of their products second hand on eBay for a good price

Answer 5

http://www.maplin.co.uk/searchtemplate.a...

there ya go ;-)

Answer 6

no such thing as an indoor dish.You would have to get planning permission. Or you could have your dish mounted on a patio mount so it is not on the building at all.

I have this as I live in a conservation area!  

Answer 7

A satellite dish has to have a clear view of the satellite in the sky. Anything blocking it will stop the signal.  Therefore the only way an indoor dish would work is if it were sitting by an open window, which wouldn't be that practical.

There is an EU law saying that people have a right to have a satellite dish on their house as long as it is below a certain size. I think it overrules any UK listed building planning regulations, but you would need to check this.

If you only want Sky then your dish can be set quite low and still see the satellite - If you set it low on the back of your house very few people will see.  If you don't have a lot of trees around you then you may be able to fix it to a concrete base on the ground in your garden, or on the back of a garage or barn. You could of course make a tall frame in your garden and affix the dish to that...

Answer 8

http://www.dishzero.com/?ref=0cc2fb7d

these guys can answer your questions.

http://www.dishzero.com/?ref=0cc2fb7d

Answer 9

I had a dish on a 3ft pole in a garden border, no problem providing the dish is completely free of any obstructions.