This is not all good news though as it brings us a little closer to the digital switch-over. I know this is one f my favourite subjects but I bet you a hundred pounds that some people will be sitting in the van thinking, “I wish I had listened to the digital adverts on the TV”.

This brings me to the subject of what to do next.

The choice is easy to be honest and wont even break the bank.

You have to decide if you intent to go to digital via antenna or by satellite.

Digital By Antenna

This is the easy option but may not be the best way to go forward at the moment due to the lack of service in some areas. That said you can still go on with this option as long as you have your backup standard TV with you.

The main problem is that most of the digital antennas on the market are retro fit antennas and need to be mounted externally to your vehicle.

You are going to need a suitable antenna mount such as a telescopic pole or clamp. You will also need a digital signal finder to locate the strongest signal.

If you wish to make a decent job of your installation I would also recommend a cable entry cover to keep thing neat.

The plus side to this is that the complete setup should not set you back more than £60.00.

Digital Satellite Dish

The second option would be to purchase a little satellite dish that can be taken with you on site.

This option does give you the advantage of being able to take your SKY box with you and lets you watch all your non subscription channels in the caravan, motorhome or in the narrowboat.

If I have to choose and option, this would be the one for me.

To receive television via satellite is as easy as the antenna option and its ready now.

The equipment is similar to the antenna option but uses a dish to receive the signal instead of the antenna. This dish option has no need for the telescopic mounting pole as the dish can be mounted on a flat surface like a roof or table.

The setup is quite easy once you get the hang of it and takes no more time to setup either.

The Multimo satellite dish is available in kit form with everything you need but the antenna system needs to be purchased separately.

If you need a system then please visit TSW Comsat for the MULTIMO SATELLITE DISH KIT and DIGITAL ANTENNA EQUIPMENT.

Well we have a simple solution to your problem!

Get in the car and put a small mark or piece of tape on the lower rear window to show the position of your hitch.
Now hitch your caravan to your vehicle and make two small marks on the window of your caravan so that they line up.
Now all you have to do is to line up the marks when reversing and you should be able to line up the caravan with ease.

Line up your vehicle every time

This is the video from Tim at TSW Comsat who sell the Multimo Portable Satellite Dish

Multimo

The problem seems to arise from the close proximity of the Astra 1 and Astra 2 satellites.

However this is the solution I find works the best.

SatFinder

When using the Multimo dish, you have to use a satellite finder to locate the satellite. This is relativly easy by turning the satellite finder up until it makes a noise and all the lights are illuminated.

Next turn down the Satfinder until it stops making a noise. THE TIP IS : Turn the Satfinder down an 1/8 of a turn further.

The reason for doing this is to reduce the sensitivity of the finder as the signal from Astra1 is weaker than the signal of the Astra 2 satellite. EASY

One more tip – If you are in the United Kingdom, set the hight of the dish to 23 degrees on the slide at the side.

Job Done.

I managed to stop smoking. This may not sound so remarkable but I have been smoking for 20 years.

I purchased an electronic cigaretter from UK-Electronic-Cigarettes.co.uk and tried it.

Now I an a non smoker I would like to tell everyone who smokes to give it a try the electronic cigarette is well work the cost.

This is a little about the electronic cigarette.

Like many products before it, the electronic cigarette seems to have become stronger since the health organisations urged caution, claiming not enough testing had been done to prove them safe.

Whilst the organisations distanced themselves from the electronic cigarette, the sales have continued to grow and with the UK smoking ban now entering its second winter, the thought of standing outside the pub or office in the freezing temperatures seems to be enticing smokers to try something different.

Some pubs and bars are now even beginning to sell the electronic cigarette, realising they are becoming more popular, sensing a potential profit and that the punters are becoming more willing to try them, not simply as an alternative to a cigarette but as a genuine reason not to stand outside and freeze for a smoke.

During this time of credit crunch, many smokers who don’t actually want to quit smoking altogether but are looking for something more affordable are also turning to the electronic cigarette.

With a little shopping around, the prices for smoking the electronic cigarette are vastly less than their standard counterparts. One such electronic cigarette company provides a table to show the significance of the savings and it goes a little bit like this:

Approximate only

• Electronic Cigarette:10 a day for one year = £ 122
• Real Cigarettes : 10 a day for one year = £1004

That equals a savings of more than £800 per year.

• Electronic Cigarette:40 a day for one year = £ 487
• Real Cigarettes : 40 a day for one year = £3529

That is an incredible saving of more than £3000 per year.

With those figures in mind it is not difficult to see why the electronic cigarette is becoming a very attractive proposition.

There are apparently no carcinogens or toxins in an electronic cigarette, immediately making them a far healthier alternative. Nicotine and flavourings seem to be the only substances present in the device.

In summary, with none of the dangers of real cigarettes present, a massive cost reduction over real cigarettes and social benefits too, (no dangers of passive smoking and no restrictions under the smoking bans) the electronic cigarette still provides a nicotine flavour, revealing a very genuine alternative and potential aid for those who wish to quit smoking.

As the winter’s harsh realities sink in, at least there seems to be some hope on the horizon, not just for smokers but for their families and friends too. Perhaps if the electronic cigarette proves itself in the next few years we may be approaching a new era and a much less smoky, healthier one at that.

Well it seems like owners of the EFOY power cell have now another little problem to overcome.

We have been advised by one of our well travelled customers that you are not able to transport Methanol in your vehicle through the Channel Tunnel.

We are in the process of obtaining a responce from the Chunnel people at the moment and will return to you soon.

We decided to take the lid of the Camos Dome and take it apart, we must say that we were impressed.

The Dome Satellite System from Camos is well constructed an uses high quality components from the PCB to the stainless steel bolts.

Overall the dome provided an all round package that was hard to beat.

When you take the lid of the Camos Dome you notice that the unit is very clean and well presented. (Even with the lid off the unit is tidy)

Camos Dome without Cover

The dome satellite dish is powered by some serious high speed motors which use heavy duty cam belts to move the dish.

The LNB is also a quality unit and can be skewed if you need to.

We removed the dish is self to take a closer look at the bearings that enable the Camos Dome to move with ease.

Camos Sat Dome main drive belt

Again the bearings used on the Camos Satellite Dome are tip top and would easily last a lifetime.

The whole satellite dish is self is moved using another motor which protrudes from the underside of the dish assembly.

This also has a support wheel with another heavy bearing through it.

Conclusion:

After taking the Camos Dome Satellite System apart, we found that the unit was constructed using high quality components. This ensures that the unit is free from any maintanance.

The unit is reliable and easy to install which makes it an ideal unit for the avid DIY person.

We would like to thank TSW COMSAT for providing the unit for testing.

You can also see details of how to install a Camos Dome at CamosDome.com

We are always looking for things to take apart, so if you have a unit you would like us to look at please let us know.

Review by Caravan Satellite System

For some time we have been having problems with our website as a result of the database slowdown on the servers.

They have fixed it.

Great News for US!!!

Now branded OYSTER, the company produces a large range of systems for all types of vehicles.

We are going to take a look at several systems in detail over the next few weeks, starting with the Caro Oyster Satellite system.

Oyster Caro Satellite System

The Oyster Caro satellite system is flat which reduces the profile on your vehicle.

This system is also able to cover a good footprint area given the size of the dish.

What Vehicle is the Oyster Caro Suitable for?

The Caro can be used on almost every vehicle and makes a great motorhome satellite system, caravan satellite system and even a super little system for narrowboats.

The dish is operated from inside the vehicle using a single button and a easy to use on screen menu system.

The Oyster Satellite system offers an integrated EPG. (electronic programme guide) To make program selection easy.

For those of you who are interested in the technical specifications we have included it here.

• Digital satellite aiming
• Fully automatic aiming within 30 – 60 seconds (typically)
• High-performance digital receiver with integrated electronic control.
• CI card-slot system: 2 CI slots for encrypted programmes (module and card not included)
• On-screen display: simple and convenient control of all functions via on-screen menus: pre-set TV and radio programmes (selectable languages: DE, GB, NL, FR, IT, ES, PT, SE, NO, FI, DK, CZ, GR, PL)
• 5000 station pre-sets (3500 TV / 1500 radio)
• Teletext integrated in digital receiver
• EPG: integrated electronic programme guide for information on current programme and programme overview.
• TV-set volume control by CARO remote control.
• Satellite mouse with channel display for concealed installation of receiver in a storage compartment.
• OBSC system: automatic satellite swap at programme change
• Suitable for the usage till 60 degrees of latitude north
• Multiple audio and video inputs and outputs (including Dolby Digital)
• Automatic retraction at vehicle start
• High-quality craftsmanship and durable materials
• Height: approx. 14 cm
• Weight: approx. 14 kg
• 3-year warranty and reliable service
• Options
• HDCI: Receiver with 80 GB hard disk for approx. 40 hours of recording time for your favourite TV shows, time-shift function for viewing programmes while recording, 2.5“ shock- and vibration-proof hard disk, 2 CI slots for encrypted programmes.(module and card not included).
• DVB-T: Receiver with integrated DVB-T tuner for digital terrestrial reception. (DVB-T antenna not included).

Conclusion

The Caro Oyster Satellite system is well worth the cost and is easy to use and opperate.

Oyster Satellite Systems – Oyster Caro – Oyster Cosmo – Oyster Digital – Oyster Samy