The Caravan Owners Club

[John C Coleman]

I was thinking of buying a small, inexpensive portable satellite TV system, has anyone got any advice for me.

Do you need a card to receive all programs?

Will my Sky TV card from home work in the portable 12v system?

John Coleman

[denwod]

In answer to your question I have satelite for My caravan as we can't receive terrestial tv but your card from home will not work as they are dedicated to only one sky box, the only way you can do it is to get a sky freeview card and have it switched on over a mobile phone you don't now have to have a land line connected cost is £20 for card as one off payment the details are on sky web site. hope this will be of help.

[greenplum]

Or you can take your box and the card with you.....also if you use your card from home you can get extra channels on any box but as denwood pointed out your subscription card for your paid package is dedicated to one sky box

[Roy Armstrong]

Until recently I have been using a Panasonic box which failed, so I have purchased two used Pace boxes and the card from the original Panasonic works fully in both Pace boxes.
I use one Pace in the house and leave one in the caravan and just take the card with me.

[greenplum]

Well that's handy to know Roy as I was always under the impression it was as I posted (sub's card locked onto a box). I have 5/6 working boxes lying around I'll put myself out and try them with my card. If it works as you say I have a spare tiny 12v Pace box for the caravan so that would be ideal.

[Roy Armstrong]

Ken,
I believe that what you stated used to be true, but changed, I think with introduction of the card with the yellow house on it.
I certainly have used mine on Panasonic, Pace and Grundig boxes.
I found that the main problem with the £20.00 cards is that you usually receive the regional program variations applicable to the card suppliers postcode.
Post the results of your testing as I am sure many would be interested.

NB. I am not certain as regards premium channels such as movies & sport as I have never subscribed to these.

[greenplum]

Hi again Roy (at last a mini debate !!)
Using a box only (no card) you get the FTV (free to view) channels

With any card and any box you get the FTA (free to air) channels - this will give you 1-2-3-4-5 all the news programs (?), SSports news and a load of watchable channels, (gold, bravo etc etc) as well as most of the c**p ones

With a subscription card and the box it's matched to, you get all the premium channels you are subscribed to as well as the above
So if I want to use the mini Pace 12v box I have to change the card to the box (via BSkyB) and use it at home too

I forgot of course you can check your subscription set-up by entering the "Sky Guide" then, "Services" then, 4-"System set-up" then, 5-"System details" that will give you info re card, box and software version