|
|
About this site
What is the idea?
The website is called "satbeams" so it is really about the satellite beams and their footprints! Most of the Satellite operators publish the official coverage maps for their Satellites and recommended dish size for specific coverage zones (a lot of great resources with the coverage maps can be found in the links section of this website). While all those maps provide great "theoretical" guidelines many Sat-TV enthusiasts discover that reception is possible even outside of the official coverage zones or with smaller dishes than recommended. As our world becomes more globalized and people migrate around the globe, quite often setting up a satellite antenna becomes the only option for them to watch their favorite programs so far away from home! And everyone wants to know the same thing: what channels are available here?
This website was created to help people answer these questions. It is Web 2.0 mashup that combines Google Maps with Satellite footprint maps. Everyone can find his home on the map and match its location with the coverage zones. It is possible to zoom into every map and see exactly which zone one belongs to and which dish size is recommended for selected satellite and beam basing on the satellite footprint. While every site guest can enjoy just the maps in read-only mode, registered users can do even more:
- Save markers on the map and report which satellites and beams one can receive there
- See the markers saved by other members (perhaps there is someone already receiving selected Satellite/Beam in the neighborhood)
- Add Satellite equipment to the reception report including the antenna model, receiver and Lnbs
- Report different news - frequencies, channels and even new equipment (i.e. receivers, dishes, Lnbs...)
As a result, the more people place markers with their reports the more accurate information is available to Sat-TV users all over the globe!
Who is behind the site?
This website is my private initiative. I am just the one of the many Sat-TV enthusiasts doing this as a hobby. I have been thinking about such a website since summer 2007 when I have registered www.satcoverage.com domain (although later on I have desided to switch to www.satbeams.com) . It took me a while to start putting the website together and very soon I have realised that it is just too much to do it alone! So I have involved several people from different parts of the world to help me with it and here is the result of our work (see the acknowledgements below). Without the help of these people this website will never come true!
I intend to keep it free as long as I can afford it. Needless to say that if you really find this website useful and want to make it even better your contribution will be really appreciated!
If you have any questions concerning the website try FAQ section first, and do not hesitate to post your questions there. Otherwise do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Acknowledgements Web-design/programming: LLC IPC BonAnza
Maps digitizing: MariaRijou
Special thanks to Skystar, Satmmuk and all others for their great support and help testing the site and making it better!
|
|