General known satellites in South Africa

36.0°E	Eutelsat Sesat	081230
36.0°E	Eutelsat W4	081229
68.5°E	Intelsat 7	081229
68.5°E	Intelsat 10	081231

[gmap]

For a full list go to: http://www.lyngsat.com/tracker/europe.html
So both these satellites Sesat and W4 share the 36° East orbital position. The W series provide increased power and broader coverage with respect to the previous generation EUTELSAT II satellites.

Eutelsat W4

Eutelsat SESAT

Intelsat 7

Intelsat coverage map

So from the above coverage maps it is clear that the SESAT satellite is suppose to give a better reception in some parts of South Africa. The channels that is present on a satellite can be tracked by various websites, Lyngsat have up to date satellite frequency charts

http://www.lyngsat.com/sesat.html

http://www.lyngsat.com/intel7.html

http://www.lyngsat.com/intel10.html

http://www.lyngsat.com/intel68.html

http://en.kingofsat.net/tv-68.5E.php

Multichoice South Africa on Intelsat 7 at 68.5°E

These charts can be by viewed via Frequencies, Packages or Satellites, and as such MC South Africa is a “Package” that is available on the above mentioned satellites and is presented as follows on their website at http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/mcsafrica.html

Freq. Tp	Channel Name	Enc. system	SID	VPID	APID	Beam
10970 V tp A7
SR 30000 FEC 5/6	KykNet	Irdeto 2	251	5005	6007 Af	South Africa

Colour codes used on the package charts:
clear
encrypted
HD/clear
HD/encrypted
interactive

and this data can be used to configure / setup your decoder to receive the channels, obviously to receive packages like MC South Africa (MultiChoice South Africa) you need a decoder capable of decoding the “Enc. system” encryption e.g. Irdeto 2. So MultiChoice have a range of decoders available for purchase that use smartcard technology to decode the encrypted channels. This bring me to the following section of this article namely Free to Air channels (This is channels available on the satellites you don’t have to pay to see or is without encryption)

Free to Air Channels

Free To Air satellite is a term used to describe satellite signals which you can legally receive without a subscription.

Free To Air satellite programming is not encrypted.

A satellite free to air installation can be accomplished by most people that have the patience to follow instructions and a moderate electronic knowledge. If this is not for you, it will be far easier for you to contact a local satellite installer in your area to assist you. This tutorial assumes you wish to receive a single fixed satellite and not using a dish mover or rotor.
For most broadcasts in South Africa, a dish size of 90cm is sufficient. Larger dish sizes may be required for more northern or out of footprint locations.
In order to receive all channels, reception of both PAS7 & PAS10 at 68,5 degrees East on a 90cm satellite dish is required. If you cannot access all the channels listed, your dish is either not aligned properly and/or you're using a too small dish.

Channels available

Television

The following are some of the channels you'll pick up once entering the settings below:
Mindset Learning, Mindset Health, Botswana TV, Vivid Mosiac, God TV Africa, Hope Channel Africa, ITV, Astro and various commercial channels.

Radio

Radio2000, SAFM, Ikwekwezi FM, 5FM, RSG, Lesedi FM, Lotus FM, Metro FM, Good Hope FM, YFM, Classic FM, DW Radio, Radio Pulpit/Kansel, Impact Radio, Radio Pretoria, Trans World Radio, Channel Africa.

Settings for the FTA Setup

Before setting up your decoder, please ensure that your decoder software is upgraded to the latest version.
To perform a software upgrade:

Press the MENU button.

Select "ADVANCED OPTIONS" and press OK.

Select "DSD UPGRADE" and press OK.

The decoder should start to upgrade the software now. If you are not sure about the version of your decoder software, you can contact Multichoice or your local DSTV technician/supplier and they will be able to help you.

Also ensure the LNB High frequency is set to 10700

Step 2:

Press menu

Select "Advanced Options"

Select "Dish Installation"

Enter the pin "9949"

Select "Network Configuration"

Select "Network 2 Setup" NB: Leave "Network 1 Setup (Home)" unchanged!!

Set Signal Setup to "Enabled" by selecting it, and moving left or right

Set Frequency to "11170"

Set Symbol Rate to "26652

Set Polarization to "Vertical"

Set FEC to "5/6"

Select "Accept these settings"

Step 3:

Select "Network 3 Setup"

Set Signal Setup to "Enabled"

Set Frequency to "11625"

Set Symbol Rate to "15000

Set Polarization to "Vertical"

Set FEC to "3/4"

Select "Accept these settings"

Step 4:

Select "Network 4 Setup"

Set Signal Setup to "Enabled"

Set Frequency to "11674"

Set Symbol Rate to "26652

Set Polarization to "Vertical"

Set FEC to "5/6"

Select "Accept these settings"

Step 5:

Select "Network 5 Setup"

Set Signal Setup to "Enabled"

Set Frequency to "12522"

Set Symbol Rate to "26657

Set Polarization to "Horizontal"

Set FEC to "1/2"

Select "Accept these settings"

Step 6:

Select "Network 6 Setup"

Set Signal Setup to "Enabled"

Set Frequency to "12562"

Set Symbol Rate to "26657

Set Polarization to "Horizontal"

Set FEC to "1/2"

Select "Accept these settings"

Step 7:

Select "Network 7 Setup"

Set Signal Setup to "Enabled"

Set Frequency to "12682"

Set Symbol Rate to "26657

Set Polarization to "Horizontal"

Set FEC to "1/2"

Select "Accept these settings"

Step 8:

Select "Network 8 Setup"

Set Signal Setup to "Enabled"

Set Frequency to "12722"

Set Symbol Rate to "26657

Set Polarization to "Vertical"

Set FEC to "1/2"

Select "Accept these settings"

Step 9:

Exit once to go back to the "Dish Installation" menu

Select "Scan All Networks"

Your decoder will go into scanning mode and might take a while to scan all 9 networks. Do not interrupt the process even if it seams to take longer than you expected!

Once completed, your picture will return as normal

To access you public channels, press the "TV button" on your remote control.
The "Bouquet Options" menu will appear.
Select "Public PAS7/10"
Pressing any of the arrow buttons on your remote, will open the screen with all the available Free to Air channels.
Simply select the channel you wish to view and press ok to tune.
To access the radio channels, simply select the "music note" on your remote (while still on Public PAS7/10 bouquet) and select which channel you would like to listen.

Tested Free-to-Air settings

Freq	use NIT	Pol	SR	FEC	Description
11170	Yes	Vertical	26652	5/6	Sentech Vivid bouquet
11625	Yes	Vertical	15000	3/4	BTV
11674	Yes	Vertical	26652	5/6	vivid
12522	Yes	Horizontal	26657	1/2
12562	Yes	Horizontal	26657	1/2	View Africa Network
12577	Yes	Vertical	3378	3/4	ManaSat
12682	Yes	Horizontal	26657	1/2	Novacom
12722	Yes	Vertical	26657	1/2
12722	Yes	Horizontal	26657	2/3	FTV

Radio stations that was added:

Logo	Channel Name	Satellite	Beam	Video/Audio
	1 Africa	Intelsat 10	Africa & Europe	DVB
	5 FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB

	Ackermans Stores	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	CDC Radio Channel	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Channel Africa	Intelsat 10	Africa & Europe	DVB
	Channel Islam International	AfriStar 1	East	DVB
	Classic FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Clicks Stores	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	CNA Live	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	CVC Africa	Intelsat 10	Africa & Europe	DVB
	Divine Radio	Intelsat 10	Africa & Europe	DVB
	Fusion FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Good Hope FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Ikwekwezi FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Impact Radio	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Jet FM Pula	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Jet FM Rand	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Legit FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Lesedi FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Ligwalagwala FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Lotus FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Metro FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB

	Motsweding FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Munghana Lonene FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Nandos Heatwave Radio	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Pep Stores	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Pep Stores 2	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Phalaphala FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Pick'n Pay	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Radio 2000	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB

	Radio Cidade	Intelsat 902	SW zone	PAL
	Radio Diskom	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Radio Pretoria	Intelsat 10	Africa & Europe	DVB
	Radio Pulpit	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Red Cap Radio Mr Price Home	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Red Cap Radio Mr Price Weekend	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	RSG	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB

	SAFM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB

	Satellite Islam	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Thobela FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Ukhozi FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB
	Umhlobo Wenene FM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB

	YFM	Intelsat 7	South Africa	DVB