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HOTBIRD ("Eutelsat Hotbird")
Like Astra, Hotbird is not a single satellite, but a system comprising
several satellites. It transmits more than 200 digital free-to-air
programs in several languages. Hotbird fully covers all of Europe, but at
sometimes significantly lower signal levels than Astra. Hotbird is the
easiest way to receive German stations in Greece and Turkey.
THOR and SIRIUS
The channels and the footprint of Thor and Sirius cover Northern
Europe. Many, sometimes all, channels of Thor and Sirius may be
received even in Southern Germany if an adequately sized antenna is
used. However, almost all channels are encrypted.
ATLANTIC BIRD 3
Atlantic Bird 3 mainly covers France and Benelux, but can also be
received all over Europe if a suitable parabolic antenna is used. It
transmits several digital free-to-air French channels.
HISPASAT
Hispasat covers mainly the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands,
but can also be received in Italy, France, Benelux etc. in good quality.
The range of programs is focused on the Spanish region.
EUTELSAT W3A
This satellite is undergoing some application changes, so no reliable
data is available. Basically it covers the whole of Europe and the
Middle East region. However, it’s signals are significantly weaker than
those of the other satellites, and the use of an 85-cm antenna is hence
recommended. This satellite is therefore unsuitable for the Caro and
Cosmo units.
