The Hot Bird 13° East satellite is one of the most popular satellite positions available to viewers in the United Kingdom. It carries a wide range of international television and radio channels. With the right dish size and accurate alignment, it is possible to receive a strong and stable Hot Bird signal across many parts of the UK.
In this guide, we explain how to align a satellite dish to Hot Bird 13°E in Britain, including the key steps for setting the dish direction, elevation angle and LNB skew.
Equipment Needed Before Aligning the Dish
Before starting the alignment process, make sure you have the necessary equipment:
- A satellite dish of a suitable size.
- A good-quality LNB.
- A satellite receiver.
- High-quality coaxial cable.
- A satellite finder, if available.
- A compass or satellite alignment app.
- The required tools for mounting and tightening the dish.
It is also important to make sure that the dish mounting pole is perfectly vertical. Even a small tilt in the pole can affect the accuracy of the elevation and alignment settings.
Choose the Right Location for the Satellite Dish
To receive a strong Hot Bird signal, the dish must have a clear line of sight toward the satellite.
Avoid installing the dish where the signal path is blocked by:
- Tall buildings.
- Trees.
- Chimneys.
- Walls.
- Towers or metal structures.
You should also remember that small trees may become larger obstacles over time as their branches grow.
Which Direction Should a Hot Bird Dish Face in the UK?
Hot Bird is located at the orbital position of 13° East, so a satellite dish in the UK generally needs to face toward the south-east.
However, you should not rely only on the general south-east direction, as the exact dish alignment changes depending on your location in the United Kingdom.
For example, the azimuth and elevation settings will vary slightly between cities such as:
- London.
- Manchester.
- Birmingham.
- Liverpool.
- Glasgow.
- Edinburgh.
- Cardiff.
For this reason, it is recommended to use a satellite alignment calculator or a dedicated satellite finder app to obtain the exact settings for your installation location.
How to Set the Hot Bird Dish Elevation Angle
After determining the approximate direction, the next step is setting the elevation angle.
The elevation angle determines how far the satellite dish should be tilted upward or downward toward the satellite.
Because the elevation angle varies from one part of the UK to another, you should avoid copying the exact settings from a dish installed in a different city.
Start by setting the elevation approximately, then slowly move the dish while monitoring the signal on your satellite receiver or satellite finder.
Adjusting the Dish from Left to Right
Once the approximate elevation has been set, slowly move the dish horizontally from left to right.
This step requires patience because moving the dish too quickly may cause you to pass the satellite position without noticing a signal.
When a signal appears:
- Stop moving the dish.
- Check the signal strength and quality.
- Make very small adjustments.
- Find the position that provides the highest signal quality.
- Gradually tighten the mounting bolts.
It is recommended to focus more on signal quality than signal strength, because a strong signal does not always mean that the dish is pointing at the correct satellite.
How to Adjust the LNB Skew
The LNB skew, or LNB rotation angle, is important for achieving the best possible signal quality.
After finding the Hot Bird signal, slowly rotate the LNB inside its holder while monitoring the signal quality on the receiver.
Even a very small adjustment can sometimes improve the signal significantly.
Once you find the best position, tighten the LNB holder securely to prevent it from moving in strong winds.
Use an Active Hot Bird Transponder to Find the Satellite
Before moving the dish, it is useful to add an active Hot Bird transponder to your receiver and open the signal information screen.
For a manual search, you can generally select:
- Satellite: Hot Bird 13°E
- LNB Type: Universal
- Monitor the signal quality while adjusting the dish.
Using a known Hot Bird transponder can help confirm that you have found the correct satellite and prevent confusion with nearby satellite positions.
How to Confirm That You Have Found the Correct Hot Bird Satellite
When a strong signal appears, do not immediately assume that you have found Hot Bird.
Perform a channel scan and check the services that have been detected.
If the receiver finds the expected channels and services broadcast from Hot Bird, the alignment was successful.
If completely different channels appear, the dish may be pointing at a nearby satellite instead.
For this reason, it is always better to use a reliable and active transponder when searching for the satellite.
What Dish Size Is Best for Hot Bird Reception in the UK?
The ideal satellite dish size depends on your city, region and local reception conditions.
In many parts of England, Hot Bird can be received with a medium-sized satellite dish when the dish has a clear line of sight and is accurately aligned.
In areas with weaker reception or more difficult weather conditions, a larger dish may provide a better signal margin and improved stability.
However, a larger dish alone does not guarantee better reception. Accurate alignment, a good-quality LNB and a properly installed cable are also important.
Can You Use an Old Sky Dish to Receive Hot Bird?
Many viewers in the UK ask whether an old Sky satellite dish can be used to receive Hot Bird.
The answer depends on the type and size of the dish, the installation location and the LNB being used.
In some cases, the dish may be suitable, but you may need to:
- Replace the LNB.
- Change the LNB holder.
- Completely realign the dish.
- Use a suitable free-to-air satellite receiver.
- Upgrade the cable or connectors.
An old Sky dish is normally aligned toward a different satellite position, so it must be accurately repositioned to receive Hot Bird at 13° East.
How to Fix No Signal Problems on Hot Bird
If you cannot find a Hot Bird signal, check the following points:
- Make sure the satellite cable is correctly connected to the receiver.
- Inspect the LNB for damage, corrosion or water ingress.
- Check the cable for cuts or damage.
- Confirm that the correct LNB settings are selected in the receiver.
- Check the transponder being used for the signal search.
- Make sure there are no buildings or trees blocking the dish.
- Move the dish very slowly during alignment.
- Recheck the elevation angle.
- Adjust the LNB skew.
- Make sure the mounting pole is perfectly vertical.
In some cases, the main problem is simply that the wrong satellite has been found. For this reason, do not rely only on signal strength. Always check the signal quality and confirm the satellite by scanning for the correct channels.
Tips for Getting a Strong and Stable Hot Bird Signal
For the best possible reception, follow these tips:
- Use a dish size suitable for your location.
- Make sure the dish mount is firmly secured.
- Use a good-quality LNB.
- Install high-quality satellite cable.
- Avoid unnecessary cable joins.
- Adjust the dish slowly and carefully.
- Focus on signal quality.
- Set the LNB skew accurately.
- Keep the signal path clear of obstacles.
- Recheck the signal after tightening all mounting bolts.
Can You Receive Hot Bird and Astra with One Satellite Dish?
Yes, in some cases it is possible to receive more than one satellite position using a single dish. This can be done by installing multiple LNBs or using a suitable Monoblock LNB.
Receiving both Hot Bird 13° East and Astra 19.2° East is a popular multi-satellite setup in Europe because the orbital distance between the two positions is relatively small.
However, successful reception depends on:
- Dish size.
- Accurate dish alignment.
- The type of LNB holder.
- The type of LNB being used.
- DiSEqC settings on the receiver.
It is recommended to align the main satellite accurately first, then add the second satellite after confirming that the primary signal is stable.
