I currently live in forces accomadation (barrack block) and live directly above a workmate who has Sky installed.

I'm looking at getting freesat installed, so was wondering...

Can i branch off his dish and connect to a freesat box, or do i need my own dish?

Would i need to pay for 'multiroom' or is it simply a cable to the freesat box to receive the channels?

Any advice would be great as i would like to get it bought and installed before Top Gear starts showing in HD this season.

Technically, you could branch off his dish (assuming he has a 4 way LNB attached to it because you need a tin cable for each Sky+ installation); but you might find your accommodation (or your neighbour) may object to it - best check with them first...

if it is just a non-recording Freesat box, then you just need one connection from the LNB on the dish

Cheers Guys.

He is a work mate and won't mind me branching off as long as i pay for any bits (naturally).

He has Sky+ so i assume this means he is using 2 LNB's? (what is an LNB?)

Is it likely he might have a spare one?

I won't be buying a freesat with recorder, but it will be a HD one. Will that make a difference?

If i need to buy a LNB are they expensive? And what about DIY fitting?

Thanks for the help so far.

LNB:

As Simbo said its the bit on the end of the arm where the cables connect to.

F-sat connector:

My telly has FreesatHD built in and only requires a single feed, mine is connected to a Sky dish which has a quad LNB thanks to the presence of Sky+ which needs 2 feeds. The dish you want to hook up to should have a quad LNB as well.

All you need is some half decent co-ax cable and a couple of screw on type F sat connectors. Some self amalgamating tape to wrap around the external connector(s) would be preferable to resist corrosion and water ingress.

Screw the connectors onto the co-ax in the correct fashion, connect one end onto any spare connector on the dish LNB and wrap with tape if you have some, screw the other end into the back of the freesat box and away you go. Don't overtighten the connectors, give them a little 'nip' only.

Like I say, don't go for cheap and nasty co-ax. The air dielectric stuff kinks very easily and ruins your signal quality, I used foam dielectric cable and it works a treat.

Maplins will have all the bits you need unless you want to source them from ebay or similar.

This won't concern Sky...

No, he'll be using two connections on the LNB...

Poss... if he already has a quad LNB (one with 4 sockets on)...

Nope... you'll just need one feed from the LNB

Nope - something like this kit (clicky) would do the job!

Very helpfull, thanks very much.

I'll try to get a look at his dish tomorrow and see what LNB he has fitted.

LNB:

As Simbo said its the bit on the end of the arm where the cables connect to.

F-sat connector:

My telly has FreesatHD built in and only requires a single feed, mine is connected to a Sky dish which has a quad LNB thanks to the presence of Sky+ which needs 2 feeds. The dish you want to hook up to should have a quad LNB as well.

All you need is some half decent co-ax cable and a couple of screw on type F sat connectors. Some self amalgamating tape to wrap around the external connector(s) would be preferable to resist corrosion and water ingress.

Screw the connectors onto the co-ax in the correct fashion, connect one end onto any spare connector on the dish LNB and wrap with tape if you have some, screw the other end into the back of the freesat box and away you go. Don't overtighten the connectors, give them a little 'nip' only.

Like I say, don't go for cheap and nasty co-ax. The air dielectric stuff kinks very easily and ruins your signal quality, I used foam dielectric cable and it works a treat.

Maplins will have all the bits you need unless you want to source them from ebay or similar.

Also a really helpful post, thanks.

I'll check the LNB and if it is already a four way, i'll take your advice on the cable and get some ordered when i buy the box.

Good news (for me anyway)!

I've just been and had a look at his dish, and it has got four connectors on the LNB.

So now i need to get a cable, and find a way of getting it through the wall and into my room.

Getting the cable should be simple. Getting through the wall might be better left for an expert...

She's on her way!

...who says drilling can't be thrilling?

Must...........resist........making.........smutty............comments...........................:faint2:

And you'd need a MUCH longer bit than that for deep drilling jobs such as walls........

Thanks to everyone who helped out on this thread.

Went to a local TV/Aerial shop this morning and picked up 7metres of RG6 cable with connections (fitted in store) for £7.

Bought a Bush freesat HD box for under £70.

20 mins later, all plugged into the sat dish below me, and the box is working fine

Just waiting for a decent HD program to watch now. Can't seem to find ITV HD though :(

ITV HD is available via the red button when the programme is being transmitted in HD, wheres BBC HD have their own dedicated channel, although that is not as good as it once was

I've been looking for it on the channel list all day....

Just turned on ITV and noticed the red button icon appear. Now i'm watching Star wars in HD.

Not really a fan of star wars, but i want to watch something in HD, so that will have to do.

Thanks for the tip