Boogaloo

Dunno. Why not give them a call.

You should have contacted http://www.islesat.com in Rerwick. Excellent & reliable service and they also fix Sky installations.

That's fine if you don't want FreeSat HD and are satisfied with an inferior Sky digi box and a cheap mesh Sky dish that ends up being a rust bucket in a few years when for £42 IsleSat guarantee their galvanised dishes & brackets for 10 years and their Triax SR110 multi-sat boxes are £59.95. Besides, Ch5 from a digi box requires a card. (see: http://www.ukfree.tv/helpme.php?faqid=8 Of course, unless one wants to mess about trying to align the dish to 28 East a meter is essential. You only get what you pay for in this world.

Work on the terrestrial digital switchover from analogue TV (via aerial) is taking place in various locations in Shetland. Of course, there is a better way to watch TV WITHOUT having to subscribe to SkyTV !! Free Digital satellite TV has been available in the whole of the UK since the mid-80's - but Sky don't tell folks that because they want you to subscribe to their expensive packages! The lads at IsleSat in Bigton have the answer and offer Satellite Free-to-Air and FreeSat satellite TV from just £225 installed one-off charge (including a rust-proof dish & bracket) - with no subscription or monthly payments. They also offer Free HD TV on FreeSat. There are scores of Free TV stations and radio stations all with uninterrupted reception. As for the so-called fanfare to the digital switchover (via aerial), the folks in rural Scotland aren't getting what they were promised (see: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Poor-reception-for-digital-TV.5387023.jp As for my money, why bother watching TV on an aerial when you can get it free on a satellite dish from IsleSat ? Wake up folks!!

I reckon your Sky dish is either the wrong size - or the rust has finally got to it! You ought to give IsleSat a call, they offer free tech help on the phone!! Go to: www.islesat.com

Contact Ronnie Gair as Gair Motors in Lerwick. They'll check the vehicle for any defects prior to your MOT - so no surprises! Great service too. Frankly, I'd give Jim's wide berth. They like to hike their charges by usually finding something wrong.

I've just phoned IsleSat to have a chat about dish sizes. The guy is quite adamant that 60cm is 'bare minimum' and even quoted the footprint of the satellite signal here in Shetland. Apparently, notwithstanding our weather/winds, any smaller dish than 60cm will pixilate the picture when it rains hard or worse still - when we get hail or snow. I reckon he must know his stuff as he's ex-navy and a G4 ham operator! He used to install sat dishes on rocking ships! Wow! Anyway, I'm perfectly happy with my 64cm Triax dish and have always had a steady picture and reception. For £39.95 from IsleSat.com you couldn't do better. Even if I'd bought it from the mainland the shipping costs would have far exceeded what IsleSat charge. I'm told they charge a mere 55 quid to install the whole lot (including the box) anywhere on Shetland and will do it within five working days - or sooner. Sure beats "SLY". I'm in the midst of ordering FreeSat from IsleSat for my Mum with dish, bracket, digital receiver for less than 200 quid. Now that's what I call value! Brilliant! Better still - no subscription. Thinking of HD from IsleSat for my noo LCD Sony set. Bottom line is - keep away from anything 60cm or below - that includes 'SLY'. Right bunch of cowboys. BTW, the guy from IsleSat is not only polite and attentive, but I reckon is an Einstein at what he does. Bring it ON!!

What did the replacement dish cost The dish was £39.95. Prices are on IsleSat's website: http://www.islesat.com/satellite_dishes.htm I also bought their tri-wall galvanised bracket. Excellent piece of kit.

I've done quite a bit of research about satellite dish sizes and hope you'll find this useful. The Sqish dish is just 48cm is really far too small for Shetland and up North. Minimum size should be 60cm which is correct for 'Zone 2'. Down South they use 43cm satellite dishes which are 'Zone 1'. Due to the position of 28 degress East (which is actually made up from five separate satellites) where Sky and FreeSat transmit from on the Clarke Belt, the more North one goes the lower down on the horizon produces weaker satellite signals. This is also due to the diminishing satellite 'footprint'. See example at: http://www.lyngsat-maps.com/maps/astra2a_north.html As for combating wind and weather in general you couldn't do better than contact IsleSat in Bigton http://www.islesat.com I recently bought a galvanised Triax 64cm dish, new LNB, a galvanised wall bracket and signal meter from Paul who runs IsleSat. He carries a good stock of dishes and spares and obviously knows his trade well. Paul was most helpful and although they install dishes, after a couple of phone calls to his free helpline for advice, I easily fitted it myself. I've now got a super signal and quality of 90% without any pixilation in high winds or when it rains. Better still, Triax dishes don't rust and IsleSat guarantees them for 10 years! Needless to say - I'm delighted not to have to endure replacing the Sky dish that happened almost every two or three years. I highly recommend IsleSat. They are definitely professional and even friends of mine who have had their satellite dishes installed by IsleSat have nothing but praise for them. I understand they can usually book calls in days (instead of weeks!) and also fix most problems related to Sky equipment. About time Sky got a kick in the butt - more power to Paul and IsleSat! Good on yer. Useful Link: http://www.islesat.com/faqs.htm

When Islesat install my new dish it will be hooked-up to a Technomate 5400 receiver. Being 'patched' I've discovered I'll be able to pick-up all of the above and more - free! See: http://www.digitalworldz.co.uk/showthread.php?t=178620&page=4 I've been told it's not really "legal" - but is it legal of Murdoch to charge Sky subscribers to watch stations he doesn't actually own such as Ch5, Eurosport & CNBC?!

Thanks for mentioning about terrestrial digital TV. I never did like the idea because according to Freeview it may be difficult to use my old VCR, as I could with a sat receiver hook-up. Anyway, I spoke with the chap at IsleSat this evening and he confesses the information he received about Freeview was in fact out of date and apologised for the error. Apparently, it wasn't clear whether the whole of Shetland was going to be able to receive digital terrestrial after 2010. I've noticed he's now updated his website this: In 2010 all analogue TV transmissions in the Northern Isles will cease. In order to watch television after 2010 you'll NEED either a terrestrial digi-box or a satellite dish and a digital satellite receiver. However, the choice of 'free' stations you'll be able to view with a terrestrial digi-box will be somewhat limited (and sometimes less when the micro-link goes down!), as compared with the vast number of uninterrupted channels available (even now) 'Free to Air' from a correct sized satellite dish. Although terrestrial 'freeview' is subscription free, current satellite 'Free to Air' channels can be easily received without any monthly subscription. More importantly, it's not necessary to be contracted to Sky or FreeSat or engage them to install a satellite dish or a receiver. This is why IsleSat offers a 'third' option that can ultimately provide many more choices for the avid viewer. Anyway, he seems to know all about satellites and I'm more than satisfied and will certainly be going ahead with with my multi-sat installation next month. I'll be glad NOT to have to deal with Sky any longer!

Seems at long last we in Shetland have an alternative to being held to ransom by Sky TV. I was altered to a new business that is just starting up called IsleSat - http://www.islesat.com I called the guy who is in Bigton and he was most helpful. I have booked an appointment in Sept to have a multi-sat dish installed. Not only am I going to be able to pick-up all the Freeview stations on the Sky sat, but apparently I'll be able to watch over 2,000 other stations completely free on 3 others satellites! And all for less than £200 installed which includes a new receiver that also acts to turn a motorised dish in the future. I'm looking forward to dispensing with my rusty Sky dish and won't need to use my Sky Card or pay any monthly subscription either - Yippee! This type of service is long overdue on the island. I'll let you know how I get on in Sept after the installation.

Letter to the Editor of The Shetland Times: Dear Vaila, Further to your article in The Shetland Times (11th April) on page 12 entitled, "Couple 'intimidated' by cold-calling car traders", I immediately investigated the so-called company Express Match Ltd., whereby I found the owners have a long and well documented history of ripping-off innocent private vehicle sellers throughout the UK - including disabled vehicle owners! You can read my full report here: www.rip-off.co.uk/expressmatch/expressmatch.pdf In fact, the scam and the offending previous business name of Vehiclewise was highlighted in The Mirror on the 28th of March 2008. These so-called businesses are scams and in this case were set up by 21 year old Mehmet Yuce and his sister Ozlem aged 24 who reside near London. When it gets too hot they simply fold one business and website and start another! I was dismayed, but not totally surprised by Mr Gray's comments from Trading Standards when he stated, 'he could not find any complaints about the company on any trading standards website'. That's hardly surprising because Trading Standards (unlike the Better Business Bureau in North America) don't name and shame businesses on any of their websites for fear of litigation and our wonderful Data Protection Act - that does a nice job of protecting the criminal!! That's left up to the likes of websites like mine at Rip-Off Britain. As an islander I felt it my duty to inform the aggrieved party and spoke personally with David Laurenson who was grateful for my attention to this matter. So, if anyone on Shetland receives a phone call from a company like Express Match or similar business claiming they can sell your car in seven days and require an up-front fee - simply hang up!! Kind regards, Paul Meyer, Editor & Consumer Advocate Rip-Off Britain www.rip-off.co.uk Bigton

Hi Polly, Newtomorrow.com is part of the Invocas Group. http://www.invocas.com and http://www.newtomorrow.com Both companies appear solid and I cannot find any consumer complaints against them. More details here: http://www.invocas.com/services_pers.aspx Read all about Trust Deeds: http://www.newtomorrow.com/faq_scotland.aspx Go forward - and let the past be just that - in the past, and a new tomorrow will dawn. All the best, Paul Consumer Advocate Writer & Broadcaster Editor of: http://www.rip-off.co.uk Consumer Tips: http://www.rip-off.co.uk/survival_kit.htm

There are loads of options to save you money - and even the cost of making a phone call. So why the beef when you CAN switch to another provider!? There are many to choose from. We've been using Tiscali in England for the past 4 years for both Broadband and FREE phone calls 24/7 to ALL UK telephone numbers (except 0845, 0870 & mobiles). And now we're living in Shetland we still use Tiscali - we find it both reliable and inexpensive. http://www.tiscali.co.uk/products/talk/ If we're careful not to make mobile calls or unnecessary 0845 or 0870 calls our Phone bill (which includes our broadband connection at 3.7Mbps) never exceeds £19.99 a month. You can avoid MOST 0845 & 0870 calls by going to: http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php So stop your moaning, say Bye, Bye to BT and make the Switch!

A good thought Njugle, but perhaps you should read this first: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071120005241AAQox0b

And don't the fuel suppliers know it!! They know most folks in Shetland NEED a car - hence the HIGH price of petrol per litre!! As for that, there are 9.5 million people living in rural England who also NEED a car - and they generally pay more for their petrol than city living folks! Anyway, you've missed the point. Comparing fuel prices between Shetland and the rest of the UK, in actual percentage terms there is little differential between a litre of Kerosene and a litre of Petrol - but it doesn't COST anymore to transport a litre of Kerosene or a litre of Petrol!! In fact, it costs roughly 2 pence per litre to transport ANY bulk liquid shipments by tanker from Aberdeen to Shetland! So in fact, petrol on Shetland should cost about £1.03 per litre - and NOT up to £1.16 per litre! So, I ask the question again - notwithstanding the £5 billion generated from Shetland oil revenues - much of which flows into the 'England' Treasury, who is making all the profit on re-imported Shetland petrol onto the backs of hard working Shetlanders??

Having moved recently to Shetland, I have a question I'd like someone to answer!! As of today, in central Southern England 1000 litres of Home heating oil Kerosene 28 costs 44.10 pence/litre. In Aberdeen the same Kerosene 28 costs 41.96 pence/litre. Now, I grant you the refinery in Aberdeen is probably somewhat closer than the one in the South of the UK - hence the differential in price. Ref: www.boilerjuice.com However, when I phoned a supplier in Shetland yesterday the very same Kerosene 28 costs 46.7 pence/litre. Now, I grant you there's no refinery in Shetland so the fuel is shipped in by tanker from Aberdeen - hence the SLIGHT the differential in price. This is where the differential in fuel prices in Shetland gets rather interesting - if not darn worrying! The average price of unleaded petrol in Aberdeen is 101.3 pence/litre Ref: www.petrolprices.com ....whilst the price of unleaded petrol in SHETLAND is 115.9 pence/litre Both Kerosene 28 and Petrol is shipped in from Scotland - so WHY is there such an enormous differential or price gap between these two types of fuels? Of course, I haven't even mentioned diesel, which compared with most other countries in Europe, is clearly a big rip-off right across the UK - and is only exacerbating food and other consumable prices and adding to inflation. So, when it comes to petrol prices on the island, are we in Shetland getting ripped-off? If so, by WHOM!! Although we have a small population, do you think we should we campaign for an oil refinery in Shetland? I welcome your comments! Editor Rip-Off Britain www.rip-off.co.uk BP sells off its last UK refinery www.guardian.co.uk/business/2006/jun/27/oilandpetrol.news

Having just moved permanently to Shetland, I thought local folks might find my website of interest. I have been operating 'Rip-Off Britain' since 1998 and constantly welcome comments both by email and on my forum. It is apparent that Shetland and my fellow residents are not purely exempt from Rip-Off's and high prices - so I invite your views and comments!! Regards, Paul Editor, Broadcaster & Writer Website: http://www.rip-off.co.uk Email: editor@rip-off.co.uk