Sky reception quality

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Rikkitic

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#198974 29-Jul-2016 22:55

Is anyone having issues with Sky reception this evening? I watched the Democratic convention all afternoon with no issues but then started getting frequent brief dropouts with pixelation and audio breaks. It seems to be across all channels. The diagnostic page shows signal strength steady at 77 and quality between 60-70. I don't think there is an issue with weather so do I need to check my LNB?

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tangerz

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#1601150 30-Jul-2016 02:19

LNB would be the obvious suspect. Interference can be also caused by microwaves if there is faulty/poor quality wiring allowing it a way into the cable.

wingbat45

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#1601305 30-Jul-2016 12:09

tangerz: LNB would be the obvious suspect. Interference can be also caused by microwaves if there is faulty/poor quality wiring allowing it a way into the cable.

that would be unwatchable even at low levels.

poss dect?

Rikkitic

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#1601321 30-Jul-2016 12:48

No microwave, no likely interference. Can HDMI produce same symptoms? I have a complex set-up with lots of cables through six port ir switch.

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Rikkitic

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#1601352 30-Jul-2016 14:01

Never mind. I ran a bypass and am still getting the problem. HDMI is not the culprit.

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Rikkitic

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#1601597 31-Jul-2016 12:09

It looks like my problem may be the LNB but that creates other problems. I have added all kinds of stuff to the mounting bracket and replacing the LNB is no easy task so I am trying every other possibility first. I really don't want to have to disassemble everything, especially in this weather. Also, the LNB is a dual one for reception of both Sky and Freeview on D1. The frequency is 11300.

I notice that the coax in the F-connector is a little tarnished. Is there any good way to clean this? I can't get at it inside the connector and I don't have the tools to replace the connector.

When I check the signal quality screen it is higher on some channels, which work fine. On some others, which are the important ones for us, it is marginal, usually barely above the cut-off point of 40. Sometimes it briefly drops away completely, and then we lose the signal.

I tried changing the LNB frequency slightly in the manual setting to see if I could compensate for any drift but everything I tried just lost the signal completely. Is there anything else I might be able to do as a temporary fix until I can get a new LNB and get around to changing it?

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tangerz

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#1601743 31-Jul-2016 15:42

Rikkitic:

It looks like my problem may be the LNB but that creates other problems. I have added all kinds of stuff to the mounting bracket and replacing the LNB is no easy task so I am trying every other possibility first. I really don't want to have to disassemble everything, especially in this weather. Also, the LNB is a dual one for reception of both Sky and Freeview on D1. The frequency is 11300.

I notice that the coax in the F-connector is a little tarnished. Is there any good way to clean this? I can't get at it inside the connector and I don't have the tools to replace the connector.

When I check the signal quality screen it is higher on some channels, which work fine. On some others, which are the important ones for us, it is marginal, usually barely above the cut-off point of 40. Sometimes it briefly drops away completely, and then we lose the signal.

I tried changing the LNB frequency slightly in the manual setting to see if I could compensate for any drift but everything I tried just lost the signal completely. Is there anything else I might be able to do as a temporary fix until I can get a new LNB and get around to changing it?

^^^ This may be an indication of water ingress into the cable which could cause the kind of problems you describe. Replacing the connector/cable is really the only way to fix it.

If you have some extra length on the cable you *might* be able to cut off the connector and water damaged part of the cable, adding a new connector to the end, (but then you need the tools!)

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wingbat45

233 posts

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#1601837 31-Jul-2016 19:48

tangerz:

Rikkitic:

It looks like my problem may be the LNB but that creates other problems. I have added all kinds of stuff to the mounting bracket and replacing the LNB is no easy task so I am trying every other possibility first. I really don't want to have to disassemble everything, especially in this weather. Also, the LNB is a dual one for reception of both Sky and Freeview on D1. The frequency is 11300.

I notice that the coax in the F-connector is a little tarnished. Is there any good way to clean this? I can't get at it inside the connector and I don't have the tools to replace the connector.

When I check the signal quality screen it is higher on some channels, which work fine. On some others, which are the important ones for us, it is marginal, usually barely above the cut-off point of 40. Sometimes it briefly drops away completely, and then we lose the signal.

I tried changing the LNB frequency slightly in the manual setting to see if I could compensate for any drift but everything I tried just lost the signal completely. Is there anything else I might be able to do as a temporary fix until I can get a new LNB and get around to changing it?

^^^ This may be an indication of water ingress into the cable which could cause the kind of problems you describe. Replacing the connector/cable is really the only way to fix it.

If you have some extra length on the cable you *might* be able to cut off the connector and water damaged part of the cable, adding a new connector to the end, (but then you need the tools!)

Do not use the screw on connectors. If the connector is outside they are about as weathertight as a sponge.

Use compression connectors as they are more weather tight (rubber seal internally), or call sky, tech could have it done quickly.

My lnb died last night 645 pm exactly, I just got up and replaced the bastard before the rugby (wonderfull timing) so its not a long task

Rikkitic

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#1601881 31-Jul-2016 20:20

Weirdly enough, ours is working again tonight. I cleaned the cables as best I could and sprayed some alcohol contact cleaner into the connector. The signal quality indicator is not really any better, right on the edge at 40, but the drop-outs have stopped and we have had perfect reception all evening. It is a huge difference from last night, when it was unwatchable.

I have ordered a new LNB and will be glad to have it if needed but I won't change it unless things go downhill again. It is not so straightforward because of the other stuff mounted on the bracket. Same with the cables. I use twist-on connectors indoors but don't have crimping tools for outdoor use. I'll see how it goes. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and info.

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