Do I Have A Failing LNB

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hsvhel

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#77657 19-Feb-2011 15:40

Hi Guys

I'm looking for a bit of advise from people in the know on here. Im new to Satelite setups and am hoping im on the right track with a Quality issue im having with Sky.

I recently had a dish installed and when the setup was complete the tech mentioned he thought the LNB might be on the way out. Although Sky is working well i have noticed that the Quality seems to drop dramaticatlly on specific channels.

I have a steady Signal Level of around 72-73 consistantly. However, this afternoon i noticed my first complete loss of signal. I lost discovery and the surrounding channels completely. Signal went to UNLOCKED, and the quality and BER were at 0

As i type this below are the numbers i see now.

For example:
-TV3 currently reads signal 73-quality 50ish, BER flucuating 9.4E-05 to 1.1E-04
-Discovery currently reads Signal 74, Quality 30 BER 5.3-04 to 4.7-E04
-Sky SPort Signal 72, Quality 20, BER 2.5E-03

I have been reading that the dual throat LNBs maybe prone to heat, which is fair enough, in Auckland its currently hot and humid. I have also read that the numbers and low quality i see could be a failing LNB.

I can call sky but due to this install being a second room, not the primary install point and whilst worse case i pay for a tech, i would like to get some insight from the community.

If i do need to replace the LNB, where can the correct unit be sourced from.

Regards
Rhys

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#441489 19-Feb-2011 16:27

For a few years mine was 100%. Recently it dropped to between 60 and 70, if i'm lucky 80. Sometimes when I change channels it is all pixelated for a few seconds before it comes right. Sky support does not want to know anything unless I get complete loss of signal, and then they want me to switch it off for a couple of minutes and clean the contacts on the access card.

If you do want it replaced, borrow an electric fence energizer and hook it up to the coax cable...

You can never have enough Volvos!

hsvhel

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#441491 19-Feb-2011 16:31

Haha, the energizer would do the trick!

The picture is fine, no pixelation or sound issues. I have been watching the BER rates on and off on some of the channels and suspect in the winter as the signal is already low, i maybe more susceptable to loss of transmission than if the quality was better.

It was more concerning today when i lost Discovery, CI etc and the Juice music channels. The others were OK. Hence my concern with the LNB.

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mm1352000

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#441492 19-Feb-2011 16:32

Hi Rhys

If i do need to replace the LNB, where can the correct unit be sourced from.

No comment about the strength and quality readings (I don't have Sky and I'm not an installer). However I do know that those LNBs are Sky exclusive - you won't be able to buy a *new* one from anywhere. I may be mistaken but I think Sky might have switched to a different LNB for their new installs too. Having said that, if you want to replace the dual-throat LNB then look on Trade Me. I hear they can be tricky to set up correctly...

manaia

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#441590 20-Feb-2011 08:25

If i do need to replace the LNB, where can the correct unit be sourced from.

Call up SKY and tell them it is breaking and quote the tech. Maintaining the dish & LNB is part of the service.

Spyware

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#441597 20-Feb-2011 09:01

Could also simply be an alignment problem, different channels are on different transponders hence the behaviour. Odd that a Sky technician would comment that a newly installed brand new LNB could be on the way out.

Also odd the you would want to replace a Sky LNB yourself when they maintain any install for FREE.

Comment: If you can't see pixelation/macroblocking in their transmissions then you are legally blind. Even Prime is truely hideous, including both Freeview feeds, to watch and that comes from Auckland.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

hsvhel

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#441599 20-Feb-2011 09:19

Its not a new dish, its about 6 years old. I just had it moved and the installer that did it was not from Sky. The comment was made as he did not have a suitable replacement but mentioned i keep an eye on how it preforms and maybe look at a replacement to improve what is alrady there.

In respect to pixelation and such, i really dont get that barred up over TV. Im happy with what i have now, i am, however, concerned about why it may have dropped out in the middle of a sunny day and only within the upper range of the channels.

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hsvhel

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#441672 20-Feb-2011 15:51

Further to my investigation, i lost the same channels again today. I went ouside and it had been suggested in other topics to "cool" the LNB with the hose. It has worked and has bought back the lost channels.

To me this further narrows the LNB as the issue here?

Is there any further information i can supply to further assist the issue?

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illicit

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#441675 20-Feb-2011 16:01

Step 1 - Are you a Sky customer? if yes = go to step 2, if no = go to step 3

Step 2 - Ring Sky, tell them it says 'rain fade' on the screen - they will come fix it for free.

Step 3 - Done

hsvhel

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#441681 20-Feb-2011 16:24

There is no account at this address, there is a sky dish on the roof I am using, due to there being no account, I am not eligable for their free repair service.
I find it strange that their LNB's are so restricted?

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mattwnz

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#441685 20-Feb-2011 16:59

Niel: For a few years mine was 100%. Recently it dropped to between 60 and 70, if i'm lucky 80. Sometimes when I change channels it is all pixelated for a few seconds before it comes right. Sky support does not want to know anything unless I get complete loss of signal, and then they want me to switch it off for a couple of minutes and clean the contacts on the access card.

If you do want it replaced, borrow an electric fence energizer and hook it up to the coax cable...

I am sure that if you told them that you will be cancelling due to problems, they will get someone out to fix it pretty quickly.

mattwnz

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#441686 20-Feb-2011 17:05

hsvhel: There is no account at this address, there is a sky dish on the roof I am using, due to there being no account, I am not eligable for their free repair service.

I find it strange that their LNB's are so restricted?

In that case just buy another LNB and switch it. They are very cheap to buy.

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hsvhel

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#441801 21-Feb-2011 07:52

mattwnz:
hsvhel: There is no account at this address, there is a sky dish on the roof I am using, due to there being no account, I am not eligable for their free repair service.

I find it strange that their LNB's are so restricted?

In that case just buy another LNB and switch it. They are very cheap to buy.

Hi Matt
Where would you suggest i try. I have had a look on trade me but would prefer a new item.

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cyril7

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#441803 21-Feb-2011 08:01

All sounds very dodgy, if you did a normal move then its not a problem as Sky would be responsible and you not worried about T&C issues.

Anyway, if for whatever reason its not legit, why not just get a replacement 40mm LNB holder to fit the Winegard and standard 40mm LNB, both can be purchased from sadl.co.nz.

Cyril

hsvhel

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#441858 21-Feb-2011 11:18

Thanks Cyril

Its not as dodgey as it sounds. I had a dish at my old house, but was not using it(2-3 years of non use). When i moved i had it installed in the new place with the intention of using a decoder from a family members 2nd room option.
When it was installed mention was made that the LNB maybe on the way out as the signal was a bit low.

Im paying for the decdoder, just at the 2nd room rate. The primary account stayed at the origional address, the 2nd room was no longer required and i thought i would make use of it.
All very above board, i promise!

Only downside is that if something happens with the satelite, i dont get the free call out service.

Hope this clears anything up

I would just as easily go and buy a replacement but the Sharp Dual LNB currently on the dish looks to be hard to come by. I would like an exact replacement to minimise any issues when mounting it.

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dolsen

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#441866 21-Feb-2011 11:32

hsvhel: Thanks Cyril

Its not as dodgey as it sounds.
(snip)

Im paying for the decdoder, just at the 2nd room rate. The primary account stayed at the origional address, the 2nd room was no longer required and i thought i would make use of it.
All very above board, i promise!

Um, actually, that's not above board as you are not paying the correct amount for sky. I'm pretty sure that the t&c would state that you are not allowed to move the 2nd decoder to a second address.

Anyway, have a look at the trademe link shown above. I'd look at buying one of those, then getting up on the roof and swapping it over. For $30, it's worth it.

Otherwise, get the signal strength shown on the screen and make small adjustments to the lnb and see if you are able to get more signal strength (have a second person tell you if you increase or decrease the signal).

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