Newbie Here Lost in France 2, Freesat

[GCGThomson]

I have used Freesat with my Humax receiver for a number of years now in Beaune, Burgundy, France. Since about April the 'marching ant' tuning cycle has got progressively longer when I switch on and recently it took 40mins for the programme to be stable.

The problem seems to be more prone to BBC channels and I have to switch between the 'normal' channel and the HD version to get a working channel sometimes.

I have also noticed that the sound quality is degrading and the higher the volume setting the louder the 'hum' interference.

A friend who also has a home in the area has also experienced the problem with the Freesat tuner built into their TV.

Before I resort to more expensive solutions (which also may be short term) is this a strategy to reduce the reception capability here in France?

Thanks, Graham

 

[Lazarus]

This could well be Power Supply Capacitor failure.

There is a repair kit available

Humax Foxsat Repair Kit

 

[hairybadger]

FWIW Freesat reception is still fine for me (near Geneva).

 

[PaulR]

And last week when I was in the Vaucluse the levels were substantially unchanged.

I agree with Lazarus - it does sound like a power supply problem. I haven't researched this but you may find that you need to order the correct kit as there is more than one type of Freesat box from Humax.

Does your Humax sit in a place where it can get a decent circulation of air to carry heat away? Putting a satellite receiver in an enclosed space can quite literally cook the life out electronic components.

Your friend's problem may be the same or it may not. Does he have a problem with French terrestrial channels (assuming it can still display them after the changes earlier this year)?

 

[4wd]

Agree, hum and receiver coming into life after a period (voltage slooooowly rising), "normal" behavior for old\defective capacitors.