Variable signal quality on Hotbird high frequencies

steford

Installed a 2nd fixed dish just to get JSTV on Hotbird at 12597V. After getting no signal quality at all on this frequency on my new reveiver and old LNB (was fine with my old receiver) I added a new LNB. This now gives me a variable signal quality of 0-99% with signal strength of about 75% which remains solid. Anything above this frequency is unavailable - signal quality 0%, stength 75%. Everything below (apart from the next 2 transponders down) is rock solid at 75%/99%. Any idea what can cause this?

The only nasty in the equation is that this is going via a loftbox for the cable run and via a wall plate splitter. I'd suspect this if all the other transponders weren't so solid unless this kind of setup has an issue with frequencies over a certain value. My other doubt is the skew of the LNB which I haven't particularly tweaked but again the great signal on other transponders leads me to think it's pretty much OK.

Any help really appreciated.

Thanks.

rolfw

Is the outlet plate a good quality one? I've seen some pretty poor quality diplex and triplex outlet, which knock the stuffing out of the signal.

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steford

Thanks for the quick response - I'll check - can't remember where I sourced them from or whether the installer brought them. Would this affect higher frequency signals more than LF ones?

rolfw

Quite possibly, unfortunately solving faults like this is a process of elimination. Next step would be to bypass the loftbox.

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Robbo71

Would it be possible for you to temporarily remove the loftbox, wall plate etc etc out of the equation. i.e just run some decent cable straight from the dish to the box, through a window or something?

Least then you would know that there is nothing external causing the problem.


Edit: SNAP! rolfw

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steford

Yes I can see that being my only option really and ending up having to do a new cable run without the loft box in line - not sure my wall can take any more cables through it :-(

Thanks guys.

steford

Quick update on this.

Just replaced the cable temporarily and am now going direct from LNB to tuner - exactly the same problem. RAI Edu (for example) is fine, JSTV is still not OK. Same 75% signal, 0% quality.

This happens whether it's in Tuner 1 or tuner 2 on the receiver. This LNB replaced an older one showing the same issues so I doubt it's a dud.

Any further thoughts would be most appreciated.

Thanks very much

Topper

So you have elliminated one set of factors how about a DECT radio phone, do you or your neighbours have one close by, if so kill the power to the base station and the phone and see if things improve

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Robbo71

Do you have good line of site to Hotbird?

I assume that the dish is tweaked/aligned properly?

Do you have the correct LNB settings in the receiver i.e Universal?

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steford

Thanks guys.

Yes perfect line of site to Hotbird but I aligned the dish myself so it probably could be better. Could that affect certain transponders only to that extent ie 75/99 on some transponders, 75/0 on others? STB LNB settings arealso correctly set.

DECT? There is a DECT phone next to the receiver - not had any issues with it before but worth a try.

Thanks again.

Topper

Don't forget multiple satellites like Hot Bird are generally co-located but in reality are miles apart, but when viewed from earth appear co-located. Also transponders can be modified to give out different footprint shapes, so all in all yes it could affect certain transponders if you are not aligned correctly

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steford

Update on this - grabbed an engineer who was installing Sky at my neighbour's place today. He went up on the roof and aligned the dish properly. Now works fine. Not bad for £10.

Thanks for all the help.

rolfw

Well done, that was a result.

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