No signal Intensity

windysurfer

Hi
My first post here. I had a search for the answer to my question but can't find the answer!

I have a portable satellite kit bought from Maplins.It uses a Comag SL 30/12 receiver and has worked fine for the last 6 months that I've used it.
When I used it this weekend I could not get any signal Intensity no matted what I tried. When I attached my sat finder it didn't light up as it usually does.
Is my receiver knackered?
Should I get some voltage from the LNB in connection?
Is it fixable?
Any suggestion where to get a cheap replacement from?

Thanks

Windy

satelliteman

Welcome,

Checking the usual coaxial connection exiting the receiver is always the best place to start. If ok, check LNb power setting is activated in the set up menu.

It's also possible your dish maybe mis-aligned/moved off alignment.

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futumsch

It's also possible your dish maybe mis-aligned/moved off alignment

Yes, the dish pointing on those 40cm dishes has to be bang on. I had one a couple of years ago, and it had a in built beeper - really usefull - on the info menu if i can remember correctly.
The face of the dish has to be near vertical for Astra in the UK.

windysurfer

I checked the cable and thats fine.
I get absolutely no signal intensity no matter how much I move the dish.
I'll check that LNB power is turn on.Everything worked fine last time I used the setup.

Is it possible to short the receiver during setup?By this I mean it was pouring down last time is set the dish up and wonder if getting the coaxial connection wet could short out the receiver

futumsch

The cable that comes with these kits has the F-type connectors already on, so its unlikely you've got a short from the braid.
Also, I'm sure the kit comes with cable boots to cover the connectors. But if rain has got in, its not going to short your lnb DC bias, but its sure going to change the cables dielectric capacitance resulting in less signal. If you dry off the outside cable by the lnb, and then take the cable off, tip it down and see if any drips of water come out. Now a serious installer would tell you to replace the cable, but if you've still got it loose, get it in the airing cupboard for a couple of days. Next time you put the cable up, if you can't get any amalgamating tape, put a carrier bag over the lnb secured by an elastic band. Its not professional i know but it'll stop you any worry next time it tips it down.
My gut feeling ( i could be wrong) is that is that you might not have it pointed smack bang on yet, have a look at _dishpointer.com and to get a reference bearing for your satellite you want...28.2e , 19e or 13e.

windysurfer

I've checked LNB power and it is already on.
If I attach my sat finder should it not light up if there was power to the LNB?

Can I check the voltage (if any) thats going the the LNB?
I've tried again the get signal intensity but no matter where I try the dish if doesn't increase, also the beep pitch never changes

thanks

Tivù

If you have a multimeter handy, and if you take due care, you should be able to check that either 13 or 18V is present.

If not ..................... not sure!

windysurfer

Not getting any voltage at all!!
Is this fixable?

Vipersan

A little confusing m8 ..
you say in earlier post that
"I've checked LNB power and it is already on.
If I attach my sat finder should it not light up if there was power to the LNB?"

does it light up ?

If it does light up ...then your second post can't be correct
"Not getting any voltage at all!!
Is this fixable? "

rgds
VS

windysurfer

no it doesn't light up.
The setting on my receiver -LNB Power- is set to on.
It was suggested in an earlier post in may be deactivated

Sat finder used to light up when I could get some form of signal intensity but no longer does

sorry for the confusion

Vipersan

From what you have said ...it comes down to one of 2 things ..
either (as has been suggested already) the lnb voltage is indeed disabled in the setup menu.
Or the comag has developed a fault.
The LNB voltage is applied to the F connector via the tuner ..
Usually from a switchable regulator device under menu control ..
and ..yes most things are fixable but 2 things to consider if this is the case..
Firstly it isn't something you can easily fix yourself ..
You would need to get this to a repair shop..
..and secondly the relative cost of replacement against cost of repair.
I come accross this quandary on a daily basis ...and sadly labour costs coupled with parts can often exceed that of simply replacing 'relatively' inexpensive equipment.
That said ..the ball as they say is in your court..

Be absolutely sure that the lnb voltage isn't just disabled before making any decision
rgds
VS

windysurfer

I can't see anywhere else to turn the LNB voltage on.
The only place I can see LNB voltage is enabled.

Can anyone recommend a cheap replace?
cheers

Gaz

Tivù

Your first Post suggests that it may well still be under Warranty - unless you had it stashed away in your bottom drawer before putting it into service.

windysurfer

bought it second hand of somebody who had never used it so it's out of warrenty

Tivù

Drat and double drat

futumsch

Dumb question, but you have connected the RF cable to LNB in, not IF out?
And in the LNB menu, you have 'universal' selected?
Bit of a damned shame if its stopped working all of a sudden.

windysurfer

not a dumb question at all, but yes it is all connected up correctly.
LNB is set to universal.

Tis a shame as I've only used it a couple of dozen times