no satellite signal, but why!!!

dandt

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Dear all I have an irritating problem that noone seems to unsderstand
it would be great if at least someone knew what I was talking about
I have a sky box just for the free channels
Sometimes I can get all the usual free channels
Sometimes I can only get some (eg BBC2 but not BBC1) - I think this is to do with different 'clusters'
Sometimes I can get none
Before I proceed with an expensive callout replacement..
do people think its more likely to be the dish or the box
The arial lead seems fine and is a good connection however curiously
I can some improve signal strength [screen in set up] by wiggling the lead and if anything loosening connection. However this is all very chancy and generally unreliable
Anyone know whats going on and who its best to contact?
many thanks
Derek
 

2cvbloke

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If wiggling the cable changes the signal strength or quality, it's possible you may have a short-circuit in the cable end. The best thing to do is to re-make the connection between the F plug & cable (may sound daunting but it's easy as pie!!) as sky installers sometimes tend to rush things and muck it up... :)
 

rolfw

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How old is the box, what make and model and what do the strength and quality bars in the setup menu show normally?
 

dandt

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box is about 4 yrs old
Thomson DV3 skydigibox
bars for signal strength are at about 50% or more when it works
When it doesn't about 25% but it varies greatly
I also also did cut the cable and reconnect the fitting so that I knew it was good, but this didnt improve things
thank you both for answers so far
Who should I phone?
(sky wont be that interested in a non subscriptuion customer I reckon)
 

rolfw

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Correct, Sky will not be interested at all. :)

When you say bars for signal strength, do you mean strength and quality bars?

Unfortunately, you problem could be alignment, could be the LNB, could be the cable or connection at the dish, could be a partial dish obstruction, a tree perhaps, can you take some digital photos of the dish and its forward signal path?

A local independent would probably charge less than Sky anyway for a call if you are not able to sort the problem with our help, but if you can borrow another digibox from a friend, at least you could discount the digibox from the equation.
 

2cvbloke

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Just a little note, the little "DV3" logo is actually the DVB standard logo, the box model should be under the box or on the back... :)

My Thomson DSI4212 is a pain when it comes to signal levels, as it doesn't matter what I do, I can never get it above 50s/50q, it's an odd quirk with Thomsons, but my Grundig shows about 80s/70q on the same dish...:confused
 

misterminibus

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what you could try is a forced software download but beware if the transformer is on its last legs it may break....
However this is a standard procedure turn the power off at the wall press and keep pressed the backup button on the box then turn the power back on at the wall and you will get an on screen msg informing you this may take 10 mins so go and make a brew and come back when its done....
This may fix your glitch...
 

Yeshi

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I personaly think its the box. if wiggling it around improves it id suggest a dry socket on the tuner..
 

pgh13

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mrminibus said:
what you could try is a forced software download

Isn't that risky if his signal is intermittant?
 

rolfw

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I'm not so sure it is that dangerous, as the box does not replace the software until it has finished downloading it, if it doesn't download anything, or the download is corrupted, then it will not replace the existing software.
 

Yeshi

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rolfw said:
I'm not so sure it is that dangerous, as the box does not replace the software until it has finished downloading it, if it doesn't download anything, or the download is corrupted, then it will not replace the existing software.


True story.

Cable boxes flash as they download, if they get stopped halfway though you end up in a download loop.

sky boxes on the otherhand dont.. ive stopped many boxes before now because they have taken over an hour to download and restarted them.
 

aba

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have you tryed you box on another dish
or even have you tryed another box on your dish
this way you can eleminate one or the other
 

dandt

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turns out it was the 'LNB'
didnt know what this what when I started this discussion
It difficult to persuade someone to disconnect their box from their lounge and lend it so I bought a buy it now off ebay (£25 including postage)
this had same problem but also came witha new LNB
Previously I wouldnt have realised that these can be replaced by a user
Replaced it and both boxes work fine
Im not bothered that I neednt have bought a box
ive got what i wanted for less than the price of a call out
thanks for all peoples help [eg trying another box, someone early on mentioned LNB]..
I wonder how many non experts like myself realise that the LNB can be swapped
 

Topper

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Good......glad you are sorted

You are correct people are able to all types of repairs with little or no skills thank to this forum, there's load of information available but a lot of people have not got the patience to seek it out using the search routines.
BTW
Nice area you live in, spent a long weekend there a few years ago with the family, enjoyed it thoroughly
 
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