Periodic freezing/blocking

[BobbyZa]

Hi.

I have had my Sky+ box (Pace TDS470N) for just over a year and a problem has started to emerge. Every few minutes the sound will disappear for a second or two and often the picture will freeze/show blocking as well. Admittedly, sometimes up to half an hour can pass without us seeing the problem. Quite annoying when watching a funny show and the sound disappears in the middle of the punch line. I also use the radio stations on the Sky+ box and there I have observed the problem as well.

I have done little so far to solve the problem – don’t know where to start really.

Any ideas?

Input 1 Signal Strength: ~40%
Input 1 Signal Quality: 80%
Input 1 Lock Indicator: OK
Input 2 Signal Strength: ~20%
Input 2 Signal Quality: 70%
Input 2 Lock Indicator: OK

Also, this is my 3rd box in 5 years. Have I been unlucky or are boxes of crap quality therefore only lasting 12-24 months?

 

[satelliteman]

Hello,

Although the signal quality readings seem fine, the strength looks a little low; might be an issue.

Don't rely to much on the screen signal readings, they are not that accurate.

Could be a number of things:

1. It may be the dish has moved very slightly in the wind recently, requiring re-alignment

2. Could be down to a box problem after all, requiring replacement

3. Could be DECT interference problems (digital cordless phone) move base station to another position to see


Glad to help

 

[BobbyZa]

Thanks for your ideas. I have investigated a little and found what may or may not be the culprit. Got the ladder out and climbed up on the roof. There I found 4 wires going down to the lounge and on the flat bit of the roof I saw something interesting. (See photos) It turns out the cables were joined using the proper metal bits. All fine. But then they were sealed using a tape that now (2 years later) has disintegrated. We have had a lot of rain recently (including today) and SKY signal is totally dead. My current theory is that water has penetrated and currently causing the total signal dropout. O-no

What do the experts think?

And what tape (or other method) lasts more than 2 years?

Thanks.

 

[rolfw]

If you use good quality self amalgamating tape and a couple of layers, then it will last for many years, but better to run new cable in one length.