Strange reception issues

N

norbie

Member
My Satellite Setup
Lidl 80cm Dish
Universal LNB
Fortec Star USALS Motor
Technomate TMS-1500 CI+
My Location
Isle of Wight, UK
Hi guys,

I have had a few problems recently with my TM 1500CI* which seem to have happened around the same time that I moved my tv around the room. I had to extend the satellite cable as it wasn't long enough so I bought some more cable, put connectors on the end and joined the 2 cables together with a coupler.

The system works great on most channels, but the problem I have is that some major channels don't have enough signal now to work.

I'm not sure what causes it. I've just factory-reset the box and put across the latest updates and a new channel list with updated transponders.

Example of channels working and not working:-

Astra 28.2E

BBC1 London
Level 55% / Quality 65%
Watchable, no breakup.

BBC1 South
Level and Quality fluctuates from around 20% (nothing on screen to 55% - broken up picture).

ITV Meridian (South)
Level 60% / Quality 70%
Picture is fine, no break up at all.

ITV London
Hardly any signal at all, no picture. Occasionally there's a picture but it breaks up.

This is all running on a motorized system. I have tried with USALS and 1.2, both do the same thing.

Other satellites seem fine to be honest - I use TPS for Multivision films and there's never any problems. It just seems to be on Astra 28.2E

I can't see that this is a positioning problem as some 28.2 channels work fine!

Any ideas? I'm stuck!

---------------

Also just to add, I have now have no picture on Film4, Film4+1, True Movies etc.

A lot of Astra 28.2E channels have poor signal now and most are unwatchable
 
What type of connectors did you use norbie, sounds like that is likely to be your problem.
 
Hi rolfw, knew you'd reply first ;)

They were bought from a different shop but should be just standard F connectors and then a coupler. I taped up the connection but appreciate perhaps that's the weak point. I've been advised to try and get a longer piece of cable and run it in one piece all the way from the satellite dish - does a break in the line really affect it this much?
 
What type of cable is it? If it's not up to spec then this could be losing signal as well.

It should be double screened. This means that as well as the outer braid there should also be a foil screen. On the original $ly Analogue installations this was a copper foil with and aluminium foil but digital installations need better quality and both braid and foil should be copper.
 
Not sure on the type of cable - I believe it was just "standard" stuff, it might be lower quality than the last which I bought from Maplin as proper satellite cable.
 
Yes, but is it double screened norbie?
 
I don't know, sorry. I guess I should replace the new cable then?
 
As you already realise it's best to have an uninterrupted run of cable but sometimes it isn't always possible. Whilst a connection isn't ideal it shouldn't wreck your reception unless your signal was already marginal.

You need to check the type of cable you bought and the connection itelf. Where you've put the F connector on it's all too easy to leave just a single strand of the braid bridged across to the core. Equally, sometimes the centre core has been cut too short and doesn't make a proper connection.
 
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