Longevity of LNB's and Downlead Cables

[Tembo11]

Excuse my ignorance of such matters

Do LNB's and downlead cables ever give intermittent problems related to their age (in this case possibly getting close to 10 years) that are similar to the receivers themselves starting to fail (i.e pixelation and partial picture freezing on certain channels at certain times) or is this nearly always the box itself

Many thanks
Richard

 

[Analoguesat]

Yes lnb's can fail over many years, and whilst cables are normally reliable, they can fail if water get into them

(Due to a badly sealed connection connection or the cable chafing through)

 

[Tembo11]

Many thanks for the reply
The F Plug cable connection at the external end still looks to have sufficient tape still sealing it. I think I may try a new LNB before I go down the route of replacing the box (even given that this is now a recon of an extra 5 years vintage)

 

[Topper]

Many thanks for the reply
The F Plug cable connection at the external end still looks to have sufficient tape still sealing it. I think I may try a new LNB before I go down the route of replacing the box (even given that this is now a recon of an extra 5 years vintage)

It should not have tape sealing it as tape will not seal it it should have self amalgamating tape which bonds with itself to form a solid rubber boot. That could be your problem

 

[Tembo11]

The set up has not been touched since a SKY engineer installed dish & cable quite a few years ago

 

[satelliteman]

Exactly, nail on the head.

I'd sooner check for dish alignment failing that swap the LNb and remake the connections.
Might be an idea to check with a friends receiver if you can or try yours on another dish.

 

[Tembo11]

What is the best way to check alignment for the dish for
N 53 31 02
W 1 44 02

that is according to my SAt NAv

 

[acezon]

get your self a little sat meter a simple one that beeps so be enough to pin point the strongest position, you can get them from ebay for next to nothing.

 

[guest poster]

you could use a small monitor/ tv on a long cable at the dish with the sky meter on screen... just concentrate on getting the quality bar as high as possible..

also... are there any trees that have grown up over the last few years or a neighbour who has had a new big aerial (or sky dish) fitted in that direction?