Sat receiver through scaffolding

[pezzaleeds]

Heeelp

I have recently moved into a flat with a satelltie dish outside but no box(It look like a modern sky dish, black and slightly squashed rather than round)

So i bought myself a freesat box from Argos :-). But I get a 0 reception... as in 0%

I think this is down to 3 reasons:

option 1) I bought some new cable and changed the cables (This was special satellite cable co-axial). Have I screwed up on the re-wiring? Doesnt look like it. but you never know... I used slots P1 and P4

option 2) There is loads of scaffolding outside with a thick plastic cover used for advertising. Could this be totally blocking the signal?

option 3) The dish is dud and I should use my 30 day money back gurantee or go for a £80 installation

Any help on this would be appreciated!!

Thanks in advance
P
ps - live in Herne Hill, London so think reception is normally strong

 

[Analoguesat]

Read this page:

http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellite/694091-post14.html

which will give you tips on how to make up the connectors on satellite cable.

Its quite possible the scaffolding is blocking the signal - the signal actually comes down at about 30 degrees above the horizon - its not coming straight in. Or the plastic might not be microwave transpsrent.

 

[Robbo]

Hi,

Not sure what slots P1 and P4 mean, you only need to connect one coax cable to the box to the connector labelled LNB IN or similar.

Please post a photo of the back of the box if you can.

The plastic sheeting may attenuate the signal a bit, more likey though, the scaffold poles are blocking it. When I last saw a situation like yours, the dish had been moved and fixed to the scaffolding.

The LNB may be faulty, a replacement is only a few quid from ebay.

The dish may have got knocked off alignment by the workmen.

Are you sure you made the cable up properly? 0% signal and quality is unusual, you normally get something when the LNB is connected. Maybe try a pre-made cable to check if that gives you a response at all.

Robbo

 

[rolfw]

I'm not a lover of that connector fitting method Ross, I prefer the method here.

 

[Robbo]

I'm not a lover of that connector fitting method Ross, I prefer the method here.

Just tried this method, and I prefer it too. Although I found it was necessary to cut the dielectric back a little more than was depicted for the screw-on connectors I have, as it was too loose otherwise, but cutting it more or less right back to sheath as per the other method was not necessary, and can make it very diificult to twist all the way on.

 

[rolfw]

There can be quite a difference in the fit of the connectors, I guess it only needs a couple of microns of plating difference to make them either snug or loose, plus the outer diameter of cables can vary considerably.

 

[pezzaleeds]

Thanks all for your help

still waiting for broadband connection so bit slow on the threads for now

will get a new LNB and give that a shot whilst the scaffolding is up.... also got an aligining tool from a friend which may help

Chees
P