Advice Needed satellite tv signal Boosters

[dan1974]

Hi Guys are these boosters worth buying, do they do anything?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/slx-10db-gain-uhf-masthead-2-way-amplifier-l76an
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/signal-amplifier-a24fb

 

[Analoguesat]

The first one is a masthead amplifier for use with a tv aerial.

The second one is a booster for a sat dish. Now the problem with these is that they boost the noise as well as the sat signal. They may help, they may make things worse - its a case of try it and see. If you are trying to improve marginal reception (UK signals?) then you are probably better off getting a bigger dish.

 

[dan1974]

OK thanks i will try one then get a bigger dish.
When do all the channels finish moving around? is it Febuary

 

[Lazarus]

The second item generally only provides benefit where there is a long, lossy cable run.

It cannot compensate for weak signal at the LNB end.

But if you do want to try one, don't spend £18 at Maplin, but get the same thing from eBay for around £3.

 

[hexah]

OK thanks i will try one then get a bigger dish.
When do all the channels finish moving around? is it Febuary

How long approximately is your cable from the dish to the receiver?

 

[hexah]

That SLX UHF amp is a rip off anyway, you could get a Labgear equivalent with a psu for that price!

 

[dan1974]

The cables are approximately 25m, the problem is i am missing Sky Sports and sky news and National Geo and others.
They are there because sometimes they just flicker on or the picture is just blank, and it doesn't say No signal being received.
Also it depends on the time of day, why does the time of day affect it?

 

[dan1974]

Also i seem to lose signal on input 2 as well sometimes

 

[hexah]

It does sound like marginal reception, for which the only cure is a bigger dish.

That said you could try replacing the LNB with an Inverto Black Ultra.

Its also possible the dish may have drifted slightly out of alignment if there has been strong wind where you are.

Such a short cable length should not be an issue. Has it been stood on, bent or become kinked recently?

 

[dan1974]

Hi Hexah i have been up there today and realigned it, also i replaced the lnb for the Inverto black ultra 2 months ago.
How much do trees affect the signal, they are about 30m away but they are slightly higher now

 

[Piltdownpaul]

The second item generally only provides benefit where there is a long, lossy cable run.

It cannot compensate for weak signal at the LNB end.

But if you do want to try one, don't spend £18 at Maplin, but get the same thing from eBay for around £3.

Like i did.

 

[hexah]

Trees are a pain in the neck.

Some round here have cut down my view to the east. In the spring when (if) warm weather arrives I think I will attempt to raise it up a foot or so and see if that makes a difference. If it does I will add another K bracket to make it more rigid.

 

[dan1974]

Any idea why the input 2 on Sky + keeps dropping, before it was on 80% strength and 100% quality. Now its 50%strength and 0% quality. The input 1 has not changed

 

[Analoguesat]

Failing lnb, duff tuner, water in a cable, failing receiver, pinched cable, split cable. Or any one of a dozen other problems.

 

[hexah]

If you do change the LNB don't forget to put self amalgamating tape over any unused f connections as well as around the f plugs.

Moisture has a habit of creeping in where it is not wanted.

 

[peeter3000]

for Sky News 28E (1N) 12207 you need min. 1,8m antenna.
2F channels are 1-2dB stronger.
For UK Beam you need 4-5m antenna.

 

[skomedal]

If you do change the LNB don't forget to put self amalgamating tape over any unused f connections

Myself use weatherproof ( rubber O ring ) f connectors presealed with dry silicon mastic to seal the unused f poles

 

[hexah]

I have some of those.

The problem there is that moisture could creep up the body and the cable can slide out under its own weight. I unscrewed one when replacing an LNB to discover the cable had slid back a few mm. I should have taken a photo of it.

So I always use self-amalgamating tape along with any other measure. Belt and braces!

 

[dan1974]

Thanks Hexah, i will use the amalgamating tape and try it.
My 2 inline signal boosters turned up today so i will let you guys know how they work.

 

[timo_w2s]

With a bit of luck 1N will be gone in a few months?!