Temporary Signal Loss at midnight!

[JONNY7469]

Dont know is this info helps:

I live in the Murcia region of Spain and I have a fair sized dish - 1.8m.

Signal is usually fine but over the last week I have noticed that the signal dies (and status says "Not Locked") around midnight. This stays true for around 30-40 mins, and then the signal returns and all is good!

It's been fine all year - only just started happening. I have absolutely no idea why! Maybe the theory of temporary power dips or satellite rotation times have something to do with it?

Anyway, that's my input!

Jon.

 

[Topper]

Welcome to the forum JONNY7469

I have removed your post from the 6 year old archive you posted your reply to. It is not a problem as your information is more up to date in view of all the changes in recent times.

Only a guess but we are coming up towards the equinox next month so battery backup power on the satellites may be creating the situation you describe. If it is then expect it to increase in duration for the next few weeks.

 

[tomthebomb1968]

Hi Jon, i cant offer any advice but maybe you could give me some. Are you anywhere near Campasol, in Mazarron. We are thinking of buying a villa there. Is it true you get a lot of bricks for your buck. A friend has one and i was supposed to go out for a fortnight to check the place over. My son took ill only 6 hours b4 the flight departed and we didnt get out. Is the 1.8m dish what I would need for continuous reception. Not sure what size my friends is but he says he looses signal around 10am Spanish time for an hour or two every day.

 

[trigger]

Welcome to the forum JONNY7469
Only a guess but we are coming up towards the equinox next month so battery backup power on the satellites may be creating the situation you describe. If it is then expect it to increase in duration for the next few weeks.

Not sure topper but is the equinox not this month (I thought it was Sept 20th or so) probably wrong as always but never mind.

Cheers

 

[Topper]

Hi tigger

yes you are correct, 22 September, so even more reason for me to be correct

Thanks for correcting me on that, I keep trying to forget the lunar calendar...even though my religion insists upon keeping to it

 

[dxsat]

Dont know is this info helps:

over the last week I have noticed that the signal dies (and status says "Not Locked") around midnight. .

This may be related to the equinox but in Astra 2 satellite terms this is 10th October, not now.
At this time of year, the satellites move into the earth's shadow near to midnight and batteries are switched on to preserve the signal, as the solar panels will receive no light. If you're familiar with astronomy, you'll know that the outer part is the penumbra. There is a time of day when the satellites in the Astra 2 group start to move into this shadow. This reduces the output very slightly (only noticeable on Astra 2D). When the batteries are fired up the signal returns to normal (higher than normal on 2D). You can see this happening if you have a good enough signal meter.
It's possible that this is what you are experiencing. Only a tiny drop in power can cause signal loss in fringe areas. If it clears up at the end of October, you'll be safe until March, when it'll happen again.