Poor signal quality

[JoeJoe]

Had Sky+ installed late last year.

Everything has been fine since with regards to signal - both signals were on
approx. 70% and signal quality on 90%.

A few weeks ago I had Sky replace my box (Thomson for a Pace) as the T was
way too noise. New box has been fine until two days ago.

Over the last two days we have experienced many picture freezes - changing
channel and then returning to the original seem to cure the problem, but it
then returned again. Watching BBC1 last night the picture must have frozen
~10 times in the space of 1 hour. The weather was pretty bad last night.

I checked the signal strength again, and it now shows ~60% strength, and
~50% quality (last night is was down to 40% at one stage).

What does the panel reckon? Problem with the aerial or the box? Just
thought I'd ask before phoning sky...

TIA.

[Bob Lucas]

Post by JoeJoe
Had Sky+ installed late last year.
Everything has been fine since with regards to signal - both signals
were on approx. 70% and signal quality on 90%.
A few weeks ago I had Sky replace my box (Thomson for a Pace) as the
T was way too noise. New box has been fine until two days ago.
Over the last two days we have experienced many picture freezes -
changing channel and then returning to the original seem to cure the
problem, but it then returned again. Watching BBC1 last night the
picture must have frozen ~10 times in the space of 1 hour. The
weather was pretty bad last night.
I checked the signal strength again, and it now shows ~60% strength,
and ~50% quality (last night is was down to 40% at one stage).
What does the panel reckon? Problem with the aerial or the box?
Just thought I'd ask before phoning sky...
TIA.

Bad weather (particularly torrential rain or snow) can affect signal
quality and reception. In such cases, quality should return to
normal, as soon as weather conditions improve.

The metering display from your Sky+ receiver provides an approximate
indication only. Even so, 50% quality is probably too low in good
weather conditions - and is certainly at the very bottom of the
acceptable range.

Did this happen with all channels - or just BBC1? Your Sky receiver
displays signal strength and quality readings, based upon
transmissions from Sky's default transponder. Consequently, meter
readings from this transponder may be much higher than true readings
from the transponder that provides your regional BBC variations -
which tend to be more susceptible to dish misalignment.

Your symptoms could be caused by any of the following:

(a) slight dish misalignment

(b) a failing LNB

(c) obstructed line of sight between the dish and satellite
(particularly trees or spring foliage)

(d) a defective or loose co-ax connection at the LNB or at the Sky
receiver

(e) water penetration into the co-ax cable, LNB or connectors

(f) defective co-ax cable

(g) a faulty Sky receiver, which may not be sending the correct
switching signals between high & low band transmissions or between
horizontal and vertical polarisation (less likely than (a) - (e) )

If your problem is confined to a few channels, I would suspect dish
alignment or a problem with your LNB. You are still within the Sky+
warranty period, so if the situation continues, it should cost you
nothing for Sky to check the installation.

[JoeJoe]

Post by Bob Lucas

Post by JoeJoe
Had Sky+ installed late last year.
Everything has been fine since with regards to signal - both signals were
on approx. 70% and signal quality on 90%.
A few weeks ago I had Sky replace my box (Thomson for a Pace) as the T
was way too noise. New box has been fine until two days ago.
Over the last two days we have experienced many picture freezes -
changing channel and then returning to the original seem to cure the
problem, but it then returned again. Watching BBC1 last night the picture
must have frozen ~10 times in the space of 1 hour. The weather was pretty
bad last night.
I checked the signal strength again, and it now shows ~60% strength, and
~50% quality (last night is was down to 40% at one stage).
What does the panel reckon? Problem with the aerial or the box? Just
thought I'd ask before phoning sky...
TIA.

Bad weather (particularly torrential rain or snow) can affect signal
quality and reception. In such cases, quality should return to normal, as
soon as weather conditions improve.
The metering display from your Sky+ receiver provides an approximate
indication only. Even so, 50% quality is probably too low in good weather
conditions - and is certainly at the very bottom of the acceptable range.
Did this happen with all channels - or just BBC1? Your Sky receiver
displays signal strength and quality readings, based upon transmissions
from Sky's default transponder. Consequently, meter readings from this
transponder may be much higher than true readings from the transponder
that provides your regional BBC variations - which tend to be more
susceptible to dish misalignment.
(a) slight dish misalignment
(b) a failing LNB
(c) obstructed line of sight between the dish and satellite
(particularly trees or spring foliage)
(d) a defective or loose co-ax connection at the LNB or at the Sky
receiver
(e) water penetration into the co-ax cable, LNB or connectors
(f) defective co-ax cable
(g) a faulty Sky receiver, which may not be sending the correct
switching signals between high & low band transmissions or between
horizontal and vertical polarisation (less likely than (a) - (e) )
If your problem is confined to a few channels, I would suspect dish
alignment or a problem with your LNB. You are still within the Sky+
warranty period, so if the situation continues, it should cost you nothing
for Sky to check the installation.

Thanks for the detailed reply.

Sky sent someone yesterday who realigned the dish and he signal quality is
now on 90% for both receiver.