Installation Advice

WLSM

Hi,

I installed a satellite dish in my own house and it worked fine, no problems installing.

I tried to do it for my sister recently and have run into a bit of trouble.

Getting "No signal received".
It is "locked" on to the satellite. Signal Strength and Quality are both at 50% or greater. But no signal.

Should I be getting a signal if it is locked and strength and quality are above 50%?

Line of sight is pretty good, there may be a chance that the neighbours roof may be blocking a small bit of the signal but I can't go higher with the set-up I have - would have to install a longer pole and would rather not have to.

Any ideas?

Peter Rhea

What method have you used for aligning the dish up to this point?

WLSM

I used a basic Sat Finder first, one with a beeper and needle, then brought the tv/receiver out near the dish and tried small movements while trying to maximise strength.
Plugged it in and out a few times hoping it could be that simple but no luck.
I tried the receiver on my own dish first and no problems there.

Peter Rhea

How do you know which satellite you're pointing at?

This site should be useful; http://www.dishpointer.com

If you don't already know & assuming it's UK channels you want, it's the Astra 2/Eurobird 1 satellites you're looking for at 28 degrees east.

FRIENDO

Thats a great site Peter.

Hi WLSM,
In the past I used cheap satellite cable and I ran into trouble when using over 20m length of cable.

marco2068

Peter Rhea wrote: »

How do you know which satellite you're pointing at?

This site should be useful; http://www.dishpointer.com

If you don't already know & assuming it's UK channels you want, it's the Astra 2/Eurobird 1 satellites you're looking for at 28 degrees east.

you could possibly be pointed at astra1 @ 19.2e, this has happened me before

WLSM

Thanks guys, it says it is locked on to the ID 0002 which is Astra 2 I think.
I thought it might be the cable length at first but then brought the tv to the dish to minimise this effect, no luck.
I'll play around with it a bit more when the weather improves and see what can be done.

kbell

Sounds like its the neighbours roof thats blocking your signal.
Can you position the dish anywhere else on the property?

WLSM

Current position has the best line of sight, albeit not perfect, may have to go with a longer pole, raise it up another foot or so should get it clear of the roof.

Anyone know if there are longer poles available that I could subsititute the original sky pole with a longer pole or will I just have to get a new wall mounting kit?

This is the kind of pole currently used:
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ5IoyLf0MLrczMvNy7WVZkk-HcqI4qAgemL3tqd7seA-zIMe-VVw

kbell

Something like this..

http://www.tvtrade.ie/universal-wall-mount-18-stand-off.html

..or similar t and k brackets and pole, depending on height and gutter/fascia clearance you need.

Peter Rhea

WLSM wrote: »

. . . there may be a chance that the neighbours roof may be blocking a small bit of the signal

The elevation for Astra 2 in most of Ireland is at least 20 degrees & the average dish, even when it appears to be 'looking' straight ahead/horizontal will instead be looking up by its 'offset' value, which will also be at least 20 degrees. Maybe you already know this, or maybe the roof may not be the problem you think it is.

WLSM

Peter Rhea wrote: »

The elevation for Astra 2 in most of Ireland is at least 20 degrees & the average dish, even when it appears to be 'looking' straight ahead/horizontal will instead be looking up by its 'offset' value, which will also be at least 20 degrees. Maybe you already know this, or maybe the roof may not be the problem you think it is.

Hi Peter, not sure if I get you, do you mean that you don't need a 100% clear line of sight as the dish looks that bit higher anyway? If so then yes, the roof may not be the problem.

Back to the original question, it the dish is locked onto the satellite and the signal quality and strength are o.k. (not great, but o.k.) then, in theory, should the receiver be picking up the signal.

Peter Rhea

You do need a clear line of sight, upwards at the elevation angle of the satellite you are trying to receive.

The bit about dish offset is just to illustrate that although the dish may appear to be pointing at an obstacle, it's actually focused on the satellite beam arriving from a higher angle; it can't see over obstacles though.

As to the original question, you have the correct network ID for Astra 2 but your 50% S & Q might not be good enough; what receiver are you using?

WLSM

A Pace sky Digibox, just using it to get the freesat.

Liameter

WLSM wrote: »

Thanks guys, it says it is locked on to the ID 0002 which is Astra 2 I think.

That's correct so it should be working.
Make sure you've disconnected the satfinder meter because that can stop it.
Check to see if ANY channels are working.
Make sure the LNB menu is set to defaults.
Try a different Digibox.

pegasuspub

when you check the signal strength on the pace digibox-signal test menu ...
does the lock indicator read ok
and whats the transport stream indicator from the same menu.?

WLSM

pegasuspub wrote: »

when you check the signal strength on the pace digibox-signal test menu ...
does the lock indicator read ok
and whats the transport stream indicator from the same menu.?

Yip, Lock OK
Stream - 07D4

pegasuspub

hi can you try a different digibox or a free to air box before you start adjusting the dish again.

WLSM

Got it sorted lads by just fiddling with it a while.
Thanks for all the advice.