FreeSat after Sky Subscription.

NCTquestion

Hello,

Just wondering if I can get some advice.

I recently cancelled my Sky subscription and want to start using freesat channels in the room it was installed in. I'm not concerned about getting the domestic channels with an Areil.

The problem is that the Sky Q box had two cables coming from the satellite dish. I use free sat in another room and there is only one cable that runs from dish to the received. I took the reciever box from that room and attached each one of the cables to the box in turn as I had read that one of the cabels was for the signal and the other was for recording or something.

Neither cable worked. And the message came up saying no signal on each channel I tried.

I also have a free sat facility on the TV so attached the wires, each in turn, and it was able to tune in all the channels available and even provided a schedule of shows due to be broadcast….but it had now picture and had the no signal message.

I was thinking that I could get some sort of device where I could attached both the cables and then run a single cable up to the TV or Reciever box. Is that the soultion? If so what is the name of the device and where might I get one?

Otherwise does anyone have any idea how I can resolve this?

Thanks in advance.

dxhound2005

From reading other posts here, it is probably the LNB which will need to be replaced.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123125803#Comment_123125803

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123388463#Comment_123388463

But I have freesat running off the same dish to two other rooms. The only difference is that they are single cable attachements.

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123388482#Comment_123388482

You might have a hybrid LNB which has two wideband outputs and the remainder as standard ones. In that case, you'd need to swap the connections on the dish.

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123388493#Comment_123388493

Is that a fairly handy job I'd be able to do?

Just switch one of the cables running into the room into another point on the dish?

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123388543#Comment_123388543

That's correct, if the LNB is of that type.

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123388720#Comment_123388720

Thanks.

I think I remember him mentioning something along those lines when he was installing Sky Q box. Something about changing something on the dish. Very possibly using the phrase Hybrid and assuring me the other freesat connections would be fine.

The Cush

If you install a genuine Freesat receiver it will work with the existing SkyQ cables, it will give you access to 4 tuners for watching/recording.

The 2 SkyQ cables carry the horizontal and vertical polarised channels separately from the wideband outputs on the LNB.

This option means no changes to LNB or other connected receivers

swoofer

You are missing an important bit it needs a 4K freesat receiver and not many about and expensive.

Unless you something I am not aware of!!

The Cush

Just on the terminology, Freesat is a proprietary satellite service in the UK that carries the UK channels with a 7 day EPG like Sky and channels pay for the privilege of being carried on the service. It was developed as a backup to the UK's terrestrial Freeview service, for areas not covered by Freeview and areas not covered by the full 6 multiplex Freeview service.

https://www.freesat.co.uk/get-freesat?srsltid=AfmBOoqSC09IQu7369gsq0QVFZhfeyQOuwRE_23AfmwTRvlpiSbg8Xap

Your other boxes, TV etc are free-to-air (FTA) satellite receivers that simply tune in the freely available, non-encrypted satellite channels in no particular order with no 7 day epg

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389683#Comment_123389683

Just making the OP aware of the option as no one else mentioned it .

The OP can make their own decisions.

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389735#Comment_123389735

Yes, my terminology is obviously off. I'm just referring to the saorview system without the domestic channels through the ariel.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389796#Comment_123389796

FTA satellite channels without Saorview I assume.

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389826#Comment_123389826

I'm guessing saorview are the domestic channels using the ariel rather than the satellite?

I think I have a saorview box but no ariel connection so just get the English channels free on the satellite.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389844#Comment_123389844

Correct on both counts.

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389854#Comment_123389854

Do you know how difficult it will be to get the cabe out of the LBN?

Will it just be a crew off/on or will I need any specific tools, or will it depend on the type of LBN?

From videos it looks like a quick screw off.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389869#Comment_123389869

Shouldn't be difficult to swap over the cable, screw off.

If the installer maybe tightened it a bit too much a small spanner or pliers can loosen it. Really need only be finger tight but there is a special tool to tighten and unscrew the f-connector.

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389905#Comment_123389905

Lovely. Thank you.

anonanymore

Unplug your receiver box before changing the cables on the lnb or you could possibly short out and damage the lnb.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389945#Comment_123389945

Good advice.

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123389945#Comment_123389945

Thanks. I'll have everything unplugged.

greasepalm

If its been up there years expect corrosion on it as most installers cut off cables and attach a new lnb with new connectors.

Dont forget your skirt to pull down after to help protect it.

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123390154#Comment_123390154

It's relatively new.

Had a look there and not corrosion. It has six points, four of which are labeled legacy and two that are labled WBH something. The two cables that were in the Qbox were in the two points labeled WBH and the cables running to the saorview boxes are in the legacy points.

No corrosion.

Managed to pull the casing up, it didn't come off, to reveal the connection point in more detail. Was expecting a more tradition screw set up. I had a little try at twisting the cable out by hand but it didn't move. Don't want to start pulling at it and causing any damage.

Is it a twist situation and I just need a pliers to get a proper grip or is there another way or technique? Also will it be difficult to get it back in?

swoofer

Those look like crimped connectors and are there for life. If you get them off they may not even be re-usable. The easiest solution is to cut the cables and refit with F connectors but wait for a while and others may come back with an easier solution. As they say you can live and learn.

Its actually a very good job and they crimped the legacy as well.

The bit you push up is the weather shield and its designed not to be removed.

Do you still have contact with the fitter? Dish looks easy to access just make sure you cut the 2 on the wideband outputs.

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123390842#Comment_123390842

Thanks.

No contact with the fitter. He was just a sky guy that came. He was sound in fairness.

If I cut the cable are the parts above the cut just stuck in the WBH points from now on and the LBN would have to be replaced in future if I wanted Sky back in?

This is a picture of the wire that came into the house and attached to the box. The silver part screws on (F connector?). It looks similar to the cable going into the LNB. Is this also crimped and is it the same as the cable going into the LNB?

If it is, is there anyway I could also screw it off, although it would be very hard to get at the silver screw part to do it.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123390856#Comment_123390856

Don't cut the cable, just get a pointy nose pliers or spanner onto the silver part of the f-connector to the LNB and break the lock, it should screw off easily enough.

The connector is crimped to the cable, if you cut it off you have to get new screw on connectors

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123390892#Comment_123390892

I can't even see the silver part of the cable attaching to the LNB points. I'm not sure I can get to it or a pliers would be able to fit in the gap.

If I could take off the plastic cover I'd say I would be able to just screw it off, although that would then leave cables etc exposed to the weather if I can't get it back on.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123390906#Comment_123390906

Personally I can't give you any specific advice on the hybrid LNB as I've never had any direct contact with them. Hopefully someone will give you hands on advice.

swoofer

Can you do a pic from underneath to show the connectors. If sky come back they will have the tool to take these off and just recrimp. What you may find is when you cut the cables you then use a pliers to twist and that should break the lock and they twist off. Thats a good lnb and breaking the wearher shield not a good idea. If I could see a pic for the underneath could maybe point at bit to break lock. My sky guy not responding yet.

Have u any spare f connectors?

NCTquestion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123391026#Comment_123391026

I went back up there to get the picture and was able to pull the weather guard up further than the last time and it reveled the screws.

I reckon I should be able to screw the cables off without cutting etc.

Do I have to take both cables out of the WBH. I was just going to leave the one I'm not going to use where it is and move the cable I will use into the lagacy point?

greasepalm

Satworld do these handy spanners for F connectors .

https://www.satworld.ie/f-connector-tightener.html