Sky signal poor - 40%?

Question

only over the last one week , our sky tv keeps giving this message - No siganl being received - error 36 . ( with half of the channels ).

We have tried to switch power off from the mains ; sky 0870 number wasn't any help .

Is getting a new box from ebay the only solution?

Other than checking our sky box, at someone else's residence , how can one find out if the problem is not because of the satellite dish? SYSTEM CHECK only shows 40% for both signal and quality.

Plzz advice soon.

Answer 1

Here's a few things to check.

1. Did the aim of the dish change?  Strong winds have been known to move dishes that did not have the fixing nuts tight.

2. Are there any new trees or plants that have grown up in front of the dish?  Be sure to look out in the distance between the dish and the sky.  We had a crete myrtle that grew up in front of our disk.  A couple of quick snips and the problem was gone.

3. The LNC (the amplifier in the center of the dish) may be getting weak.  These are much better than they used to be, most last 10+ years now.  But they do go bad.  Many of the newer dishes have more than one LNC to receive more than one satellite.  

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I willing to bet your system works fine but somehow the dish moved ever so slightly. If you alble to have someone watch the signal strenght and another move the dish - VERY < VERY slightly in one direction - stop and check. Move back and then past to the oterd direction and check. Move back to original and then move up and down very slightly checking with the person every time. Slightly means about an inch MAYBE 2 . I bet the wind got it and the install person just didnt tighten the bolts. Keep in mind if trees are in the path - they are getting leaves on them now and that CAN do it.

Answer 3

Sounds like a dish problem.  Everytime it rains here we lose signal and picture quality.  A neighbour had to have her dish moved because a tree had grown bigger opposite where it was put!!

Answer 4

It is either your dish or your LNB (the part on the dish which the wires go into). Don't get a new box because it will not change anything.  You need to get an engineer to fix it. Call out fees for sky are extortianate! My boyfriend works for a Firm who sell insurance policies for satellite and he would be able to fix it in two minutes!

Answer 5

From what you say ... there looks to a fault with the LNB (the block on the dish that the sat cable connects to) and so half of the channels.

This can only be dealt with by checking this along with the alignment.  Lidl often do a sat meter for £2.99 or look on eBay for one.

Answer 6

I would check the dish,,,some kids moved it or something,,,

have the company do a realign ,,call then at least see what they think

Answer 7

More likely to be the dish end. Rain causes loss of signal, and can get into the cable itself. A strength signal of 50%, and a quality signal of 60% is sufficient  for normal reception.

Answer 8

Yeahm8 big probz, get Sky out, we pay enough money for their TV, good luck..

Answer 9

Check aliment of dish.