Satellite Dish alignment

[Chocky]

I forgot to ask
Before you go roof hopping Rolf
What is the engineer going to do please ?
Will he pull all the wires out and will I have to take all my teddies off the top or is he just going to fiddle with the dish.
I'm getting a bit worried as I have no idea.

[rolf]

He may check the signal at the back of the digibox by reaching around a disconnecting the cable from the dish, but the teddies can probably stay there, or he may go straight to the dish and test there.

For dish installation tips

[Chocky]

Oh well that's good.Thank you
I have different coloured stickers on each cable plug to match the sockets, not that he'll get in a muddle. I'm told on asking arround that this firm is really good

I supose then he has a sort of gadget the tells him the alignment reception ? That would ogical
Thanks

[Chocky]

OK. The LNB had gone.
They went into Sytems thingy and there were two grey lines not alot on either. Any how, it was ok at the the digi box end so they checked the dish. The two grey lines are really strong now and it's guaranteed for a year.
So Thank you for the info.
I probably wouldn't have had it looked at.
Iwill have to let my son know, his does the same and some of my friends. We all thought it was interfearence from taxis and phone etc.

[rolf]

Well done Chocky, glad you got it sorted.

[Chocky]

Thanks. to ypu really
They did exsactly as you said they would. And like I said their rep' is good
Oh. I did hasve to was muddy footprints off my carpet after Lol

[Chocky]

Good job it's under guarantee. It has just started bereaking up again.
Am just updating the software. Have to be a contortionist to hold the back up button in and get round the back at the same time to switch it off Lol
If that doesn't work they will be sending the chaps out again tomorrow

[rolf]

Well if the signal is fine when measured on the cable behind the digibox, then it is possible that it is the digibox, Amstrads and Grundigs are renowned for it.

But yours is a Panasonic so not prone, sorry added this after looking at the photo properly.

[Chocky]

Oly the best.
That was the idea so you could see th box could have been closer I spose, was thinkinhg of a tidy phto really. (Tipicsl woman)
It seams fine now. The Picture is superb. I asked tthe two chaps what LNB meant and they didn't know. I diddn't tell them lol. I rang them and they said they'd come back if there was any more trouble. I think, yes I had it installed in 2003
Maybe I'll take out cover next time they ring me, they ring every year.
Any how all seams ok just now.

[rolf]

LNB stands for Low Noise Block Converter, it is basically a down converter from microwave signal (what the satellite transmits) to a usable Intermediate Frequency, something which a cable can carry without ridiculous loss.

Keep me up to date on it Chocky.

[Chocky]

I will keep you up to date
I told them when I frisr aproached them that I have a friend who is a sky engineer and by my discription of my problem what maybe wrong. I didn't say who or where Hope you don't mind. I was just covern=ing my self from being ripped off when I asked the prices. Found out after they have a good rep.
I did look uop LND BTW. I just have to know every thing specially if it is tschnical.
Mark my second son has cable and that has it's probs too

[rolf]

Don't call me a Sky engineer Chocky, I'll get upset, I know a little more than them. They get a week's training and then out on the road with a van.

[Chocky]

Oh dear. Sorry

[rolf]

LOL, that's alright, don't do it again.

[Chocky]

I won't I promise.

[Chocky]

Signal broke up once during Spring watch and again today about 2pm today so have called them out again. They should be here some time this afternoon.
they'll get it right this time hopefully

There web site
apolloaerials.com

[rolf]

Crumbs, they really pushed the boat out with that site Chocky.

Did they manage to fix it?

Just got back in, have been in the midlands today.

[Chocky]

Hope you had a nice time . you were missed Lol

The chap and his learner(apremntice lol) updated the software again and so far all is ok. BBC2 is worse and living 2. Seams OK now.
He said if it still does it the digi box may be on the way out but as it is only 4 years old and Panasonic it should be OK.
The signal and quality was excellent, gray lines almost at the end.
He had a grubby digibox made by Pace (didn't see the spelling) . it only had half the quality of mine. The signal was good
I think now I'll hold out now if it still plays up for Sky to ring (as they do evry year) and ask me if I want to take out a cover (all of £35) tnen I can get them to replace it.
It's been fine since the reupdate of the software, The young chap went and tapped the dish which didn't cause any interfearance.
Lol I asked what else they did and (don't laugh ) he said motsly up a ladder. I managed to contain my giggles

[rolf]

LOL, I'll keep my fingers crossed that the problems don't return.

[Chocky]

Thanks.
Spring watch saled through this evening with no probs.

[Chocky]

Yep Progs still breaking up so it looks like I will have to fork out for a new digibox and instalation.
Which will have to wait a while a good while

[rolf]

You can buy a new box for not very much money, you don't need to have it installed, it is simply a matter of connecting it.

[Chocky]

Yes they are about £45 but won't it have to be tune in sort of thing like i mean set up with the progs or some thing?

[rolf]

They do it all automatically, you simply have to connect the cables. You would also have to phone Sky to get them to pair the card to the new box, but even then, most channels will work without doing that.

[Chocky]

All my cables have colourd stickers that match the sockets sot of thing but a new box doesn't come with stickers.

Wouldn't updating the sofware do that?

Look at this lot of cables. Lol I can sure sort that lot out.

[rolf]

Updating the software simply makes sure that the digibox is using the latest version of operating system and Electronic Programme Guide, on a basic subscription, most channels will work with the card in any box, but there may be a couple of channels which will give you the "Wrong card for this box" message.

[Chocky]

Oh Right.
I am thinking along the line if I have to start forking out I may as well go +. I'll make some inquiries I haven't a clue as to the cost of that but I think isn't everything going digital in the next couple of years? It May well be woth it. But I don't know , trust does not come easy with me and as I know nothing about it I wou;ld probably wait for SKY to ring me (they ring abour evry 3 months) and talk to them. Is that a good I dea ?
If I go + They will send some one out to do the whole thing or what ever needs doing
Lol I haven't a clue.

Added info:
I rang SKY. I'm looking at £159 for SKY+
I may well give that some thought. It means a complete new instalation and cables etc

[rolf]

You are already digital with your ordinary Sky box, all that Sky + does is extend the capabilities of the box, so that you can record one channel and watch another, pause live TV, record a whole series of programmes with a couple of button presses.

All Sky will have to do is change the single LNB for a quad output LNB and run a second cable.

[Chocky]

Won't they renew the digibox?
I phoned them and they are coming on thursday to install it.
It does have mnore going for it though

Added info:

Yes. Just rang to confirm I gert a sky+box plus the intsatation

[Chocky]

Well. It took a whole day to shift all my things in the bedroom out of the way so that thee sky man can access the cable and later I have to remove all the books and DVDs and cassettes and junk feom my book cases so that the sky man can access the cables in the lounge. My flat looks like a holy tip. SKY + has got to be worth Hasn't it?

[rolf]

Oh I think you'll find it worth the effort Chocky.

[Chocky]

Yes i'm sure I will an when he's gone I have to put every thing back Lol
I'm glad it's not some one i know.

[Chocky]

Yup. It's all up and running and Walker Texas Ranger is timedin to record every episode.

[rolf]

LOL, can't beat a good Chuck Norris series Chocky.

[Chocky]

My hero. (shhhhh I am a Blue (brown) belt)

[Chocky]

Snazzy this SKY + recording. Gtotta cook for two now so have to watch my progs later.

[Chocky]

Rolf. Can digiboxes be repaired ?
Or should I just ditch the Panasonic old digibox?

[rolf]

They can be repaired, but probably not worth the effort, as the secondhand market is not very strong.

[Chocky]

Oh right. Thanks. I'll get rid of it
I wasn't thnking of the second and market . I just thought I'd give it away if it was useful. I 'll have to dispoes of it in the proper manor though