topic Re: Satellite connectivity in Sky Q

Satellite connectivity

Draper5 — Mon, 06 May 2024 17:49:51 GMT

Hi had to move the satellite junction box on the wall I reconnected the cables but still no signal I've checked everything disconnected cables several times but still no satellite connection anyone have any idea on what to do next

Re: Satellite connectivity

nigea99 — Mon, 06 May 2024 18:13:40 GMT

@Draper5 wrote:

Hi had to move the satellite junction box on the wall I reconnected the cables but still no signal I've checked everything disconnected cables several times but still no satellite connection anyone have any idea on what to do next

hi @Draper5

When you say junction box do I assume a faceplate with cables fed from the dish & then separate 'fly' cables to connect from the faceplate to the box ?

Did you you just move it or have you replaced the faceplate - if so do you have SKY Q or SKY HD and what kind of faceplate ?

Anyway if you are not gettting any signal it is quite possible that one or more of the fine strands of outer braiding are in contact with the central core wire causing a short circuit for the power so may I suggest you do a through check as these fine strands can be easy to miss

Re: Satellite connectivity

Draper5 — Mon, 06 May 2024 18:52:44 GMT

Hi it's sky Q and I've checked the braiding again it's all clear I had to move the faceplate a little to fit skirting board the first time I refitted the cables the sat connection was intermittent soon as I tried to fit the faceplate to the back panel it dropped out not been able to get it working since

Re: Satellite connectivity

nigea99 — Mon, 06 May 2024 19:00:20 GMT

@Draper5 wrote:

Hi it's sky Q and I've checked the braiding again it's all clear I had to move the faceplate a little to fit skirting board the first time I refitted the cables the sat connection was intermittent soon as I tried to fit the faceplate to the back panel it dropped out not been able to get it working since

hi @Draper5

it is possible that the internal core wire has snapped as this can happen in tight enclosures (which is one reason why SKY prefer not to use faceplates but cable through the wall)

I am not, personally, too sure what else to suggest as such a break can be difficult to identify - I will tag our kind expert @Godfrey as he may know somthing to try

Re: Satellite connectivity

Draper5 — Mon, 06 May 2024 19:02:30 GMT

It was Sky that fitted it this way and yes it's a tight fit putting the faceplate back on

Re: Satellite connectivity

Godfrey — Mon, 06 May 2024 19:52:45 GMT

@Draper5 It is impossible to offer advice without at least being able to refer to a clear photograph of the existing cables that are emerging from the dish into the back box, and the ability to see exactly what kind of wall mounted faceplate is being used, as well as how the cables are being terminated onto the rear of that faceplate.

I have to admit that it is the first time that I have ever heard of a Sky trained installer terminating coaxial cables on a wall mounted faceplate, they are specifically instructed to do everything possible to preserve the signal integrity by not introducing any additional joints between the dish LNB and the Sky receiver.

Godfrey.

Re: Satellite connectivity

Draper5 — Tue, 07 May 2024 13:02:46 GMT

Re: Satellite connectivity

Draper5 — Tue, 07 May 2024 13:06:29 GMT

Also there is a message saying satellite unlocked what does that mean

Re: Satellite connectivity

Mark39 — Tue, 07 May 2024 13:19:21 GMT

@Godfrey would know better than me, but the connection to the left looks suspect to me, both where the cable has been compressed away from the wallplate, and the connection to the wallplate itself, where the braid and the centre conductor look as though they might be in contact.

Re: Satellite connectivity

nigea99 — Tue, 07 May 2024 13:38:37 GMT

@Mark39 wrote:

@Godfrey would know better than me, but the connection to the left looks suspect to me, both where the cable has been compressed away from the wallplate, and the connection to the wallplate itself, where the braid and the centre conductor look as though they might be in contact.

I concurr - the left cable as we look at them defintely looks as if the core cable may have snapped & the shielding on both does look very iffy.

As there are 2 different types of cables I am guessing you had an old box with just one feed and then got an HD box at a later date

If you have a SKY HD box (which I suspect you do @Draper5 ) can you try each cable individually in the Input 1 (or main input - sorry I don't recall the labels on the SKY HD boxes)

BTW an Unlocked signal means it has not been able to establish a signal (i.e. unable to lock on to it)

Re: Satellite connectivity

Godfrey — Tue, 07 May 2024 15:49:08 GMT

To be blunt, the way that these two coaxial cables are presently terminated resembles an absolute amateur diy bodge.

If you feel capable of terminating coaxial cables with screw on F connectors, I suggest that you cut off the damaged ends of the coaxial cables and then terminate them using screw on F connectors.

Then I would replace the present faceplate with this design which would hopefully allow the cables to be attached to the replacement faceplate without any tight bends.

If you have any doubts about your ability to terminate these coaxial cables properly then contract this job to a local specialist satellite installer.

If you are still determined to use your unsuitable wallplate then at least prepare the coaxial cables to resemble this illustration;

Godfrey.

Re: Satellite connectivity

Godfrey — Tue, 07 May 2024 20:45:10 GMT

@Draper5 wrote:
It was Sky that fitted it this way and yes it's a tight fit putting the faceplate back on

Whenever a professionally trained competent engineer installs coaxial cable they will be completely aware that they have to respect the manufacturers minimum bending radius if they are not going to damage that cable during installation.

The minimum bending radius of WF100 / CT100 specification coaxial cables is 10 times the outer diameter, so if this coaxial cable is bent tighter than a radius of around 65.5 mm you can expect to damage this cable.

Godfrey.