Using an old sky+ as a FreeSat Box

[weller96c]

Hi,
When I bought my house I had Sky Q installed, the engineers fitted a new dish and left the old Sky+ style one. 
I decided maybe it's worth using the old Dish and hooking up an old Sky+ box I have. 

I've done this and the box is showing the standard chanels (BBC, ITV Channel 4) but any other freeview channels are askig "Insert the correct Sky Viewing Card - Go to Sky.com/QuickFix to pair your card"
Is it possible to activate the card to just view FreeSat channels?

Thanks 
Chris

[robjc]

@weller96c 

If you've still got your old Sky card you could insert it and try running the new install option

via the hidden menu.

Sky+  : Services button, 4,0,1, Select button.

Sky+HD : Services button, 0,0,1, Select button.

regards

[weller96c]

Amazing, Thanks that's working fine now 🙂

Weirdly DaveHD is saying no satalite signal but other channels like ComedyCentralHD or Sky1 HD are fine?
Don't suppose anyones had this before have they?

[Mark39]

---

@weller96c wrote:

Amazing, Thanks that's working fine now 🙂

Weirdly DaveHD is saying no satalite signal but other channels like ComedyCentralHD or Sky1 HD are fine?
Don't suppose anyones had this before have they?

---

What about SyFy HD?

[weller96c]

Hi Mark,

Dave HD is working again now but there are moments of signal failure. 
SyFy  HD is working but I think my issue is signal strength.

See signal from menu 
Link: https://ibb.co/cYw767B

Could this be a cable problem, or satalite positioning problem? Any advice or recommendations greatly apprecaited
Chris

[robjc]

@weller96c 

Could be an LNB problem, but 99% sure it looks like a dish alignment problem.

Regards

[weller96c]

Thanks @robjc 
I've never touched a dish before. Is it possible to realign the dish myself? Any advice greatly appreciated

[robjc]

@weller96c 

It is possible to realign it yourself, assuming you've got good safe access to the dish.

Best done with a meter, but if you (or a helper) can see the strength/quality bars

on the TV screen while adjusting it can be done that way.

Regards

[weller96c]

@robjc  - Perfect, I've ordered a £10 meter off Amazon and will give it a go.

Thanks again I really apprecaite everyones help with this 🙂

[weller96c]

Hi @robjc 
So I think the LNB is potentially a problem. The slightest of movements and I go from signal strength of about half to nothing at all. 

Replacing the LNB doesn't seem too complicated but wanted to ask how do I know if I have a MK3 dish. I know it's not MK4 as it's before Sky Q. The LNB is a light grey Zinwell but the model info has rubbed off over time.  I'm thinking of getting a hybrid LNB that supports both Sky+ and Sky Q as I have a second Sky Q Dish that I could swap it with should I ever stop using Sky and can still use that dish. 

Just wanted to get your thoughts really. Many Thanks 🙂

[JHRTF]

I have just returned my SKYQ box and want to use an old SKY HD+ box for Freesat.
I keep getting that I'm not getting a signal but when I go into Services/Network it tells me my signal strength is over 50%.

The other message I get is that the box is still initialising, but it doesn't.

Any advice I'd be glad of. Thanks.

[Mark39]

@JHRTF ypu'll need to have the LNB on the arm of your dish replaced. The standard Sky Q LNB is incompatible with Sky+ boxes, which is why you're having the no signal/initialising problems.

[Annie+UK]

---

@JHRTF wrote:

I have just returned my SKYQ box and want to use an old SKY HD+ box for Freesat.
I keep getting that I'm not getting a signal but when I go into Services/Network it tells me my signal strength is over 50%.

The other message I get is that the box is still initialising, but it doesn't.

Any advice I'd be glad of. Thanks.

---

You had your LNB exchanged for a Sky Q compatible one which will not work with Sky+, you'll need to have the LNB replaced before your Sky+ will work

[JHRTF]

Thanks very much! That will save me wasting any more time scratching my head!

I have no idea what an LNB is but I'm sure I'll find out lol.

Thanks again.

[JHRTF]

Thank you!