[GiGaBlue UHD UE 4K] Losing channels

[gdmm]

A zap will not make the channel change names. Can we park that issue for now. Otherwise, we will go around in circles. We can return to it later.

OpenTV EPG downloader zaps to the Sky transponder, so that could account for the occasions when you encounter a signal failure.

Until you resolve the signal issue, please leave the wire 1 disconnected. Make sure that your tuner configuration matches the wires connected to them. I.e leave the tuner with no signal wire as "not configured".

Can you reach the dish/LNB safely? Issue may be f-plug, wire or LNB. Are the wires a shotgun cable or individual?

I can just about get to the LNB, but can’t really see as the sun is directly behind it. One of the f-connectors on the shotgun cable feels loose. Unfortunately, my ladder isn’t quite long enough to have a proper look, I will need to borrow one.

 

[Joe_90]

As I pointed out in post #33, cable 1 is the issue and confirmed by your running of the channel tests subsequently. Before you risk climbing ladders etc., have you very carefully checked the F-plug at the receiver end? Ensure the braid is shiny (not corroded) and that there are no stray wisps of braid that could be touching the centre conductor. Any sign of corrosion at the receiver end of the cable would indicate that water has got in from outside and has travelled downwards.

If all is ok at the receiver end, then you will have to check at the LNB, or get a professional to re-make the connections. I generally use silicone grease (a completely different substance to silicone sealant!) to waterproof the F-plugs at the LNB. Silicone grease is similar in texture to Vaseline and remains greasy and waterproof on electrical and RF connectors for years.

 

[gdmm]

As I pointed out in post #33, cable 1 is the issue and confirmed by your running of the channel tests subsequently. Before you risk climbing ladders etc., have you very carefully checked the F-plug at the receiver end? Ensure the braid is shiny (not corroded) and that there are no stray wisps of braid that could be touching the centre conductor. Any sign of corrosion at the receiver end of the cable would indicate that water has got in from outside and has travelled downwards.

If all is ok at the receiver end, then you will have to check at the LNB, or get a professional to re-make the connections. I generally use silicone grease (a completely different substance to silicone sealant!) to waterproof the F-plugs at the LNB. Silicone grease is similar in texture to Vaseline and remains greasy and waterproof on electrical and RF connectors for years.

I have checked both connections at the receiver end.

The cable and connections have been exposed to the elements for over 15 years, so don’t particularly owe me anything.

 

[Joe_90]

I have checked both connections at the receiver end.

I have checked both connections at the receiver end.

...and they are ok?

 

[gdmm]

Yes. No braids touching the core.

 

[Joe_90]

Thanks for clarifying. Must be an issue at the LNB end. Photos would help, if possible.

 

[abu baniaz]

Only if you can do this safely.

Once you check the f-plug on LNB end and it's fine, you should test the cable. We know the port on the LNB that wire 2 is using is fine. Swap the wires over on the LNB and test the wires again. If the problem has swapped over, i.e wire 1 now works and wire 2 does not, we know the wire is fine and issue is the port on the LNB.

What type of dish do you have (i.e is it a Sky dish) and how many ports does the LNB have? Are other receivers connected to the LNB? Pictures as requested above will be great.

 

[gdmm]

I finally managed to get a

Thanks for clarifying. Must be an issue at the LNB end. Photos would help, if possible.

Finally got some ladders of the right length.

The LNB is a four port but only two cables. Both f plugs were a little loose. I struggled to lift the weather shield as they was some kind of insect growth in one of the unconnected fplug ports.
It also seemed like the skew was set to -10, not -12.

The SNR on BBC One has increased from 86% to 93%. Strangely BBC Two is steadfast at 93% AGC has increased massively to between 98 and 100%

 

[Joe_90]

The AGC figure means little or nothing. SNR is the key. Are both cables and tuners working properly now? You haven't imparted that vital bit of information. You should be getting 900+ channels on a scan of each tuner.

 

[gdmm]

Only if you can do this safely.

Once you check the f-plug on LNB end and it's fine, you should test the cable. We know the port on the LNB that wire 2 is using is fine. Swap the wires over on the LNB and test the wires again. If the problem has swapped over, i.e wire 1 now works and wire 2 does not, we know the wire is fine and issue is the port on the LNB.

What type of dish do you have (i.e is it a Sky dish) and how many ports does the LNB have? Are other receivers connected to the LNB? Pictures as requested above will be great.

It is a Sky dish with a Labgear quad LNB. I don’t think it helped that the dish wasn’t level based on the bubble on the LNB arm.

 

[gdmm]

The AGC figure means little or nothing. SNR is the key. Are both cables and tuners working properly now? You haven't imparted that vital bit of information. You should be getting 900+ channels on a scan of each tuner.

Both tuners are receiving 645 channels. Both show the same signal strength.
I don’t recall ever seeing 900+ channels being received on previous scans, but that’s probably my memory.

 

[abu baniaz]

They have stopped broadcasting many channels. It used to be 950+, now it's 640+.

I asked you to conduct a test in post 47. Any feedback? If the cable is fine, your LNB could be faulty.

 

[gdmm]

They have stopped broadcasting many channels. It used to be 950+, now it's 640+.

I asked you to conduct a test in post 47. Any feedback? If the cable is fine, your LNB could be faulty.

I missed post 47 prior to me heading up the ladder. Apologies.

 

[Joe_90]

They have stopped broadcasting many channels. It used to be 950+, now it's 640+.

I asked you to conduct a test in post 47. Any feedback? If the cable is fine, your LNB could be faulty.

I think the OP has sorted the issue now and that both cables and tuners are fine. It's a pity it took almost a month to establish what the actual issue was, but it seems to be sorted.
@gdmm - it's great that your issue has finally been sorted, but the learning from this is that full information helps us to identify issues quickly and following our problem solving steps exactly will result in determining the root cause..
A final piece of advice - img2077.webp in post #50 shows the LNB F-plugs without protective boots or self-amalgamating tape. I know that you have probably pulled down the rain cover, but if you still have the ladder it is worthwhile putting silicone grease (also called plumbers grease - not silicone sealant!) on the outside of the F-plugs and the unused connectors on the LNB. This will keep the connectors from oxidising and potentially keep out other unwanted insect visitors.

 

[gdmm]

Again, thank you for everyone’s time and assistance with this.
What I have learned is what little knowledge I have regarding the terminology and workings of these devices.