Your comments are always welcome. Please use the form below to add your thoughts or questions to this page. We will get back to you as soon as we can.
IanFriday 18 January 2013 4:47PM
Hinckley Please don't try to clear your dish with a hose pipe, you will end up with a skating rink and possibly a damaged LNB.
Insistently, if you live in a snowy area you can fit a low watt heating cable to keep it clear.Tony HillFriday 18 January 2013 6:19PM
Dorchester What do satellite viewers do in countries with constant winter snow - such as Norway or Germany? Do they have special (heated?) dishes or what?Charles StuartFriday 18 January 2013 6:43PM
Bristol I had wondered about this. I don't use it but there is a satellite dish on the side of my house and it's covered in snow. I do use Freeview and everything seems OK there, so I assume that snow on the conventional TV aerial doesn't affect reception.Charles Stuart: The conventional antenna will work as a wave-guide when covered in snow, as the electromagnetic signal will still cause a signal to form.
The dish works - as per the above diagram - by the "dish" reflecting the signal onto the LNB. A. GreenFriday 18 January 2013 10:18PM
Stop the snow problem on your dish.
Westfalia.net sell a LNB protector for £9.99
It's a transparent bolt on plastic curved cover.A. Green: I'm not sure if that will help if there are inches of snow on the dish though... a.coudraySaturday 19 January 2013 8:50AM
Southampton my neighbor cleaned off the snow from my dish and im still not getting any signal as i am bed bound for most of the day the tv is my lifeline what to do nextoldbrewSaturday 19 January 2013 1:30PM
Sky have some online procedures to try for signal loss, e.g. switching the box off for a short period, and some other ideas.
Having said that they didn't work for me but the phone advice line told me to wait overnight, and in fact after about 30 hours with no signal, it came back this morning.Tony HillSaturday 19 January 2013 5:55PM
Dorchester Are there heated dishes in cold countries?jb38Saturday 19 January 2013 8:15PM
a.coudray: If anyone has tried to either reset or rescan the box after no signal was first discovered then this will have to be repeated, but irrespective of whether it had been or not ask whoever to switch the box off completely from the mains supply, then after about 30 seconds or so switch it back on again and allow it to go through the searching for listings procedure. BobSaturday 19 January 2013 8:17PM
I get the no satellite signal error (mainly code 29 but also saw code 25). I have had no signal for 2 days now as yesterday there was snow on the dish, arm and LNB. Today the dish, arm and LNB all appear to be snow free but still no satellite signal. The dish is on the end of a silver pole which I did shake gently to try and get the snow off yesterday however the pole moved. I have pulled the pole back but not sure if this has affected the signal. Is the dish in an exact location and if moved slightly can this completely remove all signal?jb38Saturday 19 January 2013 8:34PM
Bob: The amount of movement that's necessary to kill off a signal is absolutely minute and would not be noticed by the human eye, and judging by what you have said its almost guaranteed that the dish is slightly out of alignment.
If you are using a standard Sky box then press "services" then 4 - 6 and see if anything is being indicated, if it is then both the strength and quality have to be at the minimum equivalent of 55% or so to resolve a picture, if it isnt, or there is nothing at all being indicated in the bars then leave it on that screen and try moving the pole a fraction at at time checking after every move, the key to success with this type of operation being to move slowly as some older boxes have a slight lag in responding.
By the way the screen will likely revert to the no signal warning after a few minutes so just put it back on the check screen, and with regards to code 25 or 29 they basically just mean the same thing, i.e: no signal. RichardSaturday 19 January 2013 10:27PM
No snow in Ireland so far only sleet,British satellite signals are perfect but several channels from Astra 19.2 are very weak at present.BobSunday 20 January 2013 12:05AM
Jb38: If I told you I loved you would that be inappropriate :D
I went into the menu you said (I have Sky+ HD so had to work it out). Put the broom out my window and slowly moved the pole the dish is attached to cm by cm. I purposely put the volume up higher than normal and as I was moving the dish I heard Sky come on down stairs, (haven't been so glad to hear that women going on and on on channel 998 lol)
Thanks to you I can cancel the engineer (who was coming out under warranty) and most importantly tomorrow I will be watching Chelsea vs Arsenal and Tottenham vs Man UTD on my 65 inch Panasonic Viera flat screen TV with my Sony S Master amp blasting out 5.1 surround sound and a 6 pack of ice cold fosters gold :)
All the best mateIanSunday 20 January 2013 12:53PM
Hinckley I would still have someone out to align and tighten the dish.jb38Sunday 20 January 2013 4:10PM
Bob: Well, I don't really quite know how to follow that!! except that is to say that I'm really pleased to hear that you have successfully managed to sort the problem out in time for your eagerly awaited event, and with the problem only really having been rectified by your "careful" adjustment of the mounting pole, something which although being a relatively simple task is one which frequently results in failure by many who try to correct dish alignment problems, and with this being basically because that they fail to realise the precision involved and usually swing the dish around as though it was an aerial used for analogue TV reception rather than carrying out a series of fractional moves at a time and with frequent reference being made to the TV's signal checking screen after every move, unless that is they are fortunate enough to be able to view the TV from the dish or via a mirror.
I would though scribe (with something sharp) a thin line on the pole and also on its mounting bracket just in case it should move again at any time, as it would provide you with a reference marker point to turn the pole to before carrying out some fine trimming using your rather "sizeable" TV's signal checking screen, and an ideal device for this purpose, because between it and your 5:1 sound system blasting out I dare say that one could forget that they are not actually at the event, and especially so after a few cans of Fosters Gold!!
Cheers / jb.BobSunday 20 January 2013 4:35PM
Jb: Assuming there is only one line of sight the dish can be in to have signal, I'm hoping I won't need to do anything else. Reason being is the metal pole is currently touching the gutter of the roof, it cannot physically be moved any further over. If I move the pole even an inch away from the gutter I completely lose signal. Assuming the dish itself hasn't moved I think it should be ok
Thanks againjb38Sunday 20 January 2013 5:00PM
Bob: No, you should not require to do anything else, I only mentioned what I did because many people have their dishes clamped to things like scaffolding poles and such likes and with the actual pole being clamped to a railing or whatever, and when you mentioned about turning the pole that the dish was mounted on I automatically assumed that you possibly had a similar set up, and what I was referring to was purely the pole clamp and not the dish.
But the main thing is that you do not require to make any changes to what you are using, if that is its been previously satisfactory prior to the glitch that you have rectified.BobSunday 20 January 2013 8:06PM
Jb38: I understand what you're saying. The picture appears normal however signal is about 80% for Signal 1 Strength and Quality and about 75% for Signal 2 Strength and 80% for Signal 2 Quality I'm assuming Signal has no effect on picture quality as long as your above the 55%. Is it a case of you either have Signal or you don't?
Kind regardsjb38Sunday 20 January 2013 9:44PM
Bob: These indications are perfectly OK! and indeed can even be classed as being at the higher end of the norm for an average installation and so you don't really have anything to be concerned about, but as far as satellite signal levels are concerned the general rule is that the quality level of the signal being indicated should never at any time be under that of the strength when tested under normal reception conditions, e.g: neither snowing nor thundery rain clouds being overhead, because if the quality is lagging the strength then that's when picture glitches or intermittent audio squeaks are liable to be experienced during even a light rain shower, the lag generally indicating that the dish alignment requires some fine tuning to correct the problem.
That said though, I have tested out quite a number of satellite installations that were installed by Sky engineers a couple of months or so earlier and found them to be somewhat less than perfect, and they were using professional (although not top range) equipment to install them, there in again there are engineers "and" engineers if you get my drift!
RichardMonday 21 January 2013 12:12PM
Sky suscribers who lose service because of adverse weather conditions are entitled to receive credit for loss of same.Contact Sky and demand credit,the met office can prove that certain areas had heavy snowfalls.IANFriday 25 January 2013 10:04PM
Would it be OK to spray anti freeze on the dishjb38Friday 25 January 2013 11:40PM
IAN: Well although it wouldn't do any harm and indeed can actually be beneficial insomuch that there is no danger of the dish being knocked out of alignment, but results can be obtained far quicker by carefully dusting the bowl of the dish + the face of the LNB with a soft brush.
The other point being that anti-freeze only works at the time and doesn't have any lasting effect.KMJ,DerbyFriday 25 January 2013 11:43PM
IAN: I wouldn't recommend it as antifreeze is poisonous, especially to dogs and cats who might be tempted to drink any pool of liquid that might form on the ground.moatwaySaturday 26 January 2013 4:03PM
For those are good at bowling, try throwing some snowballs at the LNB arm.Tony HillSaturday 26 January 2013 7:21PM
Dorchester I assume nobody knows what happens in snowy countries like Norway, Canada etc: heated dishes?jb38Saturday 26 January 2013 8:52PM
Tony Hill: The answer is basically that exactly the same situation applies as in the UK insomuch that viewers have to go out every day to brush the snow off their dish, although there is more of a trend for people to spray their dishes with products that are really designed to disperse water from car electrics or they might even use other types of sprays intended for windscreens, although there are (or used to be) so called self adhesive electric heating elements of a somewhat iffy design as far as safety is concerned that were designed to be attached to the dish.
The reason I know this is because I have a son who resides in Canada and repeatedly asks me exactly the same question hoping that some magic remedy has came into being since the last time he asked, as clearing the snow from the dish is a "first thing in the morning" and likewise the evening daily routine for not only him but everyone else around him, its just a way of life across there!
Heating the dish is relatively easy to arrange by custom making the necessary to do the job, but the difficulty is when it comes to the surface of the LNB, this not only because of the critical nature of the device but by its vulnerability to damage. Tony HillSunday 27 January 2013 7:58PM
Dorchester jb38: Thanks for that. I have to say that I am very surprised that nobody has developed a solution to the problem. A profitable niche . . . ?jb38Sunday 27 January 2013 8:48PM
Tony Hill: Yes, but I suppose that as soon as a heating element comes into the equation that automatically involves power of a somewhat higher magnitude that the low current maximum of 18 volts or so DC thats used in an LNB and that could be an issue for the non technical.
Although this type of thing is not outwith the realms of an enthusiast who could weave some low voltage heating wire of the type used in some 24 volt heating pads around the rear of the dish and also a loop of same around the outer rim of the LNB, the supply transformer being inside the property.
Of course for satisfactory results the transformer would require to left powered up all of the time, and so possibly a 12 / 15 volts type would be best for this purpose as by the element being underpowered it would provide only background level heat. Tony HillMonday 28 January 2013 5:46PM
Dorchester jb38: Off you go then. Untold riches await!Tony HillMonday 28 January 2013 5:54PM
Dorchester jb38: Me again. Just been thinking about where the snow problem lies. I think it is snow on the dish rather than the LNB which is the problem. It is a bit difficult for the snow to stick on the LNB because of its relatively small size and the way it faces. I don't know if this correct (all the snow has gone now) but if it is just the dish which is the problem, then the solution is a bit simpler - along the lines you suggest but also incorporating a thermostat?jb38Monday 28 January 2013 8:50PM
Tony Hill: Well, although that snow on the dish is by far the most common reason for the satellite signal dropping out, I am sure that you would be quite amazed at just how little it takes on the LNB surface to kill reception, as even the merest sprinkling can do on some types.
I will agree though that it depends entirely on diameter of the LNB surface as some of these Zinwell brand Sky quad blocks with the slightly tapered front ends (as they have various types) are reasonably immune to collecting snow, and so concentrating on keeping the dish clear is really all that's required, and as you have said, much easier to arrange.
As far as a thermostat is concerned, yes! you could fit the rough equivalent of a "frost stat" as used on some of these greenhouse heaters, although whatever system was arranged I would refrain from designing any system that requires a higher rating than 24 volts, although maybe 50 volts at an absolute push!
Tony HillTuesday 29 January 2013 5:57PM
Dorchester jb38: As we live in Dorset and not far from the coast, snow is not (usually) a major problem for us but it would seem that there would be a market for some sort of heating device in colder parts.jb38Tuesday 29 January 2013 9:38PM
Tony Hill: As far as the UK is concerned, I feel that this type of facility would only possibly be of appeal to a limited number of people that reside in locations where by necessity their dishes had be mounted on the sides of a chimney or some other high up location due to it being the only possible position that enabled the dish to have a clear view of the S/South Eastern Sky, or on the other hand with it maybe being of interest to a disabled person who was physically unable brush the snow off the dish.
Of course it has to be admitted, that after someone has gone to a lot of bother fitting such a device then its almost guaranteed that the following winter the classic "Murphy's law" situation would no doubt come into the equation, insomuch that it would turn out to be a mild one with only the occasional flurry of snow being experienced, and with this being of a magnitude that only required the very slightest of breeze to clear the dish.
However I do feel that in places like Canada or some of the Northern European countries such a device would in many cases be of interest, if known about! although by its very nature of having elements of a "custom build" attached to it, would in my opinion result in it being classed as being the type of thing that's more in the realms of a kit aimed at being fitted by a keen enthusiast rather than by dish installers, unless that is by request! ConorThursday 14 February 2013 12:14PM
Rt hd is now on freesat 2ahead of poor freeview and more to come this yearSheila RochfordTuesday 12 March 2013 8:40PM
We have had very heavy snowfall and I have had no signal for 2 days which is understandable but I also can't play anything I have recorded - is this normal? jb38Wednesday 13 March 2013 12:03AM
Sheila Rochford: If your dish is within reach of a long shafted brush then you should "carefully" brush off any snow lying in the bowl of the dish or any thats seen on the LNB front that faces the bowl, the main point about this operation being not to press heavy on any part of the dish in case you accidentally move it.
By the way, not being able to play back anything previously recorded prior to being cut off by the snow is because that the recording and playback side of the box only unlocks if data is received from the satellite.PaulSunday 31 March 2013 3:22PM
Hi all,
Since this recent snow fall, We get very disruptive and pixelated signal. The strange thing is, we have a Panasonic Viera set which has built in freeview and freesat, so both a satellite and am aerial are connected, and it affects BOTH feeds??
I've checked the connections, and the TV upstaiers is also affected (aerial only) Surely it can't be a coincidence?
~PS - All the snow has now gone, but the problem persists.
Any ideas before I tear any more hair out?
Paulupdates
Automatic update every 1 minute
Now picks up Freesat advertising bu…
Incoming BBC news director promise…
Smart TV failing the connectivity t…
Local TV Association elects chair -…
BBC may charge Sky for content as r…
BT Tower is just a relic? Wrong: It…
Ariel - BBC Trust: Online must impr…
Google TV: silent but not forgotten…
on UK Free TV
Show: 
