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All posts by jb38

Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.


Roger Duncanson : Although that said by MikeB, i.e: opting to replace the existing LNB with a 4 output quad type is by far the best way to go for maximum flexibility, however, the satellite A-B switching device as seen in the link offers a simple way of using two satellite boxes on a single output LNB, said output of same connected into the middle socket on the switch, and with the two outer sockets connected into each of the two boxes.

By the way, this device can also used to enable a satellite receiver to be connected into two separate dishes, e.g: one dish set on 28.2 degrees (Sky) and the other on 19.2 degrees for European channels.


SLx Philex Satellite A/B LNB Switch - Black: Amazon.co.uk: TV


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Michael: Sky dish systems are 100% compatible for use with Freesat receivers, if however your Sky box is a Sky+ model (two inputs from dish) then any twin tuner Freesat recorder can be used, although in the interests of reliability I would advise you to look along the Humax range of boxes.

If though your Sky box is not of the Sky+ variety? then your dish will most likely be fitted with an old single output LNB, this will require updating to a quad 4 output model and with a second cable run from same to where the box is sited, although if the coax has been in use for a number of years? its best to scrap it and run a new twin coax lead, known by the name of shotgun cable.

By the way, quad output LNB's can be purchased for around 10.00 or so from a number of e-bay sources, likewise shotgun type satellite cable.

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J
BBC Four HD
Friday 2 September 2016 7:22PM

Steven Seeds: Have you as yet carried out a retune on your Panasonic HD recorder?, as BBC4HD moved from its temporary slot (for the Olympics) on PSB3 back to the COM7 HD multiplex transmitting on Mux 32 / 562.0 mhz.

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Mark A: Yes, a dual LNB would be suffice for Michael's immediate requirements, but though my reason for recommending a quad LNB was purely because the price difference between it and the older twin output type is only around 1.00 or so, and the sheer convenience / advantage of having two extra ports as spares outweighs the fractional difference in price between the two.

The advantage referred to being, (1): as a back up against any possible failures of one of the two ports on the standard twin output block, or (2): providing an input for any other satellite devices that may be purchased in the future.


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J
Full technical details of Freeview
Saturday 3 September 2016 8:12PM

Peter: If you carry out a retune you will probably find that 106 disappears from the EPG listings, as BBC4 HD had been temporarily moved onto Sudbury's PSB3 transmitter (e.g: used by BBC1HD etc) for the duration of the Olympics to enable same to be viewed by a higher percentage of the population, obviously including yourself, but has now been returned to its previous position on COM7, Sudbury not being one of the stations fitted with COM7/8 multiplexes.

The nearest station to you transmitting COM7 being Crystal Palace @ 40 miles / 228 degrees, COM7 mux being on C33. If you wish, you could carry out a "manual" tune test on C33 but "not" press search or scan, because if any trace of a signal from C/Palace is received it will appear on the signal indicator bars.

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june rees: It would have been of assistance if you had mentioned what type of Sky box you are referring to? e.g: Sky standard, Sky+ or Sky+HD. However irrespective of model, carry out a signal check on the box during the next dry spell of weather and check what the strength and quality is indicating as being, as both should be a minimum of around 65% for satisfactory performance and with anything under indicating that the dish is slightly out of alignment, this in most cases being in the horizontal (right / left) plane, usually caused by the dish having moved slightly by either high winds, or accidentally struck with a ball etc.

If though both indications are around that mentioned, then the most likely reason for the problem is water gaining access to the inside of the "F" connector screwed into the dishes LNB, this having to be unscrewed from the LNB then further removed (unscrewed) from the coax for checking / drying out if necessary.

By the way, the levels mentioned do not apply to White Sky+ boxes, as the levels of these boxes never indicate much above 50%, this being OK on them.

Further advice as required.

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Rowridge (Isle Of Wight, England) transmitter
Saturday 3 September 2016 9:20PM

JM: Apart from the possibility of an iffy aerial connection, double check any jumper leads used, the other thing that springs to mind is whether your aerial is mounted vertically (elements up/downwards) or horizontally? as some viewers have aerials mounted vertically to take advantage of the TX power being higher on COM4/5/6 on vertical over that on horizontal, whereas BBC News HD is only transmitted on horizontal polarity at a much lower power that even the three COM's mentioned on horizontal, BBC News HD on COM7 at 24Kw, the other three COM's being on 50Kw.

Apart from having a look up the aerial to check the polarity, try manually tuning in COM7 on C31/554.0Mhz, but do not press search after having entered 31, because if anything is being received the level the signal is being received at will appear in the signal strength bars.

Further advice as required.




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Emley Moor (Kirklees, England) transmitter
Sunday 4 September 2016 8:03PM

Linda Tattersfield : Emley Moor has already been upgraded to accommodate COM7 and COM8 transmitters, and although the programme referred to has not as yet been added to COM8's listings on this (Briantists) site, the Craft channels website states that its debut date was the 1st of this month.

You will of course have to carry out a retune on your TV or box in order to update the EPG listings. Its also assumed that you are already able to view 111 QVC+HD and 112 QVC Beauty HD?, both programmes broadcast on COM8 HD.

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Details of 12B_BBC_National_DAB DAB multiplex
Monday 5 September 2016 11:35PM

Brian Taylor : Re having tried all the obvious things, did this also include temporarily disconnecting the rear ISO connector plug for around 30 seconds or so?

Also, whilst the radio is slid out of the dashboard fascia check for a permanent 12 volts supply on the pin connected onto the end of the yellow lead, this having to be powered "at all times" to enable the memory to function properly.

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Jen: In addition to StevensOnln1's query, check that the other person referred to has not accidentally set your TV on its analogue reception mode rather than the socket (scart or HDMI) your Sky box is connected into, the button in question on the TV's remote control titled "input mode.

This said on the assumption that you are "not" feeding Sky into your TV via an RF connection, i.e: aerial socket.

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