Troubleshooting | Checking the Cables

When there is a signal problem that is not caused by bad weather, obstruction, or improper alignment of the dish (i.e., Strength is lower than 50 or Strength is 0), it is important to rule out the possibility of a bad cable or bad connection before replacing the LNB or receiver.

• Check that RG-6 COAX cable is being used at every point between the dish and the receiver.

• Check that the signal cable coming into home is connected to the back of the receiver at the “LNB IN” terminal.

• Check for other devices connected in-line that may cause problems with the signal:
  • Some surge protectors with COAX cable connectors are not suitable for passing a satellite signal. Make sure it has satellite COAX cable connections.
  • Some splitters do not pass DC power or do not have a suitable frequency range (940 - 2050 MHz) to pass the satellite signal.
  • You should not use a signal amplifier that needs to be plugged into an electrical outlet.
  • An in-line signal amplifier should have a frequency range of 950 - 2050 MHz. Check to be sure the device is not hooked up backwards.
• Unplug the power to the receiver, and disconnect the RG-6 cable from the “LNB IN” terminal on the back of the receiver.
• Unscrew each connection along the cable line, and check to see that the center conductor is intact.
• Make sure there is no water damage or corrosion on any of the cable connections. Make sure the outdoor connections are sealed with silicone sealant or waterproof tape.
• Visually inspect the entire line between the dish and the receiver.
• Look for any places where the cable may be crimped or cut.
• Look for any places where the cable is wound tightly around a post or tree branch. This can cause it to break on the inside.
• The cable should not be hanging unsupported from point to point since it is not designed to support itself.
• The cable should be fastened to the LNB arm and dish mount with cable ties and to the side of the building with cable clips (provided). The cable can break over time on the inside if this is not done.
• Since you may not be able to tell that the cable is damaged by visually inspecting the cable, trying a brand new piece of RG-6 COAX cable connected directly from the LNB to the receiver may be the only way to rule out a cable problem.
• If you are able, you can check the cable for voltage and continuity before replacing the cable. The cable can be taken to most Radio Shack stores to be tested.
  • Check for voltage at the end of the cable run (near the dish).

1. Unplug the receiver.

2. Unplug RG-6 COAX from LNB leaving the RG-6 COAX attached at receiver.

3. Plug the receiver back in, and make sure it is on.

4. Using a volt meter, measure the volts at the end of the cable nearest the LNB. You should see about 13 volts DC. Touch the black test lead to the outer shield of the connector, and touch the red lead to the center copper wire.

WARNING! Be careful that, while the receiver is powered on, the end of the cable that is disconnected does not fall and hit any thing metal or that, when you are touching the red test lead to the center copper wire, neither the copper wire nor the tip of the test lead touch the outer edge of the connector. If this happens, the receiver’s voltage will drop to zero and can be reset only by unplugging the receiver for about 15 seconds. If you do not realize you have done this, you will get a false “no voltage” reading.

Check the continuity of the cable using an ohmmeter.

1. Select the ohms scale on the meter.

2. Touch the two probes together. The reading should be 0 resistance.

3. Touch the probes to the center wire on each end of the cable at the same time. The reading should be 0 resistance.

4. Touch the probes to the outer shielding on each end of the cable. Again, there should be 0 resistance.

5. Touch the probes from the center conductor to the outer shielding. You should see a resistance reading of 1 (no continuity). If you don’t see resistance, something connected to the cable could be damaged (e.g., grounding block, in-line amplifier, F-F connector, etc.).

• If necessary, use a brand-new length of RG-6 COAX cable between the dish and receiver.
• After the cable is replaced, if you still don’t have a signal, try bypassing the grounding block or any other in-line devices (line amplifiers, splitters, surge protectors, etc.) that you may have connected to the cable to rule out problems there.

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