Poor signal

[Knarky]

Hi my Sky Digital signal strength has dropped recently and loads of channels are breaking up and pixelating. The signal strength is now very low i.e. less than 25 percent generally and is constantly fluctuating rather than a stable strength. The problem started off with a load of the cartoon channels on the kids mix but has worsened gradually over time and is now starting to impact some of the channels I watch regularly. Initially the problems occured during heavy rain, but now the issue is constant. There are no trees or other obstructions in the way and I've attempted the LNB reset etc... Despite this the problem is not being resolved. Could it be that because I unplug my sky box at night that appropriate downloads have not been received, or is it likely to be another issue to do with rain and water damage? All the main channels are working properly accept C4 and Sky News (Sky News being one of the most recent problems). The problem does not seem consistent though i.e. UKTV Docs doesn't work properly, but UKTV Docs + 1 does. This occurs with a lot of channels. Any thoughts other than begrudingly paying Sky to send an engineer out?

[Tesla]

Perhaps call a local independent as apposed to Sky? It's usually cheaper and a better service. I think Sky charge a flat rate of £60-£70. Most Sky repairs do not cost my customers this much as it's a case of replacing a cable or re-aligning the dish. The only thing I struggle to compete with Sky on price is replacing the set top box.

It could be a whole range of problems but with the correct tools the issue can be pin pointed correctly.

As you say you have tested out the usual stuff I imagine it's an alignment or hardware fault.

[Knarky]

ok thanks, I'll make a few calls.

[davemurgatroyd2]

Is it a Grundig box by any chance?

[Knarky]

It is a grundig box...

[SamRadford]

Ah, typical Grundig fault. Easy to fix if you can solder:
http://www.satcure.com/gds200.htm