[sjw1986]

Hi,

I'm just about to add some extra TV sockets at my house.

Someone in another thread suggested I use a masthead amplifier.

A few weeks ago I bought some Commtel coaxial cable in anticipation of this job - Commtel - Coaxial & Satellite Cable

Is it possible to use satellite cable (also shown in that link above) for this task? And would that give a better signal?

Also, when someone says 'WF100', is this a type of satellite cable?

Thanks

[grahamlthompson]

WF100 is dual screened sat grade 75ohm cable. It's ideal for all TV installations especially for pre-dso freeview making the most of the the low power transmissions and it's better screening helps keep noise out of the system. PF100 is a very similar spec from a different maker.

[sjw1986]

Thanks grahamlthompson - looks like you're the resident boffin round here!

[Tony V]

I've just found out that the flat I live in actually has a communal satellite dish that I wasn't aware of! Since my Panasonic LCD is "Freesat" enabled, I've plugged it in, only to find that although most of the main channels "work", the signal is pretty low on some, so I can't watch them because it's just a lot of pixelation.

I'm trying to find out what's causing this, one thing at a time, so I'm starting with the cable from the TV to the wall socket. The satellite dish was here before I moved in, so I've not been able to find out if the dish is out of alignment, or the outside cable is at fault. Like I said, one thing at a time!

I'm confused because I keep hearing that this WF100 cable is the best for satellite, but is that only from the LNB on the dish to the socket? I'm already using an "RG6" cable, that was already there to connect the TV, although I found it had the F type connectors under coaxial adapters, so since I haven't been able to get another cable yet, it does as a satellite cable for now, as it at least shows that the Freesat tuner in my TV actually works with the dish (even if it's not the best picture quality).

I'm getting conflicting reports on whether RG6 or RG59 cables are better for what I require. I need a shorter cable anyway as my TV is within a metre of the dish connector box, and I want to minimize interference, by only having a cable that is long enough, and not "coiled up" at the back of the TV as the RG6 cable is now.

So what I'm asking is, which type of connector cable should I go for, the RG6 or the RG59, or is it actually possible to use this WF100 cable from the box to the TV?

Please excuse my ignorance. I've only had satellite for a couple of days, so I'm brand new to this stuff and I need help!!

I don't want to buy a relatively cheap cable and find I've got the wrong thing. I'd rather pay more, and get the best shielded cable I can afford that's going to give me the least interference, and hopefully give me a better (and hopefully stronger) signal, so I can actually receive all the channels to see which ones are worth actually watching! Thanks.

[fernandez]

You could either make your own lead of the required length using good quality WF/PF100 cable or buy a ready made cable such as F and TV plugs and leads connectors.

Hopefully a decent lead will cure things but........

Have you checked with others using the same communal dish if they have problems with some channels?
Which channels are affected?
Is there a DECT phone or ADSL router near the TV as these are known to cause problems on some channels e.g. Movies4Men/Scuzz (and other music channels)? If so switch these devices off and see if the problem disappears.

It may help to have a look in the Freesat section (which is what this question now concerns)

[Tight Git]

By all means have a go yourself (as suggested above) but the bottom line with a Communal System is that there should be a maintenance company that is responsible for its correct operation.

If the flat is rented, approach your Landlord; if you own it, is there a residents agreement?

Good luck.

[Tony V]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Actually I've just found a place that can make a custom 1 metre cable made from the WF100 cable, so I've ordered one. I'm hoping that will help.

If it doesn't, I'll at least know it's not the cable between the TV and the box, so that's one less thing to think about.

Actually, I've already checked the router and the dect phone, The router doesn't seem to make any difference, but the dect phone when unplugged, made several of the channels at least watchable with a signal strength of 50% and the same for quality (these are the channels in the 500 range, like NME).

I still think the signal is too low, however considering the main channels (BBC, ITV, 4,5, including the HD channels) are all at least at 70% for strength, and 70-80% for quality (I'm assuming this is not normal for it to vary so much!)

However, the reception changes, depending on the time of day. With the dect phone turned off, I could watch these channels mid afternoon, yet come the evening, it didn't make any difference, they were all pixelated (still, with the dect phone disconnected), and unwatchable! Maybe these channels aren't worth watching anyway, but I'd like a signal strength and quality good enough for me to be able to make up my own mind!

Anyway, thanks for your help. I'll try the cable first and hopefully that will improve things. If not, I'll definitely know it's an "outside" problem, and get the landlord involved. They are supposed to look after these things, it's part of the tennancy agreement.

I'd just rather not call them out until absolutely necessary, because they say if it's "your" AV equipment causing the problem, you'll get charged for the call out! It's an expense I could do without! If I have any more problems after this I'll post in the Freesat section.

[turbostar61]

[maplins] fly lead is what you want i use them.