Hi

I've got a foxsat hdr, which I've had for over a year. i've noticed in the last few months we get regular picture break ups (irrespective of channel) leading to 'no signal' errors. We live in Harrogate, around 15 miles North of Leeds.

Normally both LNBs report over 90% on signal and quality. When the breakup happens it drops and moves back up again very quickly.

It happens irrespective of time of day or weather. I've had the signal checked by a satellite engineer and he thinks the signal fine.

Firmware/loader are on most recent versions. Happens irrespective of whether I'm recording or not.

Loath to buy another box ... but running out of options and ideas.

Any suggestions appreciated. I've emailed humax support - but no response.

My guess would be some sort of local interference, Faulty Thermostat maybe.

Several possibilities - To start with I would check the F connectors are well fitted at the LNB and Box ends. Is the LNB the same age as the HDR?
Where are you seeing information for both tuners - In Setup > Diag.? [I think the I-Plate shows strength then quality]
How regular are the break-ups?

Sorry Graham,
did not see your reply Cat distracted me. How regular are the break-ups?

Thanks for the quick response.

Thermostat is in the same room - but several metres away and wireless.

I have a wireless router nearby - but have also powered that off. It doesn't impact the problem either way.

LNB was installed same time as the humax - albeit on an old dish (by an engineer)


I've checked both on the iplate and settings/diag - and all readings (normally) over 90%

Can't say for sure when the interference starts since I'm normally one watching in the evening! However, at home currently, have it on (switched between BBC1, ITV HD and channel 4 +1) and not seeing any issues.

They are invariably problems from 1900 till late every evening.

Street lighting and car radar speed camera detectors can also interfere with signals - is a neighbour with one coming home, parking and leaving it switched on at that time.

Afraid not ... I live in quite a rural area. only 2 neighbours - both over 25 metres (and foot thick walls) away.

It does indeed sound like local interference - you said last few months? heating perhaps - You mention 19:00 - You may get clues if you note the exact time it starts, if it's weekdays only or every day, etc.
Good Luck in tracking it down.

any ideas for dealing with interference? Does the box need some sort of shielding?

Some form of Faraday cage springs to mind but would seem to be a bit excessive.

are these things Humax specific or potentially any box?

I might get a couple of extension cables (satellite and hdmi) and move the box to see if it helps.

It's likely any box will be the same. Try winding the thermostat up and down to see if it's repeatable.

The fact that it's a wireless thermostat rather than hard wired might be a clue.

Note there is a known disturbance in the picture on some BBC channels at around 7pm. This happens when the part time BBC channels switch over. It affects all other transmissions on either of the two transponders.

I moved the wireless thermostat a couple of roms away ... and also a couple of wireless telephones next door further away.

Seemed to have a decent picture last night. Will leave for a few more days then re-introduce .

Thanks for the tips everyone.

Looking at where you live I wonder if Menwith Hill is still operational and whether that might be the source of the interference. Ask about in the local community / pub and see if anyone else is having problems.