Problems moving Sky Box and wire

[Paul Funnell]

Afternoon,

I'm a complete novice and have enough basic knowledge to be able to rewire a plug and the odd central heating component (being a plumber I need know no more). I say this so you know my level of capability.

I want to move my Sky box from one end of my lounge to the other (a total of 10 metres). With the current cable from the dish being too short I bought an F connector socket to socket and enough WF100 cable to suit. Problem is when I take my cable out the Sky box, add the additional wire via the coupler I completely lose any signal. I've tried a new coupler too just incase I got a random iffy one but to no avail.

A phone call to the wonderful Sky tell me that I'll need an engineer to come out. Before I pay the extortionate fee does anyone have any ideas so I can try and solve this myself??

Thanks

 

[accordfire]

Sounds like a cable fault - probably the core is shorting to the braid.

With a basic test meter on resistance or continuity, check your "additional" lead, core to core, and sheath to sheath, make sure you have continuity. Then check core to sheath, and make sure there's no reading - e.g. open circuit.

Finally, check you have enough "core" extended within the F plug to make contact with the box.

 

[linfield-sparky]

The dish could need retuned and positioned exactly as to pick up the satellite signal.

 

[Paul Funnell]

It's not a faulty cable, but when you state I need "enough core" extending out the f plug, whomever has done it has left only 1.5mm extended out. I'm presuming this is sufficient enough to cause fault since my original cable had 4mm and works fine.

Would it be a quick job for someone with a bit more know-how to sort out??

Finally, check you have enough "core" extended within the F plug to make contact with the box.

 

[telectrix]

you need enough of the centre core protruding to connect with the socket in back of the sky box. whereabouts are you. one of us may be near to you.

 

[accordfire]

It's not a faulty cable, but when you state I need "enough core" extending out the f plug, whomever has done it has left only 1.5mm extended out. I'm presuming this is sufficient enough to cause fault since my original cable had 4mm and works fine.

Would it be a quick job for someone with a bit more know-how to sort out??

Assuming they're screw on F-Plugs and not crimped, you can do it yourself with a bit of care - and a sharp knife.....

Simply unscrew the F-Plug, then strip back the outer sheath being careful not to cut the braid..... then cut back the braid and inner sheath so you have a progressively stripped co-ax - about 1cm total of braid and inner sheath, with the inner core being around another 5mm or so - it's not difficult.

 

[Paul Funnell]

Im in Chatham if anyone can help. Not sure my limited ability would stretch to be able to doing that properly!!

 

[Johnuk]

yea make sure the out copper is not touching the inner core

 

[dan86]

Did you get it sorted paul?

 

[Paul Funnell]

Did you get it sorted paul?

No Dan, still not sorted unfortunately. I need to find someone who can help with the right tools and know-how to strip the wire back properly.

 

[dan86]

are there no decent YouTube vids to show how to do it?
it's really not difficult, especially if you use the screw on connectors.
that said, it's easy if you know how I guess...

 

[Paul Funnell]

are there no decent YouTube vids to show how to do it?
it's really not difficult, especially if you use the screw on connectors.
that said, it's easy if you know how I guess...

Dan, thanks for your final hint. I thought it might have been more involved than it was. Have just been on youtube, and solved it within 3 minutes!! I didn't realise they were screw on connectors, I thought they were crimped!!

How to wire an F connector - YouTube

 

[dan86]

Dan, thanks for your final hint. I thought it might have been more involved than it was. Have just been on youtube, and solved it within 3 minutes!! I didn't realise they were screw on connectors, I thought they were crimped!!

How to wire an F connector - YouTube

feel free to thank my post