Life Expectancy of LNBF

sahong · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 12:58 AM

Hi All,

For the past 3 years, I have been getting strong signal on my Fortec Star FTA System for my IA-5 broadcasts. However, now, all of the broadcasts are skipping, and I can only get 1 radio station in my favorites.

After diagnosing everything, I think it's my lnbf as nothing else has changed. I am just curious, what is the life expectancy of a Fortec Star Universal Single Ku 0.4 dB LNBF? I would think it's more than 3 years right?

rainman · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 06:54 AM

electronic parts can fail at any time.I would make sure all conections are tight and water proof first.then check and make sure your dish have not moved out of adjustment.my lnb's on my c band dish are 10 years old and still work but are starting to get weak.

wejones · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 07:41 AM

I've had LNBs last for 10 yrs and had them last for only 1 month, but I've never had an lnb "get weak". The ones I've had go bad (1) suddenly changed LO freq by 20 MHz, (2) died completely (3) developed birdie freqs that would wipe out reception at certain temps. I'd suspect the moisture or alignment issues mentioned by Rainman. Try substituting coax with a short temporary section to rule out bad coax. Also, I assume this is obvious, but there haven't been any trees growing limbs above your dish, blocking your signal have there? I know that the trees have been closing in around my dishes, some from above, and offset dishes aim higher than they appear to be aimed, so you might think you have a clear view when you don't.

sahong · #4 (**permalink**) 08-16-2006, 02:14 AM

Thanks for your suggestions gentlemen. I've double checked my wirings and for any trees.

Thewierd thing with my situation is that some channels come in crytal clear on IA5 whereas some channels don't come in at all. For example, Russia Today is crystal clear, whereas JSTV does not come in at all. So I was thinking that my KU LNBF was the culprit. I will reseach again as time allows.

sahong · #5 (**permalink**) 08-16-2006, 02:54 AM

Since I get some transponders better than others, do you think upgrading from 0.4 db to 0.3 db LNBF will help?

rainman · #6 (**permalink**) 08-16-2006, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sahong

Thanks for your suggestions gentlemen. I've double checked my wirings and for any trees.

Thewierd thing with my situation is that some channels come in crytal clear on IA5 whereas some channels don't come in at all. For example, Russia Today is crystal clear, whereas JSTV does not come in at all. So I was thinking that my KU LNBF was the culprit. I will reseach again as time allows.

the polarity of the 2 channels are different one is vert the other is horizontal. check to see if all the channels you are having problems is vertical if so you may have a problem with receiver or the lnb.

boroda1 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-16-2006, 02:05 PM

I have a similar problem with my Dish LNB pointed at 148: their even transponders have "Left" polarity and I cannot get a signal on any of them (I need tp 14 for my sub). But all the odd transponders with "Right" polarity show signal.