I have a Thomson Model 122047 sky "Pay once watch forever" box. Version 4E0904. Operating System Version 1. 2S4FJ. EPG Software Version 3. 7. 6 . It has been installed for 14 or so months. It has never been totally satisfactory but just about acceptable because I naively thought the message "No satellite signal is being received" was because of adverse weather conditions. Unfortunately it has become more frequent and at least one (EWTN) of the channels which I got the system to receive shows this message permanently now. Virgin cable doesn't seem to air any of the Christian and Religious channels or I would consign Sky to the outer darkness and let them gnash thier teeth. As a pensioner, I am reluctant (cannot afford) to pay £65 for an engineers visit when the whole installation only cost £75. Can anyone help with ideas and instructions of how to resolve this problem. I can locate lots of information about Sky+ and HD boxes but nothing about this more basic box. Many thanks in anticipation.

Peter, October 2009

hi im having a similar problem with my satalite reception im using the same equipmement ,im receiving a few of my channels but have poor reception other channels work fine i have tried to move the dish slighty but that didnt make any difference ,do you have any advice how to restore my reception ,my signal strenght is good according to my bow but the picture breaks up to a point of being unable to watch the channel .please help im going out my mind many thanks

j. burbury, January 2010

Thanks Guys for that info. I have suceeded in getting some reception back by (Disconnecting at mains. Pressing Backup on the Box whilst reconnecting the mains). This has given signal strength of the order of 90% and Quality about 75%. I still cannot understand why still I get "No satellite signal being received" on the very channels I use most? In my naivity I think I should get the same power and quality on all channels? Any other suggestions short of planting a bomb in the boardroom of Sky whilst the Directors have their meetings? (Tongue in Cheek). It might improve their reception somewhere?

Peter, October 2009

Contrary to the previous answer, satellite signals ARE adversely affected by the weather. Very heavy cloud cover and especially rain can cause exactly your problem if the signal is marginal, for example due to a badly aligned dish. Trees and other semi-solid and solid objects in the way will also block the signal.

It sound to me as though your dish may not have been aligned very well from day one.

As it has been problem from day one you MAY be able to get Sky to rectify it for free but they only have your word that it has never performed satisfactorily. You would have had a claim under Supply Of Goods and Services Act but under the Act, you have to report a fault as soon as possible - which you have not done.

I can only suggest that you call a local independent Aerial Installer and get a quote for realigning you dish.

T, October 2009

I don't think the weather affects satellite dish reception very much - if the dish is pointing at the right place in the sky and nobody's propped a ladder against it then you should get a very similar signal all the time - if your equipment tells you there's no satellite signal the chances are that one of the cable connectors is not making good contact - a defective connector on a signal cable will make the equipment behave as if there were no satellite signal - manly because there is no signal...

Check connectors before spending any money...

Peccavi, October 2009