FAQ
TL;DR: In 2017, one user’s Sagemcom WHD 80 showed “No signal,” and an expert warned: “If the antenna is set incorrectly, no signal will catch you.” A technician alignment solved it. [Elektroda, niewolno2, post #16742295]
Why it matters: This FAQ helps Sagemcom WHD 80 owners fix zero-signal errors fast, especially after DIY dish moves or new installs.
Quick Facts
- Symptom: “No signal at the SAT input,” bars stay at 0% on WHD 80. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #16739603]
- Correct aim is roughly south for the described Orange setup; east was wrong. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #16739957]
- Cable faults (e.g., F-connector short) can also block lock. [Elektroda, Pedros050, post #16739628]
- Final fix reported: one technician visit restored reception. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #18664280]
- Misalignment, not a new decoder fault, was the primary cause. [Elektroda, niewolno2, post #16742295]
How do I fix “No signal at the SAT input” on a Sagemcom WHD 80?
Start with alignment. Point the dish roughly south, then adjust elevation and skew in small steps. Verify F-connectors are clean and not shorted. Power-cycle the decoder after each move. If bars stay at 0%, call a technician for precise aiming. “If the antenna is set incorrectly, no signal will catch you.” [Elektroda, niewolno2, post #16742295]
Should my satellite dish face east or south for Orange TV in this scenario?
Face it roughly south. The original poster corrected from east to south and pursued professional alignment. East produced no detectable signal in their case. South restored the path to the intended satellite arc after proper tweaking. This directionality change eliminated the zero-strength reading. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #16739957]
Could a brand-new decoder be faulty if the signal reads 0%?
It is unlikely here. Forum guidance focused on misalignment and wiring rather than decoder failure. Users emphasized that incorrect aiming yields no lock, even with new hardware. Rule out dish aim and cable shorts before suspecting the set-top box. [Elektroda, niewolno2, post #16742295]
What quick checks should I do on the antenna cable?
Inspect both F-connectors for stray braid touching the center pin. Confirm snug connections at the LNB and decoder. A shorted or poorly crimped connector can keep signal and quality at zero. Replace damaged ends and retest. [Elektroda, Pedros050, post #16739628]
What is an LNB (also called a converter) in this setup?
The LNB, called a converter in the thread, sits at the dish focus and feeds the coax to your decoder. If alignment and cabling are correct yet you still see 0%, swap the LNB to test. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #16742288]
Is “spinning the dish” randomly a good idea to find signal?
No. Expert advice: random turning “cannot do anything.” Use controlled, small adjustments in the correct quadrant instead. Aim methodically or book a technician to avoid endless zero-signal readings. [Elektroda, niewolno2, post #16739617]
What finally resolved the zero-signal problem in the thread?
A professional installer aligned the dish. After proper mounting and aim, the system locked and worked as expected. One technician visit closed the issue and restored viewing. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #18664280]
Can poor mounting hardware cause installers to refuse the job?
Yes. The Orange team declined because the dish was fixed on top dowels. Unstable mounts limit safe, precise alignment and service. Correct the mounting and rebook alignment if refused. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #16742288]
Is there a fast 3‑step method to peak the dish before I call someone?
- Rotate azimuth slowly around the correct south bearing while watching bars.
- Nudge elevation a few millimeters, wait for lock feedback.
- Twist LNB skew slightly, then tighten all bolts and recheck.
“Set correctly” is crucial. [Elektroda, niewolno2, post #16739617]
What does a persistent 0% strength and quality indicate?
It signals no satellite lock. Common causes include wrong azimuth, incorrect elevation, bad skew, or a shorted connector. This thread’s case showed 0% until a pro aligned the dish. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #16739603]
How soon should I call a technician if DIY aiming fails?
Call after basic checks if bars remain at 0%. One user scheduled service the same day and later confirmed success post-alignment. Avoid wasting time with random adjustments. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #18664280]
An installer told me I “won’t set it on this decoder.” What does that mean?
They mean the decoder’s meter is insufficient for rough installs and precise tools are needed. Quote: “you’ll have to call it because you will not set it on this decoder.” [Elektroda, andpol 33, post #16739774]
Edge case: Could the dish be aimed perfectly yet still show 0%?
Yes, if the F-connector is shorted or the LNB is dead. The thread specifically raised cable shorts, which completely block lock. Test with a known-good cable or LNB. [Elektroda, Pedros050, post #16739628]
What size dish was used in the reported case, and did it matter?
An 80 cm dish was used. Size was adequate; the failure came from direction and mounting. After proper alignment, reception worked without changing dish size. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #16739603]
Statistic: How often did random adjustments help in this thread?
Zero times. Repeated random repositioning never produced a signal bar. Only structured alignment by a technician resolved the issue. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #18664280]
What should I tell support when booking service?
Explain the “No signal” message, mention any east/south confusion, and note mount stability issues. Request dish alignment and connector inspection on arrival. [Elektroda, flegma2010, post #16742288]
