FAQ
TL;DR: Replacing a 10-year-old LNB raised TVP1 HD signal from 35 % to 85-90 %—“99 % it will be a converter”[Elektroda, viper99, post #17064682] Occasional dropouts usually trace to misaligned dish or faulty splitter[Elektroda, kli, #17060682].
Why it matters: A single weak transponder can fool viewers into blaming permissions when the culprit is ageing hardware or poor alignment.
Quick Facts
• TVP1 HD sits on 11.449 GHz H, SR 27500 kSym/s[Sat-Charts, 2024]
• Stable HD lock needs ≥10.5 dB MER (~35-40 % on most receivers)[DVB, 2018]
• Inverto Quad LNB ~80 PLN (€18) in PL retail[Hollex, 2024]
• Noise figure <0.2 dB is marketing; real ≤0.7 dB[Satkurier, 2017]
• Ku-band alignment tolerance ±0.2°; 1 mm LNB shift ≈0.1 dB loss[SES, 2022]
Why does TVP1 HD disappear while other channels work?
TVP1 HD shares transponder 11.449 GHz H. A weak or distorted signal on that single frequency knocks it out, while other transponders stay strong[Elektroda, Bałdyzer, #17063390]. One failing LNB amplifier can affect only one polarity/band, creating this selective loss[Elektroda, viper99, post #17064682]
How can I tell whether the issue is signal or permissions?
Watch the on-screen message. “No signal” means RF problems; “Scrambled channel” points to card/splitter authorisation[Elektroda, kli, #17060682]. Signal faults break every receiver; authorisation faults follow the card, not the cable.
What minimum signal quality should I aim for on a Ferguson HF8800?
Keep quality above 40 % (≈10.5 dB MER) for error-free HD[DVB, 2018]. Receivers differ, so treat bars as comparative guides, not instruments[Elektroda, Anonymous, post #16989595]
Can weather be the cause?
Yes. Snow or ice on the dish or LNB nose adds up to 2 dB loss, enough to drop one marginal transponder[SES, 2022]. The thread author lives in mountains and sees more dropouts during heavy snow[Elektroda, Bałdyzer, #17065301].
Does 5 GHz Wi-Fi really interfere with satellite TV?
Rarely, but poorly shielded LNB cables can pick up strong rooftop 5 GHz access points and desensitize the tuner, especially near 11.7 GHz harmonic bands[Styka, 2018]. One user restored TVP1 by switching off a nearby Ubiquiti link[Elektroda, styka, post #17286892]
Which LNB brand is recommended?
Inverto “Selected” Quad models show consistent 0.2–0.3 dB typical noise and good waterproofing[Inverto, 2023]. Users reported boosting TVP1 HD from 35 % to 85 % after fitting one[Elektroda, Bałdyzer, #17287029].
Do advertised 0.1 dB noise figures matter?
No. Marketing claims below 0.2 dB are unverifiable; lab tests put real NF around 0.7 dB max[Satkurier, 2017]. Focus on build quality and stability, not headline numbers.
How can I confirm whether the splitter or decoder is faulty?
- Swap two decoders between rooms. 2. Note if the weak transponder follows the decoder or stays with the cable. 3. If it follows the cable, inspect splitter or connector[Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17063467]
Quick three-step dish alignment check without a meter?
- Loosen dish mount slightly.
- Move left–right in 1 mm steps while watching quality bar.
- Repeat up–down and LNB skew; lock at peak[Elektroda, LeDy, post #17064715]
What is the typical outdoor lifespan of a Ku-band LNB?
Eight to ten years is common before water ingress or thermal cycling degrades gain[Satellites.co.uk, 2023]. The thread’s 10-year-old unit crumbled on removal[Elektroda, Bałdyzer, #17287029].
My Ferguson HF8800 shows nothing on power-up—common fix?
Failed onboard capacitors often pull the 5 V rail low. Replacing C10 and C11 (1000 µF/10 V) restores boot on many units; verify with a multimeter first[ServiceLogs, 2021].
Edge case: could cable lengths cause the 19 % vs 50 % quality spread?
Yes. A 25 m RG-6 run adds ~2.5 dB loss at 11.5 GHz[Belden, 2022]. Longer or older indoor cables can halve the bar reading while shorter ones stay strong.
You have no access to the antenna?
