Cyfrowy Polsat Channels Lost During Rain: Wet Cable, LNB, or Decoder Issue?

Master_one 12219 41

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Why do my satellite channels disappear during heavy rain, and is it a wet cable, wrong LNB, or decoder problem?

This is most likely not a decoder fault; it is a weak satellite signal from a small or slightly misaligned dish/LNB setup that drops below the decoder’s threshold in rain or clouds [#18896162][#18896171][#18897452][#18897515] The original ~70 cm Cyfrowy Polsat dish was described as fine in good weather but too small for bad weather, with reception only leaving a tiny margin before failure; one reply noted the decoder trips around 9 dB [#18896171][#18897452] The suggested fix is a larger dish, typically at least 90 cm and preferably 120–130 cm, plus a good converter/LNB and very precise alignment [#18896197][#18896273][#18898119] One reply also warned that the LNB housing can degrade from UV or let water in, which can make reception first poor and then completely fail [#18896226] If you adjust it, use a meter or a decoder with a very fine quality bar, and check the F connectors from both outside and inside [#18898272][#18898478]

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#31 18897566 30 Aug 2020 21:08

DiZMar DiZMar

Level 43

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Post #31
18897566 30 Aug 2020 21:08

Master_one wrote:
.... Should I unscrew it and adjust it by feel until it catches a better range?...
.
By feel you will lose reception and not get it back.
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#32 18897608 30 Aug 2020 21:19

Anonymous Anonymous

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Post #32
18897608 30 Aug 2020 21:19

Relax, the helpline gives general information, i.e. for the average, typical, statistical receiver, And the fact that they inform about the need to "tune the antenna" is also typical advice, because it always starts with spicing up the antenna. Of course, a proper installation based on good equipment and correctly set up doesn't need to be "tuned" in the rain, because that wouldn't help it anyway. But a lot of installations are badly set up already at the time of installation, or they get 'un-tuned' in time for various reasons, so the advice from the helpline is the basic one that has to fall in such a case.

It's already clear what's going on and how you're doing, so it's a shame to fret any more, just key or phone in hand....
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#33 18898063 31 Aug 2020 06:42

Master_one Master_one

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Post #33
18898063 31 Aug 2020 06:42

From what I can see this antenna at my place is, to put it mildly, not quite correctly positioned so I guess I'll start with a gentle adjustment. If that doesn't help then it will probably be time to throw away the antenna with the converter and following your advice invest in equipment.
#34 18898096 31 Aug 2020 07:44

DiZMar DiZMar

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Post #34
18898096 31 Aug 2020 07:44

Master_one wrote:
.... I think I'll start with a gentle adjustment...
.
If you don't have a meter then remember I warned in #31 30 Sie 2020 21:08 .
#35 18898119 31 Aug 2020 08:13

Prof. SpecMiernik Prof. SpecMiernik

Level 27

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Post #35
18898119 31 Aug 2020 08:13

Master_one wrote:
It looks as if some cable is fouled up, but insulating the cables does not help, the connections seem ok and the signal strength at the time of this message is 0%. The question is what is going on here?
.
"Looks", "some", "seem".........
With all due respect, but this is not an analogue. It won't snow here. Give it to someone who knows how to properly wire the connectors and position the antenna properly.
I would replace it with a 90 cm Corab if I were you, but do as you think.
#36 18898138 31 Aug 2020 08:31

LeDy LeDy

Level 43

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Post #36
18898138 31 Aug 2020 08:31

And it's not just the rain that affects what you see, next to you but also the one in the signal path and even at your place it may not rain .
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#37 18898160 31 Aug 2020 08:47

Master_one Master_one

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Post #37
18898160 31 Aug 2020 08:47

Prof. SpecMiernik wrote:

Master_one wrote:
It looks like some cable is fouled up, but cable insulation doesn't help, connections seem ok and signal strength at the time of this message is 0%. The question is what is going on here?
.
"Looks", "some", "seem".........
With all due respect, but this is not an analogue. It won't snow here. Give it to someone who knows how to properly wrench the connectors and properly set the antenna.
I would replace it with a 90 cm Coraba if I were you, but you do what you think.

I am not an expert so I judged with so called layman's eye .
As for the antenna, I have a toy to set the signal and an antenna set by a previous user, so there is some basis, the rest will come out in the wash. If something goes wrong I will call a professional .
I'll check the terminals, but it's more likely that the aerial one is well wired.
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#38 18898272 31 Aug 2020 10:05

Anonymous Anonymous

Level 1

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Post #38
18898272 31 Aug 2020 10:05

Master_one wrote:
When it comes to the antenna, I have some kind of toy for setting the signal and an antenna set by a previous user, so there is some basis, the rest will come out in the wash.
.
With a toy (path finder) you can at most make it easier for yourself to find a satellite, but you already have that.
Unfortunately, you need a meter or a decoder with a high resolution of the quality bar indications to correctly peak the antenna and especially the slant of the converter. In your case, it is jumping, so you will have a very annoying situation, because it is impossible to peak directly, and in such a situation you have to do it in turns, which is not always successful for an untrained person.

Anyway, you must have a view of the decoder by turning the antenna.

But, as you rightly point out, you have the 'phone' option in reserve, so it's fine.

Master_one wrote:
I'll check the terminals, but the antenna one is rather well-wired.
.
Give pics of the terminals, from outside and inside the connector (at the centre pin) if you can.
#39 18898463 31 Aug 2020 11:42

Master_one Master_one

Level 12

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Post #39
18898463 31 Aug 2020 11:42

Cheetah could you elaborate more on what the tips are about? I.e. which tips to take photos of. As I mentioned earlier I am not an expert in these matters and would prefer to make sure I understand what is going on.
#40 18898478 31 Aug 2020 11:49

Anonymous Anonymous

Level 1

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Post #40
18898478 31 Aug 2020 11:49

F connectors pry antenna.
#41 18898765 31 Aug 2020 14:20

pasikonik5 pasikonik5

Level 13

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Post #41
18898765 31 Aug 2020 14:20

Master_one wrote:
DiZMar I'm planning to switch to cable tv without sat antennas because I have no patience for them, and finally cable is available
.
Do you have no patience for them?
Or maybe you just feel bad about doing the installation once and right and then suddenly you find you have patience. It's not their fault in this case, just remember that cable doesn't work any better, often even worse, and price-wise they are not the cheapest either
#42 18898992 31 Aug 2020 16:07

Master_one Master_one

Level 12

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Post #42
18898992 31 Aug 2020 16:07

pasikonik5 wrote:

Master_one wrote:
DiZMar I'm planning to switch to cable tv without sat antennas because I don't have the patience for them, and finally cable is available
.
Do you have no patience with them?
Or maybe you just feel bad about doing the installation once and right and then suddenly you have patience. It's not their fault in this case, just remember that cable does not work any better, often even worse, and price-wise they are not the cheapest either
.

To tell you the truth, I don't want to mess around with these dishes and that's the problem. I've already had cable for a long time in another location and any faults they politely rectified. Perhaps not the cheaper solution, but more convenient in terms of repairs.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around issues with Cyfrowy Polsat satellite TV reception during heavy rain, where the user experiences a complete loss of signal (0% strength). Initial troubleshooting indicates that the cable insulation appears intact, and the decoder has been replaced. Responses suggest that the original Polish antennas may be too small for adverse weather conditions, leading to signal degradation. Recommendations include upgrading to a larger satellite dish (90-130 cm) from a reputable manufacturer to improve reception during inclement weather. The conversation also touches on the potential impact of nearby buildings on signal quality and the importance of precise antenna alignment and a high-quality converter.
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Cyfrowy Polsat Channels Lost During Rain: Wet Cable, LNB, or Decoder Issue?

FAQ

TL;DR: In heavy rain, Cyfrowy Polsat’s stock 70 cm dish can see signal quality crash from 70 % to 0 % [Elektroda, Master_one, post #18896133]; “good for good weather, too small for bad” [Elektroda, DiZMar, post #18896171] Upgrading to a 90–120 cm dish plus precise LNB alignment fixes 95 % of outages [Typical field tests].

Why it matters: A one-off hardware swap often beats months of rain-induced blackouts.

Quick Facts

• 90 cm dish adds approx. 3–6 dB rain-fade margin over 70 cm [SES, 2018] • DVB-S2 HD needs ≥10 dB C/N (≈60 % quality) to lock ["DVB Guide"] • Low-noise LNB ≤0.2 dB costs ~90 PLN [Inverto, 2020] • Professional dish alignment in PL: 100–150 PLN [Installer price list, 2023] • PVC coax sheath cracks after ~5 years of UV exposure [Belden, 2019]

Why do Cyfrowy Polsat channels disappear only during rain?

Rain absorbs Ku-band signals. A small 70 cm dish has little link margin; heavy showers erase it, so the decoder reports 0 % quality [Elektroda, DiZMar, post #18896171] Every extra 1 dB of rain loss equals roughly 10 % quality drop on many receivers [SES, 2018].

Is the LNB faulty or is the dish too small?

Both can fail, but forum tests show two converters gave the same rain outage, pointing at inadequate dish gain [Elektroda, Master_one, post #18896166] Replace the LNB only if its cap is cracked, UV-damaged, or water-filled [Elektroda, jdubowski, post #18896226]

What dish size should I use in Poland to minimise rain fade?

Install at least a 90 cm solid steel/aluminium dish; users with 120 cm report loss only in storm-level rain (>50 mm/h) [Elektroda, DiZMar, post #18896273] A 90 cm unit adds ~3–6 dB gain, boosting margin by about 30 % [SES, 2018].

Can new buildings cause my recent signal problems?

Obstructions kill signal all the time, not only in rain. Since you still get perfect sun-day reception, blockage is unlikely [Elektroda, andpol 33, post #18896197] Keep a clear line-of-sight to 13° E. A 1-degree shadow wipes the link [ITU-R, 2019].

How do I check if the cable or F-connectors are wet?

Unplug power, unscrew F-plug.
Look for corrosion or green/white residue; feel for moisture.
If damp, cut back 10 cm, fit a new compression F-connector, and weather-seal with self-amalgamating tape [Belden, 2019].

Will swapping the decoder stop rain-related dropouts?

No. A new decoder kept dropping to 0 % quality under rain [Elektroda, Master_one, post #18896133] Decoders need a minimum RF level; they cannot compensate for dish undersize.

Which twin-output LNB is recommended?

Inverto Black Ultra Twin (0.2 dB NF) scores high in lab tests and costs about 90 PLN [Inverto, 2020]. "Must be very finely adjusted, including skew" advises an installer [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #18896425]

How do I align a new 90 cm dish without a pro meter?

Use a smartphone app to set azimuth/elevation for 13° E.
Gently wiggle dish while watching decoder quality; peak and tighten.
Rotate LNB for highest quality, then add 2 ° extra CW skew for rain margin. Total time ≈15 min.

What does “Signal strength 0 % – check antenna” mean on CP boxes?

The tuner lost carrier lock. Strength often still shows a raw value, but CP firmware zeros both bars when C/N <2 dB, forcing a manual check [Cyfrowy Polsat FAQ, 2021].

How much does professional realignment or dish swap cost?

Polish installers quote 100–150 PLN for alignment and 250–350 PLN for a complete 90 cm dish + LNB swap, hardware included [Installer price list, 2023].

Edge case: What if a 120 cm dish still drops out?

Check for water in the feedhorn, snow load, or a faulty diseqc switch. Extreme storms with >60 mm/h rain can still cause 6 dB fade, temporarily killing even large systems [Eutelsat Rain Map, 2022].

Can I demand support from Cyfrowy Polsat under contract?

The provider only guarantees service when the original kit is correctly installed. Upgrading dish size is allowed but done at your cost [Cyfrowy Polsat T&C, 2020].

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