Question:
Had sky+ installed today, with intention of putting the old box in kids playroom. How do I wire this up? The sky man was in a rush and said something about it being really easy, just need some coax cable and that my other half could do it no problem. Now he doesn't know my OH, but let's just say that I am more techie minded than him and I haven't got the first clue what to do!!
Any help (not worded too technically!) very gratefully received
Answers:
OK - it is easy.....
You need 2 f-plugs, some self-amalgamating tape and a length of double-screened satellite grade coax cable preferably copper foil.
You'll find the f-plugs and the cable at B&Q or similar places - do not get regular low-loss coax, it's not the same.
tells you how to put the plug on and waterproof it - vitally important not to let in the wet.
Basically all you have to do is put the plug on to one of the unused outputs - then waterproof the joint outside, clip the cable or otherwise support it and run the cable to the box - make a similar end indoors and voila! Just be careful not to move the arm on the dish or the dish itself....
The fun is winding the SA tape whilst perched up a ladder..... the rubber boots as sold by SatCure are probably a better bet actually.
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, thanks hunnymonster but that doesn't sound that easy to me (being a fairly hopeless female) - is it something that I could get a sky engineer out to do, or is that breaking the rules as I'm not paying a subscription - or will I end up paying through the nose. Perhaps a non sky aerial type installer person would do it. Any suggestions? Wish my OH was a bit handier!!
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If you can twist the plugs on it's easy - the hard bit is lining up the dish initially (and even that can be done in seconds if you're used to it or have beginners luck).
Local aerial dude can probably do it - but make sure you specify CT100-type cable (copper foil, not aluminium foil) and if necessary look at the cable before he fits it.....
You're doing nothing wrong - this is called "Freesat from Sky", self supplied so you can buy the card for £20 and your son will get C4/five and the right BBC/ITV variants.
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Been reading it again and maybe we could have a bash, but we are pretty useless at stuff like this - would probably end up losing the signal altogether! Don't suppose it's possible to buy the cable with the plugs on already from anywhere?
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Been reading it again and maybe we could have a bash, but we are pretty useless at stuff like this - would probably end up losing the signal altogether! Don't suppose it's possible to buy the cable with the plugs on already from anywhere?
It is - but then how are you going to get it into the house without leaving a larger hole.... The Satcure page I linked to above with the rubber boot on has a selection of cable/f-connector combos you could buy all in the one place.....
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Have decided to have a go. Contacted satcure to find out if they can put the rubber boot and f connector on the outdoor end, but leave the indoor end for me to do and they are getting back to me. Take it that the rubber boot/silicone greasing bit isn't needed for the indoor end?
Also, you mention about lining up the dish. How do we do this? Isn't it all set up for the sky+ box, so wouldn't it work already - if I start messing about with it, don't I run the risk of losing the sky+ box signal?
Answers:
Nope - you don't need to waterproof the inside connection (unless it rains inside your house - in which case I'd be scared )
I mentioned the lining up the dish only because it's the 'hard bit' in your case it's already done - just make sure you don't knock it when you're putting the new line in.
Answers:
Nope - you don't need to waterproof the inside connection (unless it rains inside your house - in which case I'd be scared )
I mentioned the lining up the dish only because it's the 'hard bit' in your case it's already done - just make sure you don't knock it when you're putting the new line in.
Nice one. Just had a look at the connections on the dish, the sky engineer doesn't seem to have used any tape or anything to waterproof the existing cables, should I be concerned? Or do they use some special cabling that doesn't need it
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Hmmmm - tricky - if the LNB has a slide down shield that covers the plugs in the bottom then technically the answer is no because the slide down shield acts as the weathershield, however received wisdom is that any joint outside ought to be weatherproofed or it'll lead to a breakdown later.
I'm only aware of one type of plug that doesn't require additional weatherproofing and I haven't seen any used in the UK except where I've used them myself.
Not quite so important if you've installed your own - just shin up the ladder and replace - if you're relying on a 3rd party then you'll need to call them out and Sky charge £65 for a call out (maybe more for Sky+).
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Have you used these rubber boots hunnymonster, do you put it on at the end after the f connector is attached to the cable? Can't see too much on the satcure website about fitting the boots. From the picture I would have thought that the f connector would be too big to pass through
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Have you used these rubber boots hunnymonster, do you put it on at the end after the f connector is attached to the cable? Can't see too much on the satcure website about fitting the boots. From the picture I would have thought that the f connector would be too big to pass through
Haven't read the whole thread but the boot would be slid onto the cable before the F-type is fitted and then the boot slid over the connector when fitted.
see
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Haven't read the whole thread but the boot would be slid onto the cable before the F-type is fitted and then the boot slid over the connector when fitted
Exactly - you put the boot on first. Or if you're me, you put the plug on climb up the ladder, realise and have to climb back down again to do it properly
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Haven't read the whole thread but the boot would be slid onto the cable before the F-type is fitted and then the boot slid over the connector when fitted.
see
Thanks espresso, that was what I thought.
I was just placing my order on satcure and ticked for f connectors to be attached to both ends and then spotted that it says Note: if you order a rubber boot with a pre-made cable the boot will be supplied separately. What good is that then if you can't then get it on the cable?! Or am I misunderstanding?
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The connectors are just twisted on - easy job to remove, fit boot and replace..... seriously - I'm sure even my mum could fit one.
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The connectors are just twisted on - easy job to remove, fit boot and replace..... seriously - I'm sure even my mum could fit one.
Excellent, then hopefully I should be ok!
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Excellent, then hopefully I should be ok!
As I said above (somewhere) as long as you can make a twisting motion you can (remove and re)fit these plugs.
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As I said above (somewhere) as long as you can make a twisting motion you can (remove and re)fit these plugs.
T'is true, my satcure order has arrived and I can twist the plug off very easily! However, they did fit the boot for me anyway as I put a little note in the box asking them to do so. Very efficient service from them I must say.
Now to persuade DH to climb up on top of the conservatory and plug it in for me - not something I think I should really be attempting myself at 39 weeks pregnant!
Thanks for the advice
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Good luck in both endeavours!