Aug 17
8
A customer in Blackburn got in touch with us because their Italian satellite TV had started to break up and, in some cases, lose the signal altogether. They’d already tried the usual checks indoors but were still getting picture issues, so they called us to take a proper look.
Initial call-out and inspection
When our engineer arrived, he ran signal checks from the receiver and quickly confirmed that the problem wasn’t just a temporary drop in signal strength – it was coming from outside. On closer inspection of the existing dish, he found two key issues:
- The dish itself was very old and showing signs of rust and weathering.
- The LNB (the part on the arm of the dish that receives the signal) was faulty and no longer performing as it should.
Because the customer was watching Italian TV from satellite, they needed a reliable, clean signal – and the current setup just wasn’t capable of holding it steady anymore.
Recommendation and quotation
Our engineer explained the options clearly on site. Because of the age and condition of the current dish, repairing it wouldn’t have been good value. Instead, he recommended:
- Supplying and fitting a new 60cm satellite dish suitable for receiving Italian channels.
- Replacing the faulty LNB.
- Realigning the dish to the correct satellite position to maximise signal quality.
A full price was given there and then, so the customer knew exactly what the job would cost before we started.
Installation on the day
The customer was happy to go ahead, so we carried out the installation during the same visit. Our apprentice worked on the dish fitting under full supervision from one of our experienced engineers. That way, the customer could see the work being done properly, safely, and to our usual standard.
The new 60cm dish was mounted securely, the LNB was replaced, and the dish was aligned carefully to pull in the strongest possible signal for the Italian satellite service. Once everything was locked off, the engineer went back inside and checked the TV again to confirm the picture was stable.
Result
- Signal restored for Italian TV.
- Cleaner, stronger reception thanks to the new dish and LNB.
- Customer now has a newer, weather-resistant dish instead of the old rusty one.
- Future servicing will be easier because the equipment is up to date.
The customer was especially pleased that we could do it all in one visit – diagnosis, supply, and installation.
Additional services offered
While we were there, we also let the customer know we can help with other TV work around the home, including:
- TV aerial repairs (ideal if Freeview channels start to break up)
- TV wall mounting (perfect for a new or bigger TV that needs setting up properly)
- Cabling and tidy-up work to keep everything neat
Summary
This job is a good example of why satellite faults shouldn’t be ignored. In this case, it looked like “just” a signal problem indoors, but the real cause was outside – an ageing dish and a failed LNB. By replacing the whole dish with a 60cm unit and realigning it properly, we were able to get Italian satellite TV working again in Blackburn with a more reliable setup for the future.
