Does an LNB degrade over time?

[norton850]

Hello Friends,

I have an Echostar DSB-808 2Ci Viaccess with a 90cm dish and universal LNB, which I bought as a package about 10 years ago.
It was installed by a local satellite gear retailer.
The dish and LNB is of unknown make.
In the early years, I could get sats from 45E to 45W with a good reception.
Recently (within the past couple of years), I have been unable to get sats east of 28E, but I can still get sats upto 45W.
I have also noticed that the reception from sats like 1W & 5E has been getting poor.
Is it possible that the LNB will degrade over time, or is that it either works or not and nothing in between?
I have washed the dish & LNB with warm soapy water but it makes no difference.
It may be that I need to check the dish setup, but I will probably wait until the weather gets a little warmer.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

Many thanks,
norton850
location: Swindon, Wilts.

[Giga]

Electronics, I guess you get some material wear due to the weather conditions. If you have a friend that has a Technomate 6(8/9)00 HD super you could measure the lnb? I guess you would first have loss in the high frequencies.
But as you said check the dish alignment or check for motor wear (gears).
Check also the receiver so you have the latest transponders and the correct symbol rates and FEC, these change to from time to time.
Universal LNB's are not that expensive these days.

[norton850]

Hello giga,

Yes, all frequencies, etc are up-to-date, per lyngsat.
I will drag the ladders out when it gets a little warmer.

Thanks,
norton850

[RABBY]

LNB ??? That is your problem m8:respect-055:

[RABBY]

Maybe your cable as well m8? 10 YEARS [ Maybe water in it ] Freezing Temps ? You should renew your cable after 5 years ;)

[norton850]

Thanks RABBY,

It looks like I need a general overhaul, and the LNB and the cable.

Take care,
norton850

[Homer]

If its generally still on arc for most satellites, I would also go for the lnb, and chop six inches off the cables if you can.

[highway1]

lnb life is any time can died . if i read read lnb is 10 years ago if right the be a lot of db loss . 10 years was 0.9 db

can by now 0.1 type for a few quid ( normal lnb type (( 8cm round ))

but if it still working best to leave alone ;-) .

coax installed right should last for years .