BW Service HX50 Iraq 15% **Signal **

Warning: Always power off at the AC mains wall switch before working on the coax cables.

A common cause for intermittent receive problems is LNB cable connectors/sockets.  The centre wire pin should be long enough to reach the springs inside the socket.  The pin should extend about 1.5mm proud of the rim.  If the pin has been burned at some point you will need to poke 20 times into the socket with a spare 6 inch length of centre wire to gently clean the springs inside. It might work, but the springs may be burned also and permanently damaged. Electronic contact cleaner spray/grease is recommended.

The transmit cable matters also as an open circuit in the transmit cable sheath will cause the BUC DC power to return via the LNB cable.

Given that you have changed the cables and checked the connectors several times, less probable causes are worth investigating.

Could the failure/recovery be associated with LNB temperature ?  Inside the LNB is a local oscillator and this sometimes goes faulty, stopping, jumping in frequency, restarting, causing the symptoms you describe.  This may well be associated with temperature changes (dawn/dusk) and also with the cool-down/warm-up sequence if you cycle the power supply. Try heating/cooling the LNB.   Try a new LNB of the same type.  Borrow one from somewhere if possible.

Is anyone operating a high power radar or similar transmission close nearby ?

The least likely cause is a fault in the modem itself.

Best regards, Eric.

Incorrect construction and/or substandard cable will in fact contribute to cable short and/or cable open conditions. Shorts occur when physical contact occurs between the ground sheath and the center conductor. Among other things, sun transitions can cause condensation to collect inside unprotected coaxial connectors, condensation can cause cable shorts. That's why Hughes requires non-hardening silicone dielectric (electrical grease) and self-sealing tape on all outdoor coaxial connections (I use heat shrink instead of tape). But modem reaction to a cable short is immediate shutdown - no 20 second delay - a shutdown which persists or recurs until the fault is rectified. Opens occur when situations like Eric described exist, where a center conductor loses contact with  either (a) the modem I/O jacks,(b) through the cable block,  or (c) with the associated jacks on the outdoor electronics. But assuming a 100% end-to-end cable swap - or unless all your cables are constructed incorrectly -  multiple cable swaps should have isolated an intermittent cable open. And to reiterate Eric's advice, a dirty or defective I/O (male) jack on either end of a cable will produce the same fault.

If you've already ruled all that out, the modem powering up for 20 seconds suggests an unreliable power source. One of the usual suspects is the Hughes power adapter; the little box about half way up the modem power cord. They should feel a bit warm to the touch when operating normally. But one that grows hot to the touch is a sign of impending failure. When the modem shuts down due to an input power issue, there's no longer any AC or DC flowing - which in turn allows the adapter to cool back down. After a cooling period it works again for a while - but - the overheating cycle just starts over, until the failure becomes permanent. When diagnosed in time, there is usually no damage to the modem. Input and output fault condition shutdowns are part of it's internal self-protection circuitry (self-resetting circuit breakers).

So my initial recommendation is to see if your buddy will lend you his power adapter for troubleshooting.

//greg//

Greg,

I'm trying to locate some electrical grease. Being in Iraq I wish I could just go and buy some in the local auto parts store.

I'm going to work on this tonight since it seems to happen when the sun goes down. I'm going to clean the sockets and hope this does fix it.

I did check the modem power supply and it does not feel hot to the touch. I had other person try it too.

I will try and get a LNB but, it will be hard.

Thanks for the info.

-ED

Quote:
By sockets I assume you mean the female connector ends of the coaxial cable. You must also clean the center conductor hole of the male connectors on the transmitter and LNB. I find this easiest to do with a tiny round rasp. No need to invest in anything, even if you could find it over there. Your dental tech might be able to fill the bill. My dentist gives me a handful of dental picks and stuff occasionally, and they include a small selection of tiny rasp tips.

If your motor pool services any gasoline vehicles, they might be able to provide you with a finger full of dielectric grease. They use it in spark plug socket ends.

//greg//

We are following the case (87084); we have identified external factors which may be masking the main issue. We would like to push forward with the investigation tomorrow at your convenience.

Sir

We meant external issues could be interference or some issue like that Network level there is no issue at all . we are thinking to send you a LNB and yes you may need to replace cables anyhow Gary will be in touch with you

Best Regards

A Walker

Warning: Always power off at the AC mains wall switch before working on the coax cables.

Quote:

Either the LNB local oscillator fails (stops) due to temperature change or the cable contracts/expands/moves slightly and you have a poor/corroded/burned connector.

Is the fault still occurring morning and night ?
Can you induce the fault to occur by gently waggling the LNB cable at either end ?
Just because it works when cold does not mean that change of temperature is not the cause.  Is the failure/recovery associated with sun shadow angle onto the LNB ?

Power cycling the system is often enough to restart the LNB local oscillator.  This might be due to the temperature change during a brief power off or the step up to normal volatage when powered on.

Is the failure instantaneous or is there a decrease in signal quality prior to the outage ?  

What is the receive frequency offset - automatic frequency control bias - BW may be able to answer this.  Is it abnormal for this particular site?. An LNB with freq offset near extreme limit might just possibly cause thr symptom - but I am puzzled by the brief 15% SQF which suggests either no signal power at all or retuning to some wrong frequency (temporarily).  Does the modem have a backup second tuning configuration stored which it tries briefly following an outage ?

Are the times of failure/recovery associated with nearby equipment (radar, air conditioning, neon signs) being powered on/off ?

Best regards, Eric.

Quote:

Well a few weeks of trying to work with the poor customer support from BW here is what has happened.

1. I did find some electrical grease
2. Clean the sockets
3. Replaced the cables for the last time
( Same Issue)

BW support thinks it maybe the feedhorn and they sent me a replacement but, At my current location we can't receive packages from FedEx. ( I did explain this issue to Ray with BW over the phone and emails) The part was still sent

At this time the weather is read bad wind, dust and the temp is cold and its working fine no issue today.

I'm not sure if anyone in Iraq maybe having the issue's?