A lot of houses in Primrose, Lambton and Delville have had satellite TV for a long time, and on many of them the cable from the dish has been patched, extended and rerouted more than once. When signal starts dropping, that cable run is one of the first places a technician looks. OnspotElec offers DStv installation in Germiston, along with cable replacement, re-termination and general repairs for homes, small shops and workshops. We are a mobile authorised DStv installer, so we come to the property.
Why Old Cable Runs Cause So Much Trouble
Coaxial cable carries the satellite signal from the LNB on the dish down to the decoder. It is a simple part, but it is also the part most exposed to sun, rain, rodents and building work. On older properties a few patterns are common.
- Joins hidden in the ceiling. A cable that was extended with a joiner or a splitter during an earlier renovation can corrode at that join, out of sight.
- Water in the connector. An F-connector at the LNB that was never sealed lets moisture creep in, and the signal gets steadily weaker.
- Chewed or crushed sections. Rats in the roof space, or cable squashed under a roof sheet or gate motor cover, can damage the core.
- Mixed cable types. Old lengths of thinner or poor-quality cable spliced into newer RG6 cable can lose more signal than the system can afford.
The symptoms vary. Picture may freeze or pixelate during wind, fail only after rain, or produce the E48-32 no-signal notification at random. Our article on how to identify damaged DStv cables and connectors describes what you can safely check without going onto the roof.
Re-termination or a Full Cable Replacement?
Not every old installation needs new cable throughout. The technician tests the signal and inspects the run, then recommends the smaller fix where it will solve the problem.
| Option | What it involves | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|
| Re-termination | Cutting back to clean cable and fitting new compression F-connectors, then weatherproofing outdoor joints. | Cable that is sound along its length but corroded or loose at the ends. |
| Section replacement | Replacing one damaged length, for example the outdoor run from the dish to the roof entry. | Sun-cracked or chewed cable in one identifiable stretch. |
| Full new run | Running new cable from the LNB to each TV point and removing redundant joins and splitters. | Installations with several old joins, mixed cable or faults that cannot be isolated. |
Because the right option depends on what is found, pricing is based on the actual work and materials required. The cable repairs service page has more detail.
Picture only breaks up when it rains or the wind picks up? That pattern often points to cabling or connectors. Call 083 489 1322 and describe what you are seeing.
Workshops, Shops and Small Offices
Wadeville and the industrial pockets around Germiston have plenty of workshops and small premises where a TV in the reception, canteen or office runs through the day. Those installations often face dust, vibration from machinery, forklifts and staff moving stock near cable routes. Cable that is protected in conduit and kept off the floor lasts much longer.
For a single screen, a standard decoder installation is usually enough. Premises that want several screens fed from one dish need a distribution setup, which falls under our commercial DStv installation service. The subscription for a business is arranged with DStv directly.
Other Work We Handle in the Area
Cabling is a big part of what Germiston calls involve, but it is not the only one. We also install and replace decoders, realign dishes knocked out of position, and carry out general DStv repairs and fault finding when the cause is not obvious. If the dish or LNB itself is past its best, replacing it may make more sense than repairing around it.
Getting a Technician Out
Tell us what is wrong
Phone us, any hour of the day, or fill in the quote form. Mention any recent building, roofing or electrical work, as it often explains a fault.
We trace the fault on site
The technician tests signal from the dish down to the decoder to find where it is being lost.
You approve the fix
We explain what needs doing and what it will involve before any replacement work starts.
Urgent faults can be treated as emergencies; when someone can arrive depends on the job and who is free at the time. We also cover Alberton, Bedfordview and Boksburg.
Germiston Cable and Installation Questions
If it tests well and is a suitable type, yes. Cable that is damaged, heavily joined or the wrong type is usually better replaced, and we will explain why.
Heavy rain can interrupt signal briefly on any dish. If it stays off long after the rain has stopped, water may be getting into a connector or damaged cable.
Yes, for canteens, offices and reception areas. We route cable to keep it away from traffic and machinery where the building allows.
Sometimes. Pixelation can also come from alignment, a failing LNB or the decoder, so we test the system rather than assume.
