Sky, Freesat & satellite dishes in St Ives

From St Ives the satellites sit to the south-east, which for many riverside homes means looking straight through willows and other tall trees. A dish that worked in winter can lose signal in summer. We check the line of sight with the leaves in mind and choose a position that works all year.

In the conservation area, a dish usually shouldn't face and be visible from the road. We look for a rear wall, yard or outbuilding instead and keep the cable run tidy.

• Told the dish can't go on the front

  Likely cause

  Conservation-area or listed-building rules about dishes facing the road.

  How we fix it

  We find a compliant position at the side, rear or below the roofline.

• Worked in winter, fails in summer

  Likely cause

  Trees coming into leaf between the dish and the satellite.

  How we fix it

  Move the dish to a position with a clear view all year.

• Want satellite in an annexe or barn

  Likely cause

  The main dish is too far away or has no spare output.

  How we fix it

  Run cable from the dish or fit a second small dish.

• 'No satellite signal' after a storm

  Likely cause

  Wind or scaffolders have moved the dish, or a loose bracket has let it droop.

  How we fix it

  Re-secure on a rigid bracket and realign to the right bearing and elevation.

• Second box or room not working

  Likely cause

  The LNB doesn't have enough outputs, or the cable to that room has failed.

  How we fix it

  A multi-output LNB and a new cable run to each box.

• Some channels missing

  Likely cause

  A weak or noisy signal where only the strongest channels get through, often a corroded connector.

  How we fix it

  New weather-sealed connectors and cable, and a meter-checked alignment.