Sky Default Transponder Frequency Setting for Sky Digiboxes.
The Sky Default Transponder Frequency Setting for Sky Digiboxes tells the Sky digibox which frequency to download the channel list from when the Sky digibox is first powered on.
The correct default transponder frequency setting on a Sky Digibox is 11778 V 27.5 2/3.
Prior to February 2015, this 11778 frequency used to be transmitted from a satellite beam which even the large 2.4m satellite dishes used to struggle to receive.
This meant that sometimes during the boot up process, the Sky Digibox would inform you that you were not receiving a signal. The box would not boot up correctly as it could not receive the required data and channel list from the 11778 frequency, as that frequency was simply too weak to receive.
However, all other frequencies used for UK TV carry the channel list. So people had to go through a process of pressing certain buttons on their Sky remote control to access a “secret” installer menu, and change the default transponder frequency setting from 11778 to another frequency. This basically told the Sky Digibox to download the channel list from another more available frequency.
Note that changing the default transponder frequency setting on a Sky box in Spain, does not improve channel reception. Changing the default transponder frequency setting on a Sky box in Spain only tells the Sky box what frequency to download the Sky channel list for the Sky Guide from when being restarted after disconnecting from the power (eg power cut)
In February 2015, the 11778 frequency moved satellites and to a stronger, easier to receive beam. So you should no longer have to change the Sky Digiboxes default transponder frequency setting from 11778, as this 11778 frequency is nice and stronger than ever.
However, some people are unaware that they no longer have to change any of the default transponder frequency settings on a Sky digibox.
And as a result are now finding that they are having problems with their sky digibox booting up.
This is because people have been using 12207 V 27.5 2/3 as a default transponder frequency. However, this frequency is no longer a valid working frequency. And so when the Sky Digibox is booted up, the box is trying and failing to receive its data from an incorrect frequency. And so it appears as if the Sky digibox is broken.
How to change the Sky Default Transponder Frequency Setting for Sky Digiboxes
1. Remove the power cable from the Sky Digibox only. This can be found on the back of the Sky Digibox, and is normally a black cable on either the extreme left or right of the Sky Digibox. Reinsert the power cable after 30 seconds.
2. Turn on the Sky Digibox.
3. On the Sky remote control press the SERVICES button
4. On the Sky remote control press 401 (four zero one) and then the SELECT button. Note that when pressing 0 and 1 (zero and one) nothing will happen on screen). The screen will change when the select button is pressed.
5. If the above has been done correctly you should see the Sky “secret” Installer Setup Menu screen. If you do not see the Installer Setup Menu screen then start this process again.
6. Press “2” on your Sky remote control, to go into the Default Transponder Frequency screen.
7. If done correctly should be looking at the Default Transponder screen.
8. On the Sky remote control input the desired frequency
9. Ensure that the default POLARIZATION is the correct one for your frequency.
10. Ensure that the default SYMBOL RATE is the correct one for your frequency.
11. Ensure that the default FEC is is the correct one for your frequency.
12. On the Sky remote control press the DOWN ARROW button to highlight “SAVE NEW SETTINGS”. Press SELECT. This will SAVE NEW SETTINGS and return you to the Installer Setup Menu screen.
11. On the Sky remote control press the BACK UP button until you exit all the menus.
12. If this process has been done correctly the time will appear on the white programme information banner. Eventually channel information for Sky channel 998 will appear.
13. Once this programme information for Sky Channel 998 has appeared your other channels should now be available. Test this by trying Sky Channel 501 -Sky News.
If after doing this “default transponder” process you still do not have access to your channels, then try repeating the process. It may be that there is another issue with your satellite installation (LNB problem, dish needs realigning) and you will need to call your engineer out.
Why do you need to change the Sky Digiboxes Default Transponder Frequency Setting?
When a Sky digibox is turned on the first time the first thing the Sky digibox does is to download some of the Sky Guide EPG information from a specific default frequency (or Transponder) from the satellite. The Sky digibox must have this information to start to work and allow you to watch Sky TV..
Prior to February 2015, the default frequency (transponder) that the Sky Digibox is initially set to look for (11778 V) is one of the weaker signals in Spain and the Costa Blanca. The 11778 Default transponder frequency setting may not even be available 24/7 on a 2.4m satellite dish in some areas of Spain and the Costa Blanca. So should you experience one of Spain’s frequent power cuts during this period, your Sky digibox may be unable to find this frequency, fail to boot up, and display the on screen message “No Satellite Signal Being Received”.
Therefore, to assist the Sky digibox to receive the Sky Guide EPG information it requires to boot up, the default transponder frequency must be changed to another frequency to enable the initial information download.
In most cases, after a successful download the default transponder frequency setting will return to 11778. This is normal, and you should not really expect the Sky digibox to keep the default transponder frequency setting you have manually input.
Changing this default transponder frequency on a Sky digibox does not increase how long channels are available, no matter what people tell you. It is only used to “assist” the receiver to boot up. Once the Sky box has booted up, and loaded the Sky Guide EPG information, any manually input default transponder frequency is IGNORED. The Sky box will use whichever of th.re 106 frequencies it needs to use for the channel you have selected to watch.This is why changing the default transponder does not increase the time a channel is available and why changing this frequency does not keep BBC or ITV One, Two, Three Four for longer.
This page answers the following questions:
“What to do if you receive the message “NO SATELLITE SIGNAL BEING RECEIVED” on a Sky digibox receiver?”
“What to do if you are receiving a No Default Transponder message?”
“What is the best Sky Default Transponder frequency setting to use on the Costa Blanca Spain?”
“What is the best Freesat Default Transponder frequency setting to use on the Costa Blanca Spain?”
“My Sky digibox is showing a “searching for listings” message?”
“What are the best Sky set up frequency codes for Spain”
“How To Change Sky Transponder Settings”
“How To Set Up a Sky Digibox with the best frequency settings for Spain”
“How To Access the Secret Sky Installers Menu on a Sky digibox”