Question 1

Do you charge a call-out fee?

Accepted Answer

We travel hundreds of miles around the Island every week serving our customers, and in so doing we incur substantial vehicle running costs. We therefore have to reluctantly charge a call-out fee no matter the job outcome. We charge £29 for a call-out in and around Stornoway, and £39 for the rest of the Island.

For every job that requires a service, installation or repair, the the total job cost includes a call-out charge.

Question 2

Do you repair any make and type of TV?

Accepted Answer

We have over 50 years of experience in the TV trade and we can repair most makes and types of TV.

Question 3

Do you do offer a TV repair estimate service?

Accepted Answer

We provide an out-call site visit if your TV is faulty. We shall endeavour to repair your TV, but, if the fault can't be fixed there and then, and we think that it is repairable, we will provide a free, no obligation, estimate for the repair service. We will give you an honest opinion as to whether you should consider a repair or a replacement. We do not do any repair work without your approval, we will always discuss the fault and repair cost with you taking into account the age, and condition of your set.

Question 4

What warranties do you offer?

Accepted Answer

A TV repair, satellite or aerial repair, or any other electronic repair comes with a 3 month labour and parts guarantee. A new satellite or aerial installation comes with a 1 year labour and parts guarantee.

Question 5

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We only accept cash or cheque payment. We issue the client with a sales/repair receipt which is their installation/repair warranty; we hold a file copy should the receipt be misplaced for any reason.

Question 6

How long do you take to respond to an installation or repair request?

Accepted Answer

We strive to give as prompt a service as possible both in the repair and installation of products. It is all workload dependent.  Most TVs can be repaired either on the same day or next day; however it may take slightly longer to diagnose an uncommon problem, then repair it and test-bench it to our satisfaction. As for satellite/aerial installations/faults we deal with these on a first-come first-serve basis and we try to reach the customer on a next day basis if it is possible.

Question 7

I've just bought a new TV. Can you set it up for me? Can you wall-mount it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can install and set up your TV system and we can also wall-mount the TV if desired. We’re also happy to show you how to operate your new equipment and how to get the most from it.

Question 8

Is it possible for a non-galvanised satellite dish and attached lnb to become rusty after a month in Island  weather conditions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is entirely possible for a non-galvanised satellite dish to show visible rust within a single month when exposed to the harsh weather conditions on the Island.The combination of  frequent rain, and—most critically—salt-laden air in coastal or island environments creates a highly corrosive environment. Key Factors for Rapid RustingSalt Air Corrosion: Microscopic salt particles from sea spray act as catalysts for oxidation. In seaside or island locations, this process is significantly faster than inland, with some metallic tools and components showing rust in as little as three weeks.Paint Failure: Most standard satellite dishes are made of painted steel. If the paint is chipped, thin, or low-quality, the underlying steel is immediately vulnerable and can begin to rust 'almost immediately' once exposed.Winter Weather: Frequent rain and snow keep the metal surface damp for longer periods. The longer a metal surface remains damp in coastal air, the higher the corrosion rate.LNB and Fittings: While the LNB (the plastic-encased receiver) itself doesn't rust, its metal arm, mounting brackets, and connectors are highly susceptible. Rust on the dish arm can weaken cable supports and lead to signal loss.While standard steel dishes degrade quickly in our harsh marine environment, upgrading to a galvanised satellite dish completely changes the timeline.Zinc Barrier: Galvanised steel features a protective zinc coating.10-Year Lifespan: This chemical barrier resists salt-spray damage for up to a decade.Zero Maintenance: You will not need to rust-proof or replace components annually.Choosing a galvanised system requires a higher upfront financial investment, but it delivers massive long-term savings for island homeowners.Higher Initial Cost: The purchase price of the hardware is noticeably higher than standard steel.Fewer Replacements: A standard dish may need replacing 3 to 4 times over 10 years.No Repeat Labour: You only pay for a single, professional installation service.Cheaper Over Time: Avoiding frequent hardware updates makes galvanised dishes the lowest-cost option long-term.

Question 9

What can affect the quality of my satellite signal?

Accepted Answer

Your satellite signal can be degraded or temporarily lost due to several environmental and physical factors common to our Island climate:Extreme Weather (Rain/Hail Fade): Heavy downpours of rain or hail, thick cloud cover, and dense sea fog scatter the microwave signals travelling from space to your dish.Wind Misalignment: High gales can physically shift your dish out of its precise alignment or cause the mounting bracket to vibrate.Salt and Rust Build-up: Coastal spray causes rapid corrosion on the satellite feedhorn (LNB), brackets, and cable connections.Wind-Blown Vegetation: High winds blow nearby tree branches and tall bushes into the dish’s direct line of sight, causing intermittent signal drops during storms even if the line of sight looks clear in calm weather. Physical Obstructions: Growing trees, new buildings, or heavy accumulation of snow and ice on the face of the dish completely block the line of sight.

Question 10

Why does my TV signal drop in good weather?

Accepted Answer

It seems to be a strange phenomenon, but bright, sunny days and high-pressure weather systems are a primary cause of summer TV signal disruption across Scotland. When the weather is fine, a scientific phenomenon called high-pressure atmospheric inversion bends television signals away from your aerial, leading to pixelation, freezing, or a total loss of channels.What exactly causes this issue? High-pressure weather systems create a layer of warm air high above a layer of cooler air near the ground. This unusual atmospheric sandwich acts like a giant lens, bending and bouncing TV signals far beyond their normal range instead of letting them reach your aerial cleanly. Why am I suddenly seeing English or Irish channels? High pressure allows TV signals to travel much further than usual. Your aerial might accidentally pick up distant transmitters from northern England, Ireland, or even continental Europe, which crowd out and override your local Scottish BBC or STV signals. Is my TV aerial or satellite dish broken? Probably not. If your signal was perfect before the warm spell and drops out mostly in the afternoon or evening, your equipment is likely working fine. The atmosphere is simply scrambling the airwaves temporarily.Does this warm weather affect Sky or Freesat dishes? No. Satellite signals travel straight down from space, so they are not affected by high-pressure atmospheric bending. This issue strictly impacts digital terrestrial TV (Freeview) received through a traditional aerial. How long will the picture disruption last? The interference will persist as long as the stable, high-pressure weather system remains over Scotland. Your signal should return to normal as soon as the weather breaks, clouds return, or a low-pressure front moves in. What You Should (and Shouldn't) DoDo not retune your TV. Re-tuning while the signal is jammed can cause your TV to completely wipe out your local channels. Once the weather clears, you will be left with an empty channel guide and will have to re-tune all over again. Check a local status tracker. Before worrying, check for known transmitter faults online via the BBC Reception Advice or the Freeview Service Status pages to see if atmospheric changes are currently logged for your postcode. Wait out the weather. In most cases, the best course of action is simply to wait for the high-pressure system to clear or switch to an internet-based streaming service (like BBC iPlayer or ITVX) in the meantime.If your TV signal does not return to normal after the weather changes, there might be an underlying fault with your aerial, cabling, or amplifier.

Stornoway Based 07493 420530 07553 289756

Frequently Asked Questions?

Do you charge a call-out fee?

Do you repair any make and type of TV?

Do you do offer a TV repair estimate service?

What warranties do you offer?

What forms of payment do you accept?

How long do you take to respond to an installation or repair request?

I've just bought a new TV. Can you set it up for me? Can you wall-mount it?

Is it possible for a non-galvanised satellite dish and attached lnb to become rusty after a month in Island weather conditions?

What can affect the quality of my satellite signal?

Why does my TV signal drop in good weather?

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