wood1685
09-24-07, 11:16 AM
OK I've hesitated to post this for a few days because I'm sure its been posted before and I've probably missed it. If so, we can delete this one later :grin:
I have a somewhat interesting configuration in that I have two Slimline dishes - one to a WB68 and one direct out to receivers (don't ask - its an old wiring thing). This has allowed me to test some funky situations.
I've noticed several recurring things about wiring with the new test channels and TP signals coming in (finally).
1) You need a KA compatible multi-switch (yes I know this has been said before). NOT having one will not necessarily cause you to be unable to view the test channels either. The WB68 and family have an "extra" range of frequency that they serve (250-750 mhz). If you don't have this frequency range on your switch, you CAN (if your wiring isn't degrading the signal further) see TP numbers on 103 where the last two TPs look normal and the one up from that gets degraded signal. All the other TPs zero out. So depending on the channel you're on, you may get signal. This is still "Bad" and you should replace your multi-switch with one that supports 250-750.
2) You can't have the often present "line amplifiers". They suffer from the exact same frequency limitation - however, one of these in your line will actually stop perfectly good signal from coming thru. For the first time ever (too cheap to buy the alignment meter) I had D* do my dish upgrades and in one case, on one receiver, they accidentally left an in-line hooked up (they took the others off). Symptoms are exactly the same for an "old" multi-switch. Take them out. They help your old-sat signals but they're actually killing your 103b.
3) Every other TP has signal? If you're direct to the dish, you have either a cable or a dish-switch issue. The fastest way to find out is to hook direct into the dish with brand new cable. I take a receiver out with a little portable TV to test mine (and friend's). Its almost never the case that the receiver has problems related to every other TP. Its almost ALWAYS the case that the cable is the culprit.
If you have a multi-switch, its pretty easy to test too. Go to where your switch is located and remove the four cables from the "top" of the switch (you do have at least four going in there right?). Pick one cable from a known receiver (you do have them labeled right?) and hook each of the four up to that single cable - testing them in series. They're direct to the satellite now so the signals should be identical - I've seen two different cases where the signals are NOT nearly identical but when hooked direct the cable is working. After replacing that cable (both times) the every-other-TP issue went away.
If the signals are fine (as far as you can tell) you can swap cables around the multi-switch. On the WB68, the four cables are 18v 13v 18v 13v - from the satellite, any one of the four runs can go into any of those four connectors. Swap the former 18v with the former 13v. Does your problem with every-other-TP change? What I mean is do you have odds rather than evens now. If so, its still probably a cable problem. If you swap the cables around and the problem stays exactly the same then you may have a bad multi-switch.
4) No TP has signal on 103b but the other satellites look great (high 80s and 90s). Be sure the first two points are checked - especially try bypassing your switch completely (if you have one). Now, is it the case that you have no signals on BOTH tuners on a receiver? If it is, are you sure you have dongles? Are they rev3?
If you have signal on one tuner but not on the other, remove and switch both cables (not dongles yet). Did that "swap" the problem? Probably bad cable or connector. If not, remove both cables+dongles and switch them. Did that "swap" the problem? Probably bad dongle.
For both tuners down - assuming there are no switch or amplifier issues - I'd call D* for a dish alignment. Once you do these basic DIY troubleshooting fixes, the installer will be much happier when they come out and have a real problem they know how to fix (they know how to align dishes!). ;)
Thats about the sum of my learnings with self, friends, and neighbors this past month.
I have a somewhat interesting configuration in that I have two Slimline dishes - one to a WB68 and one direct out to receivers (don't ask - its an old wiring thing). This has allowed me to test some funky situations.
I've noticed several recurring things about wiring with the new test channels and TP signals coming in (finally).
1) You need a KA compatible multi-switch (yes I know this has been said before). NOT having one will not necessarily cause you to be unable to view the test channels either. The WB68 and family have an "extra" range of frequency that they serve (250-750 mhz). If you don't have this frequency range on your switch, you CAN (if your wiring isn't degrading the signal further) see TP numbers on 103 where the last two TPs look normal and the one up from that gets degraded signal. All the other TPs zero out. So depending on the channel you're on, you may get signal. This is still "Bad" and you should replace your multi-switch with one that supports 250-750.
2) You can't have the often present "line amplifiers". They suffer from the exact same frequency limitation - however, one of these in your line will actually stop perfectly good signal from coming thru. For the first time ever (too cheap to buy the alignment meter) I had D* do my dish upgrades and in one case, on one receiver, they accidentally left an in-line hooked up (they took the others off). Symptoms are exactly the same for an "old" multi-switch. Take them out. They help your old-sat signals but they're actually killing your 103b.
3) Every other TP has signal? If you're direct to the dish, you have either a cable or a dish-switch issue. The fastest way to find out is to hook direct into the dish with brand new cable. I take a receiver out with a little portable TV to test mine (and friend's). Its almost never the case that the receiver has problems related to every other TP. Its almost ALWAYS the case that the cable is the culprit.
If you have a multi-switch, its pretty easy to test too. Go to where your switch is located and remove the four cables from the "top" of the switch (you do have at least four going in there right?). Pick one cable from a known receiver (you do have them labeled right?) and hook each of the four up to that single cable - testing them in series. They're direct to the satellite now so the signals should be identical - I've seen two different cases where the signals are NOT nearly identical but when hooked direct the cable is working. After replacing that cable (both times) the every-other-TP issue went away.
If the signals are fine (as far as you can tell) you can swap cables around the multi-switch. On the WB68, the four cables are 18v 13v 18v 13v - from the satellite, any one of the four runs can go into any of those four connectors. Swap the former 18v with the former 13v. Does your problem with every-other-TP change? What I mean is do you have odds rather than evens now. If so, its still probably a cable problem. If you swap the cables around and the problem stays exactly the same then you may have a bad multi-switch.
4) No TP has signal on 103b but the other satellites look great (high 80s and 90s). Be sure the first two points are checked - especially try bypassing your switch completely (if you have one). Now, is it the case that you have no signals on BOTH tuners on a receiver? If it is, are you sure you have dongles? Are they rev3?
If you have signal on one tuner but not on the other, remove and switch both cables (not dongles yet). Did that "swap" the problem? Probably bad cable or connector. If not, remove both cables+dongles and switch them. Did that "swap" the problem? Probably bad dongle.
For both tuners down - assuming there are no switch or amplifier issues - I'd call D* for a dish alignment. Once you do these basic DIY troubleshooting fixes, the installer will be much happier when they come out and have a real problem they know how to fix (they know how to align dishes!). ;)
Thats about the sum of my learnings with self, friends, and neighbors this past month.