103b Tuner Weirdness

[Webini]

I'm having issues with 103b, but only on one tuner. I'm in central Maine.

Tuner 1 was showing:
78 65 76 66 76 63 74 61
76 60 72 60 74 60 n/a n/a
76 n/a n/a n/a n/a 72 n/a n/a

Tuner 2 was showing:
0 0 0 0 26 0 28 0
35 0 35 0 43 0 n/a n/a
31 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 n/a n/a

Needless to say I had issues whenever a channel was being picked up on Tuner 2. I had the rev2 BBCs so I switched them for the rev3 today. The issue stayed the same and the signal strengths varied by 1 or 2 at the most.

So I swapped the cables from Tuner 1 to Tuner 2 and vice-versa. The signal strength swapped with it (still on the rev3 BBCs). Tuner 1 was now showing the horrible numbers, Tuner 2 was ok.

D* is coming out tomorrow afternoon (in theory) to re-align my dish. My numbers should be better than 60 - 70 on 103b. Other sats are in the 90s.

Does anyone have any theories as to what is happening that I can't get good signals on both tuners? Both cable runs are straight shots, <50', no multi-switch, splitter, or diplexer at all. I'm using the Slimline dish.

Bad LNB?

[Earl Bonovich]

You are having some sort of signal issue.

possibly a bad cable, bad end, or something with the dish itself.

[Webini]

You are having some sort of signal issue.

possibly a bad cable, bad end, or something with the dish itself.

I agree. Dumb question, but what is unique about 103b that would cause the problem only to show up on that sat? If it was a cable wouldn't it have been an issue all along (all other sats are 90+ on both tuners).

Is one of the 5 lnbs only for 103b?

[LameLefty]

I agree. Dumb question, but what is unique about 103b that would cause the problem only to show up on that sat? If it was a cable wouldn't it have been an issue all along (all other sats are 90+ on both tuners).

Is one of the 5 lnbs only for 103b?

103b is the only sat (so far) to broadcast on the Ka-Lo frequency - that is more challenging to marginal cables, connectors and multiswitches which, though not ideal, still work fine for other Ka signals (from 99b and 103a) and Ku signals from everywhere else.

[levineeh]

103b is the only sat (so far) to broadcast on the Ka-Lo frequency - that is more challenging to marginal cables, connectors and multiswitches which, though not ideal, still work fine for other Ka signals (from 99b and 103a) and Ku signals from everywhere else.

I have the **exact** same issue as the OP - exactly
And although there is drop in signal from tuner 1 to tuner 2 (which is cable, not BBC dependent), it is only on 103(b) where the signal drops like 50-60 points which makes the new channels unwatchable on that tuner (but perfect on the other)

DirecTV tech support was great - immediately sending someone out - interesting that this "bad run" is the oldest and probably 7-10 years old cable, other runs are much newer - i'm sure that's the issue given the Ka-Lo frequency is much less tolerant of older/not to current spec cable

[Webini]

I have the **exact** same issue as the OP - exactly
And although there is drop in signal from tuner 1 to tuner 2 (which is cable, not BBC dependent), it is only on 103(b) where the signal drops like 50-60 points which makes the new channels unwatchable on that tuner (but perfect on the other)

DirecTV tech support was great - immediately sending someone out - interesting that this "bad run" is the oldest and probably 7-10 years old cable, other runs are much newer - i'm sure that's the issue given the Ka-Lo frequency is much less tolerant of older/not to current spec cable

Both of my cables were run at the same time and are RG6.

Does 103b use its own LNB?

[m_jraj]

I had exact same 103 b readings, but in my case it was a diplexor.

[Webini]

Issue solved. Actually got a great D* tech this time, he would not leave until he figured out the problem.

First the dish needed to be aligned. Now I have 103b signal strengths in the mid 80's to low 90's. I'm OK with that. My other sats improved as well.

It turned out the issue with the tuner was a loose connector on a grounding block.

[bwaldron]

Issue solved. Actually got a great D* tech this time, he would not leave until he figured out the problem.

First the dish needed to be aligned. Now I have 103b signal strengths in the mid 80's to low 90's. I'm OK with that. My other sats improved as well.

It turned out the issue with the tuner was a loose connector on a grounding block.

It is good to hear success stories!