HD Upgrade Installation Issues

[d0m4in]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and upgraded to HD. I called retentions yesterday and got a good deal, since I've been an account holder since the mid-nineties, they were happy to oblige. I was so excited that things went smoothly, and I was finally going to be able to ditch SD... until they mentioned the installation requirements. As I'm sure everyone here knows, they will not send equipment out to end users to install as they had previously. I would almost be okay with that, if it wasn't for the fact that my installation date is 12/20!! Almost a month?! I expressed this to the retentions operator who suggested that I could call the installation company, and perhaps convince them to release the equipment to me, since I'm a electrical contractor, and have dealt with this before.

So, this morning I called DirectSatUSA and was greeted with a rather extended hold time, and a very rude operator who, unsurprisingly, told me that it would not be possible to either bump up my install date, or get the equipment released. It was around then I began to google around with the company name, and came up with some rather frightening installation pictures and stories.

I apologize for being wordy, but my question is - what can I do? I would really like to install this myself, do it my OWN way, neat and tidy. I'm experienced enough to know how to align and install the new dish. Most importantly I don't want to wait a month to have this happen. A friend of mine ordered D* as a new customer not two weeks ago, and the installer was at his house the NEXT DAY!

Do I call retentions and attempt to get a different installation company? Do they have territories? Are there any tricks to getting the equipment that I am missing?

Please help!

[fwlogue]

You could purchase the equipment at retail your self and ask Directv to compensate you for the difference of what you are paying at retail and what they offered you. I would call first and ask before purchasing though. All installers are setup by territory.

[d0m4in]

You could purchase the equipment at retail your self and ask Directv to compensate you for the difference of what you are paying at retail and what they offered you. I would call first and ask before purchasing though. All installers are setup by territory.

Excellent advise, I'm not sure why I didn't think of that before. Called D*, cancelled the install, made sure my credits were intact. Other than ebay, is there a dbstalk-approved source for getting the 5LNB dish?

[Mike728]

Here's one: SlimLine (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=02&CAT=&PROD=AU9-S)

[fwlogue]

Excellent advise, I'm not sure why I didn't think of that before. Called D*, cancelled the install, made sure my credits were intact. Other than ebay, is there a dbstalk-approved source for getting the 5LNB dish?

I think Solidsignal.com would be your best bet.

[buddy3000]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and upgraded to HD. I called retentions yesterday and got a good deal, since I've been an account holder since the mid-nineties, they were happy to oblige. I was so excited that things went smoothly, and I was finally going to be able to ditch SD... until they mentioned the installation requirements. As I'm sure everyone here knows, they will not send equipment out to end users to install as they had previously. I would almost be okay with that, if it wasn't for the fact that my installation date is 12/20!! Almost a month?! I expressed this to the retentions operator who suggested that I could call the installation company, and perhaps convince them to release the equipment to me, since I'm a electrical contractor, and have dealt with this before.

So, this morning I called DirectSatUSA and was greeted with a rather extended hold time, and a very rude operator who, unsurprisingly, told me that it would not be possible to either bump up my install date, or get the equipment released. It was around then I began to google around with the company name, and came up with some rather frightening installation pictures and stories.

I apologize for being wordy, but my question is - what can I do? I would really like to install this myself, do it my OWN way, neat and tidy. I'm experienced enough to know how to align and install the new dish. Most importantly I don't want to wait a month to have this happen. A friend of mine ordered D* as a new customer not two weeks ago, and the installer was at his house the NEXT DAY!

Do I call retentions and attempt to get a different installation company? Do they have territories? Are there any tricks to getting the equipment that I am missing?

Please help!

I went through the same thing, I just decided to bite the bullet and bought everything I needed on eBay. Got everything I needed for $270 shipped and had it all in a week.

[techrep]

I think Solidsignal.com would be your best bet.

You can't go wrong with Solidsignal.

[bt-rtp]

The Slimline antennas are easier to install than most people know. A careful eye to detail is very important and using the right tools.

In my case, I did all of the wall fishing and ran all of the RG6 cables myself in advance of the install date. I marked a place up high on the side of my house where to place the mount bracket so the lag bolts would enter a floor joist. I mounted a gray electrical box for the ground block and ran the ground wire to a 8 foot rod below.

I made the installers job very easy and he knew it. He installed the Slimline and in return I got a great installtion with the dish peaked in and aimed perfectly. Then I tipped him $20 bucks too.