New Slimline Install - Losing signal on one line

[JohnTivo]

I need some help diagnosing an issue.

I had my 3 LNB dish replaced and with the Slimline (as well as all my tivo units). I now have two HD Receivers and two HD DVR+ units (HR20 & HR21).

The installer used my existing runs and location for the new dish. The length from the dish to the switch in my house must be at least 200 feet. My old setup never had any issues with the signals... maybe because I had a powered multiswitch?

Anyway, during the install, the guy had trouble locking in all the sats. He changed out the multiswitch and the LNB unit numerous times. As he was making a few calls to get help, I messed with the lines coming into the switch. Whatever I did temporarily fixed the issue... was getting 90+ ratings on all sats. So he left.

Now occasionally, I lose the 101b signal. After messing around, I've isolated the issue to one cable. If I move that cable to another port on the WB68, that signal is impacted.

So is this an issue with a bad cable run? or the dish not having enough power to lock the signal in?

If it is a power issue, will the Sonora HRPID1422 or WB616 resolve my problem?

Thanks!

[Hansen]

I need some help diagnosing an issue.

I had my 3 LNB dish replaced and with the Slimline (as well as all my tivo units). I now have two HD Receivers and two HD DVR+ units (HR20 & HR21).

The installer used my existing runs and location for the new dish. The length from the dish to the switch in my house must be at least 200 feet. My old setup never had any issues with the signals... maybe because I had a powered multiswitch?

Anyway, during the install, the guy had trouble locking in all the sats. He changed out the multiswitch and the LNB unit numerous times. As he was making a few calls to get help, I messed with the lines coming into the switch. Whatever I did temporarily fixed the issue... was getting 90+ ratings on all sats. So he left.

Now occasionally, I lose the 101b signal. After messing around, I've isolated the issue to one cable. If I move that cable to another port on the WB68, that signal is impacted.

So is this an issue with a bad cable run? or the dish not having enough power to lock the signal in?

If it is a power issue, will the Sonora HRPID1422 or WB616 resolve my problem?

Thanks!


200 feet is a long run indeed. You mention you isolated it to one cable. Are you having the exact same signal problems at all 4 receivers or just one of the receivers? If just one of the receivers, is it a HR2x? If so, then check the signals for both of the tuners? Is problem on just one tuner or the other tuner or both tuners on that HR2x? If both tuners, then it may be power issue. If one of the tuners, then need to narrow it down more by switching the cables at that receiver...in other words, move tuner 2's cable to tuner 1 and visa versa. Does the signal problem follow the tuner? If yes, then need to figure out if it is a BBC or the cable run causing the problem. To do that try the BBC from a known good tuner on the one giving you problems. If that solves the issue, then you have a bad BBC and need to get a new one from DirecTV. If it did not solve it, then it's likely that particular run of cable has a problem. Could be a shorted compression connector, bent center pin, etc.

If it's one of the H21 receivers causing the problem. Then need to do a similar test by switching out the BBC and see if that solves the problem. If not, then need to verify it's not the H21. Can take another H21 to this location and try it or take the H21 from the problem location and try it at a known good cable run location. If confirm that H21 is not problem, then likely it's the cable run.

[ajc68]

I have a similar problem. After nearly a year I started getting the dreaded 771 message on tuner 2 of my bdrm DVR. I had not touched or changed anything since the setup. I have two HR20-700s. No matter where I moved the cable, the problem followed that cable. It would go from tuner 1 to tuner 2. Same on the other DVR. If I would unplug the unit and reboot, the problem would be solved temporarily.

Unfortunately, my dish is locked on a roof and I don't have access to it. I decided to split the good cable in the bdrm to the DVR, since I couldn't find a way to run the DVR with only one. Since then I've had no problems. I only have a 26" TV in the bdrm so I don't notice any picture quality drop-off if there is any.

But I'm still curious why the one cable went bad after a year, and why a reboot will temporarily fix the problem?

[JohnTivo]

Hansen, thanks for the response.

At this point, the issue happens at the same time on ALL my receivers. Even before I disconnected my HR10, it was having issues locking in the sats... so I'm fairly certain it is a related to the line.

[curt8403]

Hansen, thanks for the response.

At this point, the issue happens at the same time on ALL my receivers. Even before I disconnected my HR10, it was having issues locking in the sats... so I'm fairly certain it is a related to the line.

check your cable center wire with a small magnet. is it solid copper or copper clad
The magnet will tell

[Jimmy the Dish]

I need some help diagnosing an issue.

I had my 3 LNB dish replaced and with the Slimline (as well as all my tivo units). I now have two HD Receivers and two HD DVR+ units (HR20 & HR21).

The installer used my existing runs and location for the new dish. The length from the dish to the switch in my house must be at least 200 feet. My old setup never had any issues with the signals... maybe because I had a powered multiswitch?

Anyway, during the install, the guy had trouble locking in all the sats. He changed out the multiswitch and the LNB unit numerous times. As he was making a few calls to get help, I messed with the lines coming into the switch. Whatever I did temporarily fixed the issue... was getting 90+ ratings on all sats. So he left.

Now occasionally, I lose the 101b signal. After messing around, I've isolated the issue to one cable. If I move that cable to another port on the WB68, that signal is impacted.

So is this an issue with a bad cable run? or the dish not having enough power to lock the signal in?

If it is a power issue, will the Sonora HRPID1422 or WB616 resolve my problem?

Thanks!


The receiver isn't strong enough to power the swich and the larger slimline at a distance of 200" ft.
The polarity locker is what you need!

[JohnTivo]

The receiver isn't strong enough to power the swich and the larger slimline at a distance of 200" ft.
The polarity locker is what you need!

This was my initial thoughts... but why is it only losing the lock on one of the lines and not all?