New DirecTV Install and a Question

[icemank121]

I thought I would post on here about my install experience today.

My install window was 8-12 and the installer arrived at 11:30, and I was even called by the dispatcher at 11 that she was running a tad behind. Once she was here everything went perfectly. I had an HR21-100 and 2 SD receivers installed, and it was all done and up and running in about 1 1/2 hours. I am a Dish switcher and I must say, so far my experience has been amazing. I did have a problem when she called to activate my receivers my packages wouldn't take, error 721 when trying to tune channels after the receiver was activated, so the CSR from Activations had to re add all my packages, and in turn messed up some things, a quick call to Tech Support and it was squared away. The install job looks alot better than my Dish 1000 install. Wires are neatly hidden and tacked up where they need to be. The installer was a very nice lady who had been doing it for about 3 years, she works for Bluegrass Satellite here in Indiana.

My question, after the installer left I was checking signal strength and noticed all of the HD channel transponders were running about 79-90 in signal strength, is this good enough? If not, enough to warrant bringing a tech back out? I had horrible rain fade on Dish and wanna make sure when it is barely overcast or sprinkling I don't lose service. Other sats are in the mid 90s, just the one HD sat is low.

Just thought I would let everyone know about my install, since there are so many install refusal and quality horror stories, thought it would be a nice change of pace.

Thanks to all of the people who post on the DirecTV forums for answering all my D* questions, just from reading existing threads, I had leading up to my install!

[Canis Lupus]

Welcome icemank. Sounds like things went very well for you :)

As far as the HDs, we're looking at 103c (or "b" in some cases).

If they range as you say, but are not as high as the others, there's an outside chance you could have some occasional probs. Overall it sounds pretty good, but those numbers should be as high on average as the rest of your SATs, especially the 101.

Maybe go ahead and post your signal strengths on the HD-DVR for each transponder AND from both tuners on the 103c (or b) SAT.

[icemank121]

103c Signal:

1-8 86 77 83 78 82 76 82 77
9-16 82 76 83 78 84 76 NA NA
17-24 88 NA NA NA NA 77 NA NA

Both tuners were nearly identical.

[houskamp]

103c Signal:

1-8 86 77 83 78 82 76 82 77
9-16 82 76 83 78 84 76 NA NA
17-24 88 NA NA NA NA 77 NA NA

Both tuners were nearly identical.
not terrible but not ideal either.. like to see 90+..

[Canis Lupus]

OK - identical is good which likely means elevation, etc. are good and explains why you have good signals on the rest of your SATs.

If your area is prone to weather (as you've indicated), I'd get that 103 peaked out. We're talking the most micronic of adjustments and those numbers could jump into the 90s.

So I would recommend having them come back to tweak the 103.

Since this was a DirecTV install, you're gonna have to tell a little "white lie" ;)

When you call for service, tell them you're getting "771" errors only on your new HD channels. If they say. "Is it happening now?", you'll need to say "Yes". ;)

They may tell you to reboot and run you through some other script stuff, but tell them you've already done that.

Remind them gently you're a new customer who just switched, and would like them to kindly adjust the signal strengths on the dish to make sure you don;t have any more 771 problems.

[icemank121]

OK, thanks for the help!

[akhicks]

you know if you have a service call on a recent install then the original installer will likely get a charge back. that means because you "think" your signal should be higher she is going to pay for it. and signal above 70 is just fine. but im just an installer with several years experience that has been installing the ka ku dish for about three years. if i sound a negative im sorry but uneeded service calls only cause problems for good installers. you have a 90 day window to call dtv for service issues, and its free.

[Incompetent]

Did the installer leave you a company number? They have to guarantee their work for 90days. If the lady installer did a great job making the install look neat, you might not want to make her look bad having a REPEAT service call, especially one within 7 DAYs.

IF she was as thorough as you say, then there should be a local number you can call somewhere on or near your paperwork.

Always try and contact the local installer before calling D* and telling that white lie.
You never know whose liveliehood you might be affecting regarding that "micronic of adjustments".

[Canis Lupus]

I hear what you guys are saying, and I'm a big defender of installers who frequent this board.

Because I do my own installs and adjustments, I can understand why one wouldn't want anyone to "look bad". As the OP said, she did a good job.

However, and this is just my opinion, those signals aren't as high as they could be, and they should be tweaked. If I was doing the install as thoroughly as she was, I would have checked 103c, found it to be unsatisfactory, and made those "micronic adjustments" before I left.

Again, though, I'm not an installer and I defend installers in many cases because of what they have to go through just to get paid. I'm the last one who wants to see this installer be docked some pay when she obviously tried hard and did a good job.

Maybe the OP wants to have a shot at making the adjustments himself? If so, I'd be glad to help. If not, I'd still recommend getting the 103c tweaked to guard against any potential future rain fade issues, which he reported he had with Dish.

[Canis Lupus]

I respect your opinion.

you know if you have a service call on a recent install then the original installer will likely get a charge back. that means because you "think" your signal should be higher she is going to pay for it. and signal above 70 is just fine. but im just an installer with several years experience that has been installing the ka ku dish for about three years. if i sound a negative im sorry but uneeded service calls only cause problems for good installers. you have a 90 day window to call dtv for service issues, and its free.

[icemank121]

Thanks to all for the input, I will probably just wait it out, if I have problems, I did get the Protection Plan so that covers dish adjustment. If I get brave, i've done some reading and think I can probably tweak it out a little too. I had adjusted my Dish 1000 on several occasions.

[GTS]

you know if you have a service call on a recent install then the original installer will likely get a charge back. that means because you "think" your signal should be higher she is going to pay for it. and signal above 70 is just fine. but im just an installer with several years experience that has been installing the ka ku dish for about three years. if i sound a negative im sorry but uneeded service calls only cause problems for good installers. you have a 90 day window to call dtv for service issues, and its free.

I am a dealer/installer and frankly have been seeing more and more cases where the installers are failing to do the dither alignment and calling 70 + good enough. This is bogus! I would bet that the alignment on your dish isn't "just fine". The alignment should be performed using a meter capable of measuring the Ka band and anything short of that requires the dither alignment. I understand about the company being charged back for the install on any callbacks within 60 days of the install, but if the alignment is done correctly in the first place there's nothing to worry about. I would be on your side if the customer were complaining about going from 90 to 94, but there's no reason an installer can't achieve a level of 90 or better. I'd even be willing to give you an 85, but anything less than that and the job isn't done correctly.

I don't mean to chastise you or to infer that you aren't a "fine" installer but this is becoming one of my pet peeves. I understand that most companies don't provide the proper test equipment and in general take advantage of the techs, but if you are going to take the responsibility of performing a job do it right. Buy an Acutrac III, do the straightforward alignment, and you'll be money ahead by not having to take the time to perform the dither. You wont run the risk of having a customer call in for a realignment because of low signal problems and the customer will be most satisfied in the long run.

Please don't take this as a flame, just some plain talk constructive criticism.
Thanking all the techs for performing their duties under less than ideal conditions.

[Canis Lupus]

This should give you some perspective from a long-time member and poster in Michigan. ;)

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=125461

Thanks to all for the input, I will probably just wait it out, if I have problems, I did get the Protection Plan so that covers dish adjustment. If I get brave, i've done some reading and think I can probably tweak it out a little too. I had adjusted my Dish 1000 on several occasions.

[joe diamond]

Those numbers change all the time.

Tip the lady $100.00..........The HSP will ding her check and she will miss a real job screwing around with your transponders.

Joe

[Canis Lupus]

Again - I'm not trying to stir any pot in any way. I am a supporter of installers and what they have to go through.

In the end, I'm in favor of a good viewing experience, and I take matters into my own hands to guarantee that as best I can.

Other users may not be as comfortable with doing the same.

[RobertE]

Icemank121, check your PM.

[icemank121]

Wow, I wasn't at all trying to start arguments on here, I was just asking a simple question, I don't want to cost the lady any money, like I said, i'm happy with the install other than the one satellite. I think I will just tweak myself. The sat is installed on my shed behind my house at eye level, so I can work on it standing on the ground. Thanks to all of the helpful responses!

[RobertE]

Wow, I wasn't at all trying to start arguments on here, I was just asking a simple question, I don't want to cost the lady any money, like I said, i'm happy with the install other than the one satellite. I think I will just tweak myself. The sat is installed on my shed behind my house at eye level, so I can work on it standing on the ground. Thanks to all of the helpful responses!

If your going to take a crack at it, here's a few tips.

Use a sharpie to mark exactly where everything is currently at.

Reset both of the fine tuning dials to zero.

Loosen either the elevation or the azimuth lock down nuts.

Make small adjustments to one or the other, shouldn't need more that 3/10's of a turn either way to see some change. If it levels go down, well, then you went the wrong way. Rinse & repeat until your peaked. Ditto for the other adjustment.

Those assume that you don't have a sat meter or some way of looking at a signal meter on a box while making the adjustments.

[Canis Lupus]

Not to worry. You asked a question, you got responses with some opinions. We're all here to help you. Follow RobertE's advice and you can tweak it up yourself all nice and good :)

Wow, I wasn't at all trying to start arguments on here, I was just asking a simple question, I don't want to cost the lady any money, like I said, i'm happy with the install other than the one satellite. I think I will just tweak myself. The sat is installed on my shed behind my house at eye level, so I can work on it standing on the ground. Thanks to all of the helpful responses!

[akhicks]

Not to worry. You asked a question, you got responses with some opinions. We're all here to help you. Follow RobertE's advice and you can tweak it up yourself all nice and good :)

even if there are some different views we are all only trying to help with our different opinions and experiences no matter how differen, its all for fun and to help others.:grin:
and robert is correct SHARPIE !!! mark all points of movement before you loosen anything. it takes a 1/2 inch wrench. good luck and move it very slightly and check signal, repeat if needed.

[joe diamond]

What Robert E said will do it.

Know that 3/10th of a turn on those dither things will not be noticeable.
I would add........with someone else watching your TV and the DTV signal meter for the sat you want to tweak........before you loosen anything........just push the rim of the dish a little. If it is peaked the numbers will go down. If there is a chance for improvement this little push will give a clue which way to go.

Retighten when done.

Joe

[alfredk]

you know if you have a service call on a recent install then the original installer will likely get a charge back. that means because you "think" your signal should be higher she is going to pay for it. and signal above 70 is just fine. but im just an installer with several years experience that has been installing the ka ku dish for about three years. if i sound a negative im sorry but uneeded service calls only cause problems for good installers. you have a 90 day window to call dtv for service issues, and its free.


I am taking your word on this. My signals are about the same as the one who is posting here. It took me forever to get them so I am not touching them again to get into the 90s. I though that maybr some of the Pixcel problems I get once and a while were due to low signals, but even on clear days I get them, and strange enough, seems always to be around 730pm to 930pm. I am waiting for the next SW upgrade, the machine runs hot at 127, 124, but when I get it down to 119, no pixcel problem on HD. SD is always fine. Just my thoughts, but I think DTV is doing allot of things up there with HD and could be creating some of the problems so I'll say it, I am too " nerve shy " right how to tough the settings in fear of making pixcel problem appear more frequently, or worse.

Perhaps "akhicks " you have a slight suggestion, thanks.

[Canis Lupus]

If you're a bit nervous about tweaking your dish, there are some things you can check without having to do that, based upon what you posted.

At 127, you're running on the "higher end" of normal for temps, but should still be safe.
But you mentioned this happens between 7:30 and 9:30 pm, which is likely when you're using the DVR most? If so, it's possible temperature could be an issue with dropouts.

Do you have your receiver in open air, or in a cabinet? Do you have good ventilation? These are some things you can check and troubleshoot without having to tweak the dish at this time.

[TigersFanJJ]

If you're a bit nervous about tweaking your dish, there are some things you can check without having to do that, based upon what you posted.

At 127, you're running on the "higher end" of normal for temps, but should still be safe.
But you mentioned this happens between 7:30 and 9:30 pm, which is likely when you're using the DVR most? If so, it's possible temperature could be an issue with dropouts.

Do you have your receiver in open air, or in a cabinet? Do you have good ventilation? These are some things you can check and troubleshoot without having to tweak the dish at this time.

+1

Others have also posted good results using a "chill pad" that is designed to work for laptops. Just put it in place and plug it into the usb port.

[Canis Lupus]

Yes - and if your receiver is an HR20-700, you want to place the chillpad upside-down and on top of the HR20-700, so it draws the air up and out of the top of the case, which is where the venting is on this model.

+1

Others have also posted good results using a "chill pad" that is designed to work for laptops. Just put it in place and plug it into the usb port.