Pole is really loose

[GlennCoco]

OK, so I am not really sure what to do about this. My pole is incredibly loose. I've attached a picture. As you might be able to see, there is a ring of concrete around the pole. Of course, it was all cracked up and the pole was leaning quite a bit, so much that I wasn't getting any of my channels. I spent about an hour trying to figure out how to get it lined up to get both satellites. Once I finally got it lined up right, I took out one of the cracked slivers of concrete and laid it out for you to see. It's probably 4" of concrete is all. Then I took a spoon and dug a bit of dirt around and tamped it down around the pole. I am sure this won't last more than a day, but hopefully it will last long enough for me to figure out what to do next.

So now, I can't figure out what I need to do next. First of all, I'm not sure if this is covered under my plan. Second of all, DirecTV actually never installed the pole. The pole was installed by Dish. When I made the switch away from Dish to DirecTV, they just used the same pole. So I'm not even sure if DirecTV would take responsibility for the install. Although in my mind, I think they should since if the pole was installed incorrectly by the other company, by them using the same pole as is I would feel implied that they thought it was ok. Of course, this is assuming that this is even covered.

Does anyone have any opinions about this?

[rhambling]

get protection plan, wait until it is active, call for service call saying signal loss. tech should arrive and notice that the pole is loose and install new one in the same spot.

or go buy a pole (be sure to match the outside diameter) and some concrete, install in ground yourself (make sure pole is level) and hope you get the satellite lined up. if not call DTV for signal loss.

my $0.02

[HDTVsportsfan]

Is that concrete only 4 inches thick like it looks. How deep does it go? I don't think DirecTV would take responsibility, but they might. Probably comes down to how flexiable the tech is when/if he comes out.

[GlennCoco]

Is that concrete only 4 inches thick like it looks. How deep does it go? I don't think DirecTV would take responsibility, but they might. Probably comes down to how flexiable the tech is when/if he comes out.

Yes, it really only goes about 4-5" deep. No wonder I am having problems right? If the dishes weren't on the pole connected with the cables, it would be no problem even for my 6 year old daughter to pull that pole out of the ground.

[HDTVsportsfan]

Yeah.....most installs use a minimum of 80LB bag. That should give you something 18-24 inch deep using a standard post hole digger diameter.

[GlennCoco]

Yeah.....most installs use a minimum of 80LB bag. That should give you something 18-24 inch deep using a standard post hole digger diameter.

Maybe they used an 80oz bag instead...

[GlennCoco]

So I know a lot of times when something goes wrong, I've been advised by people on this board to call DirecTV and just vaguely say there is a problem, not to mention anything specific, because if I mention whatever specifically caused the problem, I'll be told that it won't be covered under the plan.

Is this one of those times? Or should I tell them the reason I don't have signal is because of the pole?

[Birdman79]

Honestly you're better off installing a pole yourself,and calling DTV for loss of signal(assuming that you don't want to align the dish yourself).I've been to a few service calls where 2 to 3 techs showed up previously ,and were too lazy to put up a new pole.They'd tell the customer to call up for a dish relocate.I know service calls don't pay much,but you got to take the good with the bad.

[eakes]

This is really such an easy fix, I would not both with Directv. A couple of bags of cement, a posthole digger, wheel barrow, hoe and shovel, a level and less than 30 minutes of my time and the problem is fixed.

Directv may or may not agree to fix it and even if they did I would have to wait around at least two half days to get it fixed. I would opt to fix it myself and bypass the hassle with Directv and their installers.

[GTS]

First of all, I'm not sure if this is covered under my plan. Second of all, DirecTV actually never installed the pole. The pole was installed by Dish. When I made the switch away from Dish to DirecTV, they just used the same pole.

By using the existing pole and wiring the installer and by default Directv assumed the responsibility for the installation under the protection plan. If you have the protection plan as it sounds, simply let them know that the pole mount is loose and thus have no service. This will serve to let the tech know what to prepare for.

If you don't have the protection plan, check your bill for definite confirmation and since you already know how to do and have done the "hard" part of the job, the alignment, you can save yourself about $80.00 by doing the repair yourself.

Remove the dish and wiring from the pole. Remove the pole. Dig a new hole. Set your pole, make sure it is plumb, this is the critical part of the job, using a simple torpedo level. Pour in the cement. Verify that the pole is plumb. Let the concrete set. Remount and align the the dish. Secure the wiring to the pole. Now sit back and enjoy a job well done.

Good luck.

[toober]

If you decide to do it yourself, don't forget to do something to stop the pole from turning in the concrete. I know alot of people that flatten the pole for this reason, but a few of us have started using self tapping screws to attach the foot from a mast to the bottom of the pole.

[Tiger62]

Just replace the pole, yourself or pay someone to replace it! This WAS NOT Directv's fault and you know it. You let Dish get away with that installation...why should D* have to pay? Just do the right thing!

[toober]

Just replace the pole, yourself or pay someone to replace it! This WAS NOT Directv's fault and you know it. You let Dish get away with that installation...why should D* have to pay? Just do the right thing!

Unless the customer requested that the existing pole was to be used, the tech assumed all liability on the install when he signed the work order. I have reused poles on installs myself, always with the understanding that if there are any problems, I own that install. If I don't want to take responsibility for it, I'll sink my own pole right next to it.

[Tiger62]

Unless the customer requested that the existing pole was to be used, the tech assumed all liability on the install when he signed the work order.

To each his own, but if I *KNEW* that Dish did the poor installation in the first place, I'd have a herd time rationalizig that DirecTV should pay for fixing it...but maybe that's just me.

[GlennCoco]

To each his own, but if I *KNEW* that Dish did the poor installation in the first place, I'd have a herd time rationalizig that DirecTV should pay for fixing it...but maybe that's just me.

I can understand that, but don't you think that when the DirecTV installer came out for the job, if the previous install was inadequate, that he should have fixed it then?

[SledDog]

get protection plan, wait until it is active, call for service call saying signal loss. tech should arrive and notice that the pole is loose and install new one in the same spot.


Or the tech will look at the install and know it was done some time ago. I would bet this would not be covered by the protection plan. And it should not have to be. A DirecTV installer did not install the pole (per the OP), they only installed the dish on the pole. Why should DirecTV be on the hook for this problem?

Sounds like another case of someone advocating the "something for nothing" stuff that goes on all the time. I know I want my rates to go up becuases people are "using" the system...

Go get a bag of cement and a new pole. Dig the hole, plumb the pole. Mix and pour cement. If your dish had a signal before, it will again. Place the dish on the pole and rotate it until you get good signals. There are many folk on this board that will help you align the dish. All you have to do is ask.

Solid Signal even has videos on their website that are easy to understand and follow.

[TigersFanJJ]

I can understand that, but don't you think that when the DirecTV installer came out for the job, if the previous install was inadequate, that he should have fixed it then?

Hard to say. At the time of the install, it may have felt solid. It certainly would have looked solid because all the tech would have seen was the top of the concrete.

[jhillestad]

I love how a lot of people become lawyers and start claiming ' liability ' etc....

Its his house , its his pole , DTV does not own that pole... he does.... maybe he ran into it with his lawn mower... who knows.... Call them and have it fixed or let them install it somewhere else .... or fix the pole yourself ... but to play trickery and games is just the typical American way - its always someone else's fault.... Doesn't that pole actually belong to Dish ? shouldn't it been returned when he cancelled ? if not , then he owns it and is responsible for it and its upkeep.... just like my roof or flatdeck or soffett does dtv now take responsibility for that part of my house forever ?

Do like everyone else does.... just call them and say your signal sucks and act stupid...

[gto5830]

Honestly you're better off installing a pole yourself,and calling DTV for loss of signal(assuming that you don't want to align the dish yourself).I've been to a few service calls where 2 to 3 techs showed up previously ,and were too lazy to put up a new pole.They'd tell the customer to call up for a dish relocate.I know service calls don't pay much,but you got to take the good with the bad.

I just got bill with a service call charge of $80,which was for them to come out and install braces that should have been installed the first place. They said that because I was out of warraenty, the only thing that they could do was to give me a $60 credit if i signed up for protection plan for a year. I was told when i first called it would not cost me anything, as i could have done it myself for less than $10. Oh well live and learn. Will only cost me $100 to terminate the rest of my time so I think its time to look around.

[GlennCoco]

Its his house , its his pole , DTV does not own that pole... he does....

It's actually interesting that you mentioned this. As I mentioned in my original post, when I switched away from Dish to DirecTV, the DirecTV installer just ended up using the same pole. However, when I signed up with Dish a long time ago, the pole was already up. In fact, the Dish installer didn't even have to install new dishes. My upstairs neighbor Doug had Dish, so the installer just hooked up some nifty thing that allowed us both to use the same dishes. So I guess the pole belongs to my friend Doug, who has since moved away. Just kidding.

I guess now off-topic, do you guys know what happens when people who are sharing a dish like this call in for service? A few months ago I called about something and they said it would cost a lot of money to have something done. I think an icicle fell on the dish or something. Anyways, I asked them what would happen if we had one of those nifty dish-sharing deals like I had before, because my new upstairs neighbor has been thinking about getting DirecTV. She said whoever called first would have to pay. Is that fair? Anyways, I know that was off-topic. Just wondered.

[jhillestad]

It's actually interesting that you mentioned this. As I mentioned in my original post, when I switched away from Dish to DirecTV, the DirecTV installer just ended up using the same pole. However, when I signed up with Dish a long time ago, the pole was already up. In fact, the Dish installer didn't even have to install new dishes. My upstairs neighbor Doug had Dish, so the installer just hooked up some nifty thing that allowed us both to use the same dishes. So I guess the pole belongs to my friend Doug, who has since moved away. Just kidding.

I guess now off-topic, do you guys know what happens when people who are sharing a dish like this call in for service? A few months ago I called about something and they said it would cost a lot of money to have something done. I think an icicle fell on the dish or something. Anyways, I asked them what would happen if we had one of those nifty dish-sharing deals like I had before, because my new upstairs neighbor has been thinking about getting DirecTV. She said whoever called first would have to pay. Is that fair? Anyways, I know that was off-topic. Just wondered.


Well if the dish itself is messed up then you both would share the cost of the repair...

Now if your sharing the dish and setting up slave receivers in another residence ... well thats a whole other matter... signal theft....
I have never heard of sharing the same dish but I guess it makes sense in a small building... to avoid a bunch of dishes on the roof or side of a building... but that sounds more like a smatv type setup with the building... Now if this is 2 separate houses then I'm pretty sure that would be theft of service...

[GlennCoco]

Well if the dish itself is messed up then you both would share the cost of the repair...

Now if your sharing the dish and setting up slave receivers in another residence ... well thats a whole other matter... signal theft....
I have never heard of sharing the same dish but I guess it makes sense in a small building... to avoid a bunch of dishes on the roof or side of a building... but that sounds more like a smatv type setup with the building... Now if this is 2 separate houses then I'm pretty sure that would be theft of service...

It was an apartment complex. I'm not sure what it was called but the Dish guy told me it was legit, and used frequently in apartment complexes for the very reason you mentioned.

You said that if the dish itself was messed up, both would share the costs, but that isn't what the lady at DirecTV told me. She said it would be whoever called first.

[rucknrun]

They did not concrete my dish in. And they have since been out 2 times to put it back in.

[GlennCoco]

They did not concrete my dish in. And they have since been out 2 times to put it back in.

And did you have to pay both times for them to come back?

[TigersFanJJ]

It was an apartment complex. I'm not sure what it was called but the Dish guy told me it was legit, and used frequently in apartment complexes for the very reason you mentioned.

You said that if the dish itself was messed up, both would share the costs, but that isn't what the lady at DirecTV told me. She said it would be whoever called first.

It's legit with Directv as long as it is just the dish and multiswitch (if needed), and you are NOT sharing receivers off one account. Apartment dwellers often share a dish as the complex usually wants as few dishes as possible taking up community property. Unless it is one of those complexes that only allow a dish in your own personal space (patio).

The csr was correct in what she said to you. The person that sets up the service call is the one that gets billed for it. If you set up the service call, you will then need to ask your neighbor for half of the cost of the service call. Or better yet, get their half of the money before the service call so that you don't get stiffed.

[ironwood]

I would rely on DTV service call for a pole mount. If you lucky you'll get a good tech who will spend time to get a good job done. Most of the techs wont bother and would do a crappy job that you dont want. Plus any tech would be reluctant to remount the pole on a service call. Service call pays 15-20 bucks. Nobody wants to do messy pole mount for that. Best solution is to do a nice sturdy pole mount yourself, then call DTV and technician will be more than happy to take your dish from one pole and mount it on another, and properly align it, it takes 10 minutes. Plus your concrete will have time to harden.

[lordfam]

Or the tech will look at the install and know it was done some time ago. I would bet this would not be covered by the protection plan. And it should not have to be. A DirecTV installer did not install the pole (per the OP), they only installed the dish on the pole. Why should DirecTV be on the hook for this problem?

Sounds like another case of someone advocating the "something for nothing" stuff that goes on all the time. I know I want my rates to go up becuases people are "using" the system...

SledDog, I think you and others are missing a key point: When D* scheduled the initial install, the installer should have put in a new pole, but he didn't. He saved himself some time and D* some money (materials) by taking the easy way out. As far as I am concerned, D* still owes the OP a pole mount. It's time for them to cough it up.

[HDTVsportsfan]

There is nothing wrong with using an existing pole as long as that pole is secure and has strong integirty. Now in this case it certainly appears it shouldn't have been used.

However, a new pole shouldn't be automatically assumed. Not that the OP would do this but if a new was installed and the old pole was left behind then you have some peeps that would complain that they didn't remove the old one and take it with them. Can't win for losing on some of these.

[RobertE]

There is nothing wrong with using an existing pole as long as that pole is secure and has strong integirty. Now in this case it certainly appears it shouldn't have been used.

However, a new pole shouldn't be automatically assumed. Not that the OP would do this but if a new was installed and the old pole was left behind then you have some peeps that would complain that they didn't remove the old one and take it with them. Can't win for losing on some of these.

Pole removals are considered custom work. That will be $65. :grin: