SWM Install is Saturday What do I tell Installer

[bbrookfield]

I should have my SWM delivered on Thursday in time for my Saturday morning install. My worry is that the Install tech (Mastec) will freak out if I ask to install the SWM as they have not had training on the SWM. If I just let the tech install the normal switches, they will use all 4 lines from my dish back to my distribution box rather then the 1 line that will go back when using the SWM.

My question is do I just allow the tech to install as normal then go back later and re-wire or should I try and force the issue. My guess is to first ask and see what kind of resistance the tech raises, but thought I would ask the group.

Also might be good to have a Backup wiring option if the SWM should go bad

Thanks

[Michael D'Angelo]

I would just ask the install to do it for you and if he says he can't than let it go and do it yourself.

Honestly if you have a cable that you can run from the SWM to the distribution box I would do that before he comes out and just ask him to connect the four lines from the dish to it.

[MIAMI1683]

I should have my SWM delivered on Thursday in time for my Saturday morning install. My worry is that the Install tech (Mastec) will freak out if I ask to install the SWM as they have not had training on the SWM. If I just let the tech install the normal switches, they will use all 4 lines from my dish back to my distribution box rather then the 1 line that will go back when using the SWM.

My question is do I just allow the tech to install as normal then go back later and re-wire or should I try and force the issue. My guess is to first ask and see what kind of resistance the tech raises, but thought I would ask the group.

Also might be good to have a Backup wiring option if the SWM should go bad

Thanks

Some of them have been trained in SWM's. He may install it fot you if you ask. That may depend on how "tekkie" he is. If he does remember to give him a tip. He doesn't have to do it.

[CJTE]

I agree w/ Mr. D'Angelo.

In my experience, sometimes, so long as everything works, the techs are happy. However, since they are responsible for the job, they may require that you let them install it their way.

Lets say you get 771 between now and the 90 day mark, that's a charge-back to the tech for incorrect install... So, they may wanna make sure its done "right" before you do whatever you're doing.

[houskamp]

In my case I had the SWM and lines in place to reciever..
This way al he had to do was install the dish and hook it to the SWM input..
This kept it simple for him and still allowed him to verify that all was working before he left..

[Koz]

I used the Mover's Connection a couple months ago and explained the SWM to the technician. He had heard it was coming, but had no idea how it worked. I, on the other hand, have no idea how to install a dish. So between the two of us, we figured everything out.

I overheard him talking with his technician buddies a couple times and he was really excited about getting to work with it. It also saved him a little climbing under the house and hole drilling. He did a great job and I gave him a nice tip.

Just my experience....

[bbrookfield]

I used the Mover's Connection a couple months ago and explained the SWM to the technician. He had heard it was coming, but had no idea how it worked. I, on the other hand, have no idea how to install a dish. So between the two of us, we figured everything out.

I overheard him talking with his technician buddies a couple times and he was really excited about getting to work with it. It also saved him a little climbing under the house and hole drilling. He did a great job and I gave him a nice tip.

Just my experience....

A tech that is interested... That is what I am hoping will happen. I already have 4 cables running to the outside for the Dish connection from a central box with AC and all the cables from each room. The tech does not have to run any cables at all. If we use the SWM, then I will only need to use 1 of the 4 cables going to the dish as the SWM will be mounted under the dish and the 1x4 splitter will be setup inside the central box with the PI.

If the tech will not do this, then I will ask if he can make up 4 short runs so that I can connect the SWM afterwords. Then all i need to do is replace the original splitter with the SWM 1x4 splitter. does not sound like a big deal.

Thanks to all for the feedback

Cheers,

Bill B

[saluki]

So, Bill. How did the install go?

[bbrookfield]

So, Bill. How did the install go?

Good and BAD. The Installer knew nothing about the SWM so I had to teach him (Blind Leading the Blind), We got it all installed and everything worked. The Tech did not do a good job of Alignment as my sat readings on 103c were only 70-85. But he was in a hurry and said that they were acceptable.

That very night we had a light rain and as expected, I lost all my national HD's. I called Mastec the next day and they sent out another tech to (TWEAK) the dish. When the new tech started the alignment, He said the last tech never tightened the lock down bolts and the dish was out of alignment. He spend about 5 minutes saying he was doing the dither method, but it did not look like it to me (I watched the videos). In any case he was able to get it a bit better. But i thought it still could be improved as I had seen number for this area that were in the mid to upper 90's. Both tech's never ran a ground cable from the dish They said it was not required.

Again I let it go. I nver called D* because I did not want the techs to have a charge back (Try to keep good relations)

I plan on tryng to tweak the dish myself using the weakest 103c tp tomorrow, but there is no audio feedback on the new Hr21-200 so i plan on using a small tv that I will move to the porch so I can see the signal level meters.

I am now trying to find a external OTA antenna since I just got my AM-21. I have it all wired up and was able to test using a cheap amplified Indoor antenna connected to the SWM and diplexors at my downstairs HR-21 and it worked.

I have a question on using an AMPLIFIED OTA with a SMW, but will post it as a new thread.

Bill B