Some HD channels breaking up/ bad service call

[jn35]

We began having problems with reception of several HD channels about 3-4 weeks ago with channels

72 and (209)
74 and (259)
79
86
88

these channels began breaking up and sometimes not coming in at all, similar to what you would see during a heavy rain and we would receive the on screen message "Searching for signal on Satellite In 2...(771)". All our other channels come in perfectly.

We called DirecTV and had a service call, the repairman said our problem was a tree in the way and if we took out the tree we wouldn't have a problem. I thought this was unlikely after going up on the roof and looking at the angle which seemed clear and the fact that the leaves have been out for about 3 months and the problem just started recently, and the installer seemed very inexperienced.

Well, I removed the tree and it didn't change the reception problem. When I called back DirecTV the people I've spoken to weren't helpful. Would anyone possibly have experienced a similar problem or know the cause and possible solution? Thank you very much for any info.

[Michael D'Angelo]

You may have a bad LNB. What are your transponder signals on SAT 119? (I believe they are on 119. They may be on 110).

[davring]

Also if you have the old style dish with a separate 110/119 LNB attached off to the side, check the short cables attaching it to the main LNB assembly.

[deboxer1]

Have you tried switching cables (leave bbc's in place) to see if it follows the cable or the tune? If it stays with the tuner now switch bbc,s. If it still follows the tuner, check the connectors at the ground block and/or multiswitch. Remove them and visually inspect for any corrosion or improperly terminated connectors. Also inspect the exterior of the coax runs for damaged, kinks , or crimps.

[jn35]

Thank you very much for helping to troubleshoot this, I'm pretty sure we have the most recent HD dish, I just found and checked the Satellite 119 test, it mostly varies between 53-59% but sometimes drops to nothing and says "not acquired".

I checked some other satellite signals too and 99 (s) is even lower and is between 43-45%, does this help find the problem?

[deboxer1]

Sounds likes your dish needs to be realigned. What kind of mount is it, roof or pole mount?

[Jeremy W]

I checked some other satellite signals too and 99 (s) is even lower and is between 43-45%, does this help find the problem?
99(s) isn't important, but your poor signals on 119 are what's causing this problem. It appears your dish has been knocked out of alignment.

[deboxer1]

What are your signal strength levels on the 103 (c) and the 101 ?

[Upstream]

We called DirecTV and had a service call, the repairman said our problem was a tree in the way and if we took out the tree we wouldn't have a problem. I thought this was unlikely after going up on the roof and looking at the angle which seemed clear and the fact that the leaves have been out for about 3 months and the problem just started recently, and the installer seemed very inexperienced.

Well, I removed the tree and it didn't change the reception problem.

You got one opinion from an installer you didn't trust, and you didn't believe that the tree was the problem, but you went through the effort and expense to remove the tree anyway?

[m4p]

You got one opinion from an installer you didn't trust, and you didn't believe that the tree was the problem, but you went through the effort and expense to remove the tree anyway?

I was surprised to read this too. I would definitely recommend a realignment and a check of the LNB. I had a similar problem and it was indeed a bad LNB.

[jn35]

103 (c) and the 101 are good, both vary between 89-95%

You got one opinion from an installer you didn't trust, and you didn't believe that the tree was the problem, but you went through the effort and expense to remove the tree anyway?

Yes, I went against my gut feeling, dumb move, at least it was only a 9" diameter tree and I cut it myself, so I'm not out any money, just a lot of effort.

The installer said our dish pointing was good, not sure if I should trust him on this but hopefully he can't be this incompetent. It sounds like a good idea to check the cables and connectors at the ground block and multiswitch for corrosion, thanks gdeboxer1, I'll take a look.

[jn35]

Sounds likes your dish needs to be realigned. What kind of mount is it, roof or pole mount?


It's a roof mount. The cables and connectors seem to be good, no corrosion, do you need any special equipment to check the alignment and LNB? I'm just learning this as I go along.

[Jeremy W]

It's a roof mount. The cables and connectors seem to be good, no corrosion, do you need any special equipment to check the alignment and LNB? I'm just learning this as I go along.
You check the alignment by checking the signal strength. How are your 110 signals? The 110/119 LNB arm could be loose.

[deboxer1]

Is the dish a slimline or sidecar? You can make some adjustments your self if you feel confident to go out on the roof. Review the videos to setup align the kaku dish ( you can link/access at Solid Signal) Check your settings for your zip code from the IRD setup menu. Write these down. The settings on the dish should almost match them. First use a marker to mark the settings on the dish, the tilt(skew) elevation, and azimuth. This is your reference marks. You will need an 1/2" speed wrench (13 mm works too) A helper at this point would be beneficial. Be sure you understand the fine adjustments from the video. Most dish misalignments are the dish shifted in azimuth, and or the mast is no longer level and plumb.

[deboxer1]

Make sure to retighten all bolts, good time to check the bolts on the monopoles also. If you do this and get your signals to acceptable levels. Make new reference marks on the dish, and run a self tapping screw through the back assembly where it attaches to the mast.

[jn35]

Thanks again guys, the 110 signals are good, around 95%. The menu says my dish type is 5 LNB, Multi-sat.

I did notice when I went to test the 119 that I could switch to different transponders, I'm not sure what this does but I found that transponder 22 was the highest at 60-61%. I selected "done" on this transponder and the picture seems to be a little more consistent with less breaking up but it's still not solid.

Going up on my roof is easy, so if it looks like I've done everything I can from the inside I'll check it out after lunch if it's not too hot, thanks again for all the help. :cool:

[Jeremy W]

I did notice when I went to test the 119 that I could switch to different transponders, I'm not sure what this does but I found that transponder 22 was the highest at 60-61%. I selected "done" on this transponder and the picture seems to be a little more consistent with less breaking up but it's still not solid.
Each transponder is sending down a different set of channels. All you're doing when you're switching transponders on that screen is checking the signal level for each one.