Any suggestions I can share with the tech

[BlueGuy]

I am having pixilation problems on the 103c satellite. A tech is coming this afternoon and was hoping to get some ideas from you folks to share with him to ensure it isn't a wasted housecall.

My Set-up

I have a HR20-700 and an HR21-700 on two seperate HD TV's. A Zinwell WB68 mutiswitch. And a slimline dish

The Problem

I'm having occassional and severe pixalation on national channels originating on the 103c satellite. Problem does not occur on the 99c satellite. Issue happens on both TV's and both receivers. The pixalation I've witnessed has always been in the evening. I've noticed it between the hours of 7pm and 10pm. Pixalation usually lasts 5-30 minutes then everything goes back to normal. The pixilation can be slight break-up or it can get as bad as making the searching for satellite screen appear. When the problem occurs some transponders on the 103c will go from 90's to 0 and back again. many transponders keep 90+ levels throughout the problem but all 103c channels appear affected.

Ideas

I do not think this is as simple as a realignment issue. If it is a multiswitch or LNB issue can the technition check and find an issue with either when the problem is don't currently happening? Do they have tools to test multiswitch/LNB?

I guess my biggest concern is that the problem will not be fixed because it doesn't happen all the time. Any suggestions to help the probability of this being the only tech call I need would be appreciated. many thanks all!

[say-what]

If it's happening on both, could be wiring, bad switch, bad lnb.

Since it seems to be happening in the evening, I'd suspect the lnb is flakey (probably a moisture problem) and reacting to environmental changes. But it won't hurt to check all connections and the switch as well.

[BlueGuy]

If it's happening on both, could be wiring, bad switch, bad lnb.

Since it seems to be happening in the evening, I'd suspect the lnb is flakey (probably a moisture problem) and reacting to environmental changes. But it won't hurt to check all connections and the switch as well.

Any idea if the tech can tell if an LNB or switch is the problem when the issue isn't occuring at the time?

[eakes]

I vote for a defective LNB/switch assembly.

[w6fxj]

Another suggestion: Have the tech check your dish mounting to make sure it is solidly supported. Many quick installations are done without the necessary extra two support arms and often directly on the roof away from a underlying stud. The top of the dish should NOT move much when you push or pull it. If it moves more than 1/2-inch, you need better support. Ka-Band requires much tighter alignment. That often is the cause of pixelation when the wind blows.

If the dish is solidly installed, the dish might be pointed more towards 99 and less on 103. The two satellites are FOUR degrees apart! A careful alignment may fix things

[BlueGuy]

Another suggestion: Have the tech check your dish mounting to make sure it is solidly supported. Many quick installations are done without the necessary extra two support arms and often directly on the roof away from a underlying stud. The top of the dish should NOT move much when you push or pull it. If it moves more than 1/2-inch, you need better support. Ka-Band requires much tighter alignment. That often is the cause of pixelation when the wind blows.

If the dish is solidly installed, the dish might be pointed more towards 99 and less on 103. The two satellites are FOUR degrees apart! A careful alignment may fix things


The tech has been here and gone. He came, I explained the issue, suggested the LNB. He went on the roof for about 2 minutes, came back down and explained it had to either be the switch or the LNB. Since he had no LNB with him he changed the switch and gave me his phone number. He told me to call him directly should the new switch not fix it and he will come swap out the LNB for a new one.

He told me there is no way to check the LNB or the multiswitch when the problem is not occuring at the time.

I hope the new switch clears the issue but, given the problem occurs at night when things get dark, cold I suspect he'll have to come back.

[BattleZone]

The tech is right; there's no way for him to check the LNB for that kind of issue. That kind of thing would require much more sophisticated, expensive lab-grade equipment; nothing that an installer would ever have.

But... he should have changed out the LNB. It *might* be the switch, but the issues you describe are most commonly a flaky LNB.