Question about 101 signal strengths

[VOLBEAT]

I just checked my signal strength for the heck of it. I haven't had any problems, but just like to check it periodically. Anyway, my 101 numbers are a little lower than they have been. We do have light rain here today in northern california, but I did notice that almost all my odd tp's are in the 80's, and even are in the 90's. The numbers aren't terrible, but lower, and just wondering what significance, if any the odd/even tp thing has. Here are my numbers:
101
85 92 81 97 82 97 85 97
83 95 83 97 84 99 84 99
86 0 84 100 83 99 87 98
91 0 93 0 91 98 86 99

This is what they were in july, when I moved and aimed the dish:

101
95 96 92 100 92 99 95 98
95 96 94 100 95 99 92 100
95 0 89 100 90 99 93 98
95 0 95 0 95 99 91 100


Thanks in advance!

[curt8403]

I just checked my signal strength for the heck of it. I haven't had any problems, but just like to check it periodically. Anyway, my 101 numbers are a little lower than they have been. We do have light rain here today in northern california, but I did notice that almost all my odd tp's are in the 80's, and even are in the 90's. The numbers aren't terrible, but lower, and just wondering what significance, if any the odd/even tp thing has. Here are my numbers:
101
85 92 81 97 82 97 85 97
83 95 83 97 84 99 84 99
86 0 84 100 83 99 87 98
91 0 93 0 91 98 86 99

This is what they were in july, when I moved and aimed the dish:

101
95 96 92 100 92 99 95 98
95 96 94 100 95 99 92 100
95 0 89 100 90 99 93 98
95 0 95 0 95 99 91 100


Thanks in advance!

those numbers seem to indicate a developing issue with either a loose connection or a bit of corrosion. remember that half the transponders work at 13V and half at 18V. the 18 V will work with a voltage drop (say to 16V) but the same drop on the 13V puts it a bit too weak. Just check your connections to be sure they are clean, straight and dry inside

[VOLBEAT]

O.k. when it stops raining, I'll do that. I'd find it almost impossible to believe any moisture got into those connectors, but you never know. If they're dry and clean, then what? Any other possibilties? I just want to know all the options so I can fine tune this when the weather breaks.

[LameLefty]

It's possible you have a bad LNB developing as well.

[VOLBEAT]

It's possible you have a bad LNB developing as well.

O.k. thanks. I've been meaning to order a spare just to have around anyway.

[Grentz]

O.k. when it stops raining, I'll do that. I'd find it almost impossible to believe any moisture got into those connectors, but you never know. If they're dry and clean, then what? Any other possibilties? I just want to know all the options so I can fine tune this when the weather breaks.

Is it raining right now when you are taking those signal readings? Or any bit of cloud cover, even in the distance?

All could lead to slight drops in signal strength.

[LameLefty]

Is it raining right now when you are taking those signal readings? Or any bit of cloud cover, even in the distance?

All could lead to slight drops in signal strength.

I wouldn't expect drops on just odd transponders from 101 due to cloud cover or rain.

[VOLBEAT]

I wouldn't expect drops on just odd transponders from 101 due to cloud cover or rain.

That was my thought as well.......I've checked it many times during rain, and have seen consistent drops on all tp's, but not just odd or even.

[curt8403]

O.k. when it stops raining, I'll do that. I'd find it almost impossible to believe any moisture got into those connectors, but you never know. If they're dry and clean, then what? Any other possibilties? I just want to know all the options so I can fine tune this when the weather breaks.

do you have just one rcvr or more than one.
more than one and readings on all units like you posted could be (Low Probability) a bad Switch. I suspect however that it is just one lose connection

[Grentz]

I wouldn't expect drops on just odd transponders from 101 due to cloud cover or rain.

Some of the evens are down a bit as well, so I thought I would ask ;)

[curt8403]

Some of the evens are down a bit as well, so I thought I would ask ;)


3 - 4 points vs 10 points?

[VOLBEAT]

do you have just one rcvr or more than one.
more than one and readings on all units like you posted could be (Low Probability) a bad Switch. I suspect however that it is just one lose connection
I have 2 receivers.....the HR21, and an old hughes in the bedroom. Guess I should check the 101 on that receiver as well, and see if it is relatively the same numbers as the HR21. That would indicate possibly a bad lnb, correct?

[curt8403]

I have 2 receivers.....the HR21, and an old hughes in the bedroom. Guess I should check the 101 on that receiver as well, and see if it is relatively the same numbers as the HR21. That would indicate possibly a bad lnb, correct?

I would indeed check 101 on the hughes

[VOLBEAT]

O.k. checked the 101 on the Hughes, and the 101 on the HR21 again:

101 (Hughes)
91 90 84 97 88 96 91 93
88 92 87 97 89 97 83 96
90 0 86 100 85 96 86 96
90 0 92 0 86 96 86 96


101 (HR21)
88 92 83 97 85 97 86 97
88 95 85 97 88 99 85 99
90 0 85 100 86 98 88 97
93 0 94 0 94 98 86 99

Though they seem fairly consistent with each other,there still seems to be a pattern with the odd tp's..... to me anyway, but please, anyone that sees different, or confirms what I see, I'm all ears. Like I said, not having picture problems right now, but since I noticed this pattern, I'd like to figure out what it means and resolve the problem before it's worse.

[curt8403]

O.k. checked the 101 on the Hughes, and the 101 on the HR21 again:

101 (Hughes)
91 90 84 97 88 96 91 93
88 92 87 97 89 97 83 96
90 0 86 100 85 96 86 96
90 0 92 0 86 96 86 96


101 (HR21)
88 92 83 97 85 97 86 97
88 95 85 97 88 99 85 99
90 0 85 100 86 98 88 97
93 0 94 0 94 98 86 99

Though they seem fairly consistent with each other,there still seems to be a pattern with the odd tp's..... to me anyway, but please, anyone that sees different, or confirms what I see, I'm all ears. Like I said, not having picture problems right now, but since I noticed this pattern, I'd like to figure out what it means and resolve the problem before it's worse.

do you have a multiswitch or a swm in your system if so the issue is between the switch and the dish. no switch or swm it is the LNB

[VOLBEAT]

do you have a multiswitch or a swm in your system if so the issue is between the switch and the dish. no switch or swm it is the LNB

Nope, I'm straight from the lnb, using 3 of the 4 outputs.......very straightforward. You think it's more likely the lnb now?

[curt8403]

Nope, I'm straight from the lnb, using 3 of the 4 outputs.......very straightforward. You think it's more likely the lnb now?
LNB about 98% likely. get a spare.

I see that 3 lnb ka KU dishes are now standard install.

[VOLBEAT]

LNB about 98% likely. get a spare.


Yep. I checked Ebay earlier........waiting for reponses about the brands, as I want a WNC like I now have. I'm almost just as well off buying another complete slimline, as it's amost as much by the time you pay for the lnb and shipping. My dish has a few scratches and is starting to rust anyway......

[Grentz]

Yep. I checked Ebay earlier........waiting for reponses about the brands, as I want a WNC like I now have. I'm almost just as well off buying another complete slimline, as it's amost as much by the time you pay for the lnb and shipping. My dish has a few scratches and is starting to rust anyway......

Really? I have seen SL5 LNBs for around $20-$30 and the complete dish setups are usually around $80-$100.

[VOLBEAT]

Really? I have seen SL5 LNBs for around $20-$30 and the complete dish setups are usually around $80-$100.
There are a few slimlines on Ebay right now for under $60.00 with shipping included, but that's still half the cost of a lnb. I'll probably but just the lnb, because I don't want to spend more than necessary, unless I see a deal on a compete dish that I just can't pass up.

[VOLBEAT]

LNB about 98% likely.



Another thing I noticed is that it doesn't appear that this "lower numbers on odd or even transponders" thing is across the board on every sat.Is that typical in this situation? Just curious, as it is only apparent with the 101.

[David MacLeod]

look, I may be way off but have you tried tweaking? you said you noticed this but were having no issues. if this were something broken I think you would have issues.
IIRC a tilt issue had been reported to occasionally cause some odd/even reports like this.

[curt8403]

look, I may be way off but have you tried tweaking? you said you noticed this but were having no issues. if this were something broken I think you would have issues.
IIRC a tilt issue had been reported to occasionally cause some odd/even reports like this.

tilt will never affect 101 readings on a KaKu

[curt8403]

Another thing I noticed is that it doesn't appear that this "lower numbers on odd or even transponders" thing is across the board on every sat.Is that typical in this situation? Just curious, as it is only apparent with the 101.

each sat has it's own lnb in the lnb assembly, only the one for the 101 is going bad.

[David MacLeod]

tilt will never affect 101 readings on a KaKu
ok, but my point is instead of first replacing parts the most basic item might want to be checked, and that is aim.
takes minutes and will rule it out.
nowhere here, and I may have missed it, have I read that checking aim was attempted.

[VOLBEAT]

ok, but my point is instead of first replacing parts the most basic item might want to be checked, and that is aim.
takes minutes and will rule it out.
nowhere here, and I may have missed it, have I read that checking aim was attempted.

No I didn't, since it was only the odd # tp's on one sat apparently being affected......that's why I posted the question here. No one else has suggested tweaking the dish, that's why I won't. If you looked at the numbers I had in July that have held steady, why would I want to mess with it, when it doesn't appear to be the problem?

[LameLefty]

Please let us know what happens when the 101 LNB is changed. And then remember who suggested an LNB problem in the first place. ;)

[VOLBEAT]

Please let us know what happens when the 101 LNB is changed. And then remember who suggested an LNB problem in the first place. ;)

Will do.......and thanks to both of you:)

[VOLBEAT]

Turns out these low numbers I'm seeing may be related to the latest firmware upgrade, according to this thead
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1873782#post1873782
If I take the BBC off and check the signal on that tuner without it, my odd TP numbers go right back up into the 90's like they had been......put it back on, they're down 7-10 points on the odd TP's. It's obviously coincidental that my odd TP numbers are a little low on my old hughes receiver. It has some pretty old connectors on it's cable, so that would explain that. I'll still order a spare lnb, but doesn't appear to be the problem.