Loss of signal on Seattle HD locals

[RehabMan]

Perhaps somebody can tell me what satellite/transponder my Seattle HD locals are on, so I can investigate further. Suddenly I have lost them. I still have the other HD channels [mpeg2 in 70's -and- mpeg4 in 200's 300's]. I still have SD locals from Seattle. Also, I am able to tune into the channels, but I get a black picture with the correct 720p/1080i signal to the TV [so it is not a guide-data/authorization problem].

Hardware involved:
- BBCs are installed. I have tried swapping them out [I happened to have 2 extra laying around] and have same issue.
- HR20-700, both inputs wired directly to the antenna [no multiswitch other than the one built in to LNB]
- Slimline5 AU9, only two outputs from LNB used

From some searching on this site, I see that the Seattle locals might be on the 99 (s). I gather the (s) means spot-beam. Signal levels are:

99(s)
1-8 0 0 0 0 0 0 NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA 98 22
17-24 0 0 0 25 0 0 98 0
25-32 all NA

99(c)
1-8 high-mid 80's
9-16 high-80s/low 90's, with last 15&16 NA
17-24 all NA
25-32 all NA

I wonder if the LNB may have failed [or the multiswitch in the LNB]. I will order a new LNB from solidsignal.com if I can confirm that is the likely cause.

Last time I checked [in September -- I've been away for a while] this was working so something has changed in the last few months.

Any ideas?? Anything else I should check before ordering a new LNB?

[skyboysea]

Where are you located? The reading you have are reading for Spokane, not for Seattle. Seattle HD locals are on transponders 16 and 20, Spokane is on 15 and 23 both from D11 located at 99W.
Both locals have been moved from the Spaceway sat to D11 two weeks ago but that is not affecting you if you are in Bellingham.
See http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1893215&postcount=135 for a screenshot of readings taken in Bellingham when the switch happened.

[RehabMan]

Where are you located? The reading you have are reading for Spokane, not for Seattle. Seattle HD locals are on transponders 16 and 20, Spokane is on 15 and 23 both from D11 located at 99W.
Both locals have been moved from the Spaceway sat to D11 two weeks ago but that is not affecting you if you are in Bellingham.
See http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1893215&postcount=135 for a screenshot of readings taken in Bellingham when the switch happened.
First of all, thanks for posting this response. I was wondering if it could be some change at DirecTV's end.

This is from my RV located near [slightly northeast of] Kamloops, BC Canada. Seattle HD locals have previously worked from this location [must have been still inside the spot-beam]. I wonder if the change from spaceway to D11 has botched my reception of Seattle locals from this location. Certainly sounds like it. If so, that's a bummer.

Sounds like, from what you are saying, that I might be able to pick up Spokane locals in this location. I wonder what DirecTV's response to that might be?? The other option would be the national HD networks... Time to do some reading on options for RV setups on DirecTV's website, I guess.

[carl6]

Kamloops could well be stretching the spot beam. Further, technically, you are not allowed to receive DirecTV programming outside the US, so there is nothing you can do to pursue that particular issue.

As to RV use, you can apply for an RV account with west coast DNS.

Without chaning your service address, there is no way you could get Spokane locals.

[bsprague]

Sounds like, from what you are saying, that I might be able to pick up Spokane locals in this location. I wonder what DirecTV's response to that might be?? The other option would be the national HD networks... Time to do some reading on options for RV setups on DirecTV's website, I guess.
On the rv.net forum some have reported that DirecTV will change locations for RVs with a phone call. However, you can't call DirecTV from Canada because the 800 number won't work there! It is a long story, but I learned that by trying to fix a billing issue.

To get the DNS (Distant Network Service) you get the waiver form from the DirecTV website, fill it out and mail it in. Then wait a few weeks for it to process.

The process can be confusing. With 16,000,000 customers and only a relatively few "mobile accounts" the customer service reps are easily confused. On trick is to continue to use the words "Recreational Vehicle", not motorhome or trailer, when you ask for a mobile account. I'm not exactly sure, but I think you can get your entire account designated as "mobile" and your house receivers become the "extra bedrooms".

Most RVers that I know have one account. I don't know if they are designated as "mobile" or not. The DNS is about $12. With DNS I get both East and West Coast SD on the RV DVR and the two receivers in my condo. I also get West Coast HD for the HD DVR in the condo. Some say I'm not supposed to get the DNS in the condo and only get it in the RV. Others say I'm supposed to have two accounts...one for the RV and one for the condo.

[1948GG]

From some searching on this site, I see that the Seattle locals might be on the 99 (s). I gather the (s) means spot-beam. Signal levels are:

99(s)
1-8 0 0 0 0 0 0 NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA 98 22
17-24 0 0 0 25 0 0 98 0
25-32 all NA

99(c)
1-8 high-mid 80's
9-16 high-80s/low 90's, with last 15&16 NA
17-24 all NA
25-32 all NA



As other have noted, the Seattle HD spotbeams are now on DirecTV11/99s, 16/20. The 'beam' should be tilted slightly south (the DMA goes almost all the way to the Oregon/Columbia River on the extreme western end) while the Spokane DMA is, like many rural DMA's, is a very large expanse both east/west and north/south, which is why those readings (15/23) look pretty good. Since you had gotten the Spaceway2 beams previously, the ones from DirecTV11 have apparently 'tightened up' quite a bit. You may have to drop to SD, but you didn't list the 101 (18/28) may be a bit more 'sloppy'.

FYI, when both Seattle and Spokane switched over to DirecTV11 the other week, the Spokane readings here in Seattle went from around low 20's to almost 50 or so, so that shows how 'wider' the beam (from DirecTV11) is for that DMA.

I used to have the SD RV national networks years ago, but gave them up long before things went HD. Especially now that all the RSN's are on national beams (both SD and HD), I see little need. But if I ever take the leap and move to the southern Oregon coast for 'ultimate' retirement, I may have to look again.

[RehabMan]

As other have noted, the Seattle HD spotbeams are now on DirecTV11/99s, 16/20. The 'beam' should be tilted slightly south (the DMA goes almost all the way to the Oregon/Columbia River on the extreme western end) while the Spokane DMA is, like many rural DMA's, is a very large expanse both east/west and north/south, which is why those readings (15/23) look pretty good. Since you had gotten the Spaceway2 beams previously, the ones from DirecTV11 have apparently 'tightened up' quite a bit. You may have to drop to SD, but you didn't list the 101 (18/28) may be a bit more 'sloppy'.

FYI, when both Seattle and Spokane switched over to DirecTV11 the other week, the Spokane readings here in Seattle went from around low 20's to almost 50 or so, so that shows how 'wider' the beam (from DirecTV11) is for that DMA.

I used to have the SD RV national networks years ago, but gave them up long before things went HD. Especially now that all the RSN's are on national beams (both SD and HD), I see little need. But if I ever take the leap and move to the southern Oregon coast for 'ultimate' retirement, I may have to look again.

101(18/28) are at 89/85, so probably not a big drop-off there.