Install In Progress...

[dirtyblueshirt]

The D* Installer arrived a few minutes ago, in possibly the worst weather San Diego could have... high winds and pouring rain...

Despite the work order, looks like I'm not getting the new Slimline dish, but instead, what I like to call "The Big-Ass Dish™".

He is DirecTV though, not a contractor.

Though he's not sure what model boxes he has in the truck. Stay Tuned.

The Dish:
http://flickr.com/photos/ssbn737rm/3111393442/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/3111393442_10b071c555.jpg

[Mertzen]

TDespite the work order, looks like I'm not getting the new Slimline dish, but instead, what I like to call "The Big-Ass Dish™".
That's a slimline alright. Looks like he'll align with a 5 LNB and then replace it with 3LNB SWM.


He is DirecTV though, not a contractor.
Yup, as seen by the big ole' mess in his truck.

[dirtyblueshirt]

That's a slimline alright. Looks like he'll align with a 5 LNB and then replace it with 3LNB SWM.

You're right, I went out to see where he was installing it (hopefully the HOA Gods approve) and it is indeed. I originally asked him if he was using the slimline and he said "no, I have a 1m dish in the truck", which I thought was the massive rectangular thing my Uncle had installed in Hayward (he was early on the DTV HD Bandwagon)

New photos: (I'll have some higher quality shots later after the install when I can get my digital camera out there without soaking it)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/3111413068_c33b12e998_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/3110593207_b68f80a763.jpg

[dirtyblueshirt]

Well, a short pause as my installer gets a change of clothes (lives closeby, apparently) but the dish is set up and the receivers have been brought up... two spankin' new HR-23's. Boxes slightly damp.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3111469046_89dbbf04e4.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/3111469370_1afba7f9f6.jpg

[Mertzen]

WTF why is he up so high. Unless a tree is in the way. Already see a QC fail. OOPS can't help it.

[dirtyblueshirt]

WTF why is he up so high. Unless a tree is in the way. Already see a QC fail. OOPS can't help it.

Proximity to the roof vent to string the cable. The HOA wants "no permanent damage to the structure" and of course, aesthetics are key to any anal HOA. Otherwise, no trees in the way on that side of the building, just a clear shot to Tijuana.

edit: the roof vent on the right side above the 3rd window is the neighbor's condo. the left two windows are mine.

[dirtyblueshirt]

One receiver in... a second line prepped (future) and now to fish the new line to the living room (the old cable path is inaccessible and the wire is still needed for my cable modem)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/3110801755_31330567fc.jpg

[dirtyblueshirt]

update: The gruntwork of the install is complete, everything looks great, the installer was very professional and neat.

The setup, on the other hand, is taking longer... something about the boxes not recognizing the SWM setup... he's replacing the power inserter and splitter now...

edit: he's going back up on the roof to swap out the LNB. It's still pouring and very windy. This guy deserves credit!

[Mertzen]

The setup, on the other hand, is taking longer... something about the boxes not recognizing the SWM setup... he's replacing the power inserter and splitter now...


Make sure he first power the PI and then the boxes. And one by one.

[dirtyblueshirt]

Make sure he first power the PI and then the boxes. And one by one.

That he has. he's going up to replace the LNB now (as the rain pummels my window)

[firefighter4evr]

Well, a short pause as my installer gets a change of clothes (lives closeby, apparently) but the dish is set up and the receivers have been brought up... two spankin' new HR-23's. Boxes slightly damp.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3111469046_89dbbf04e4.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/3111469370_1afba7f9f6.jpg

:love1: :love1: :love1: :love1: :love1: :love1: :love1: :love1: :love1: :love1:

Can i come over for awhile or umm... move in?? :lol:

[dirtyblueshirt]

All Done! It was a 4.5 hour install and he swapped out the dish, LNB, PI, and splitter, but we're all good!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/3112045914_f8afa33ccf.jpg

[BattleZone]

4.5 hours, huh? What about the other 3-5 installs he had scheduled for the day?

[dirtyblueshirt]

who knows... at least my setup is working though! :grin:

[firefighter4evr]

4.5 hours, huh? What about the other 3-5 installs he had scheduled for the day?


They are the people on the phone with D* right now pissing about " Where the hell is my tech at!!!"....:lol: :lol:

[davemayo]

They are the people on the phone with D* right now pissing about " Where the hell is my tech at!!!"....:lol: :lol:

They'll soon be posting here the same complaint!!

[Mertzen]

All Done! It was a 4.5 hour install and he swapped out the dish, LNB, PI, and splitter, but we're all good!
Not sure why the dish would go???

[RobertE]

SWM signals will drop to zero during a rain fade event. He probably swapped all that stuff and got soaked again for nothing. :(

[SDizzle]

Hope you tipped him nice?!?!?

[thespaceghost]

Wasn't DTV having rain fade uplink issues on the west coast today?

[dirtyblueshirt]

Not sure why the dish would go???

He said he wanted to make sure to change everything out to rule out any possibilities, he was still getting a weak signal after swapping out the LNB (I would have guessed rain, it was a big storm)

Hope you tipped him nice?!?!?

Yes. turns out he also did the wall fish for free... saved me $75 on that...

[dirtyblueshirt]

And my main Living Room setup, with my TV, DirecTV HR23-700, Xbox 360 (with beleaguered HD-DVD Drive), Region-Free DVD/DiVX player, Mac Mini (digital video server), Hard Drive for the videos, Cable Modem, Sony 6.1 Receiver, and Apple AirPort Extreme. (among other sundry items)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/3112475920_21edabae61.jpg

[joe diamond]

Sir,
The weather conditions here will block your signal during the time necessary to activate your equipment. They don't pay me enough to climb on a roof during a rain event. It is even dangerous to carry a ladder on wet grass. Connecting electrical equipment while it is wet could damage the equipment or injure me.
I am not going to attempt your installation now.

I will be in this area today and if conditions improve I will attempt to return and begin your installation. I would suggest you find some old sheets or towels to put near the door to stop mud from entering your home.


...No, I am not sorry for the inconvenience. I didn't make it rain.


Did I miss something?

Joe

[dirtyblueshirt]

Did I miss something?

Joe

Possibly. Could you elaborate on your post?

[curt8403]

Possibly. Could you elaborate on your post?

Joe is one of those people that we call installers. He is saying that your installer went so Far above and Beyond the call of duty, that you should be eternally grateful for what was done.

[dirtyblueshirt]

Joe is one of those people that we call installers. He is saying that your installer went so Far above and Beyond the call of duty, that you should be eternally grateful for what was done.

Ah, I see... Believe me, I was very grateful. I fully expected a cancellation... he was tipped well, though!

[dirtyblueshirt]

As promised, the skies cleared today, and here's the final install:

http://flickr.com/photos/ssbn737rm/sets/72157611259042203/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/3114118070_537345a4b1.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/3114118198_d7dbfd6773.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3114118356_aaf9684936.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/3113288277_bee98723c9.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/3113288513_4c7d5b21b3.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/3113288781_1431752195.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/3113289077_dffd4eb212.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/3113289357_6b92b42ee2.jpg

[idigg]

Sir,
The weather conditions here will block your signal during the time necessary to activate your equipment. They don't pay me enough to climb on a roof during a rain event. It is even dangerous to carry a ladder on wet grass. Connecting electrical equipment while it is wet could damage the equipment or injure me.
I am not going to attempt your installation now.

I will be in this area today and if conditions improve I will attempt to return and begin your installation. I would suggest you find some old sheets or towels to put near the door to stop mud from entering your home.


...No, I am not sorry for the inconvenience. I didn't make it rain.


Did I miss something?

Joe

Yes, you did miss something, you're a glorified cable installer! No tip for you!

[joe diamond]

Possibly. Could you elaborate on your post?

Sure,

This work can be enjoyable and possibly pay enough to support a family. It requires a little skill and a little training and a little investment. All in all installations have been pretty good to me until recently.

What I was alluding to was the temptation that hits all well motivated craftsmen to take risks beyond their capabilities. Sometimes this means attempting work when conditions are too dangerous to proceed. For example, if a fireman goes through a roof because the fire had weakened the building that man is a hero and he or his widow will get some kind of compensation. IF an installer slides off a slippery roof he goes over the edge and, if he survives, may get some kind of workman's compensation. For sure, the manager he works for will eventually get around to explaining that with that broken leg there is just no position available.

Once, a long time ago, I called a cable company office to tell them to send a bucket truck to do a midspan connection. My thirty foot ladder needed to be vertical to do the work; real dangerous. They sent the truck..my work was diminished because "I wasn't good with ladders." A few months later another tech came down on his head and died thirty feet below that exact line. He was a hero, right?

I'm glad you job went in. I wasn't there to judge conditions. I think the atmosphere conditions confused a new tech into doing some unnecessary trouble shooting and an unnecessary trip on a roof in the rain. Glad he go away with it.

I just thought I would ring a bell to folks expecting prompt installations this time of the year.

Joe

[dirtyblueshirt]

I'm glad you job went in. I wasn't there to judge conditions. I think the atmosphere conditions confused a new tech into doing some unnecessary trouble shooting and an unnecessary trip on a roof in the rain. Glad he go away with it.


Actually, he said he was one of the two most senior DirecTV installers (non-contractor) in the San Diego area, and had been doing installs for nearly 10 years... perhaps his experience gave him the confidence to tackle the elements.

[joe diamond]

Yes, you did miss something, you're a glorified cable installer! No tip for you!

I did cable for a brief period.

The satellite companies were too busy to train folks so they hired experienced cable guys away from cable companies to hang the dishes. I was lucky there. I met skilled guys who were real generous with their time to bring along new guys. I left cable for that new stuff PrimeStar was offering.

Don't need a tip. My rate for everything above and beyond the basic installation is $60.00 per hour. My work comes from home theater companies who won't let the HSP gentlemen cut up new work. I also repair phones for the same rate. More and more residential phones are damaged by the same gentlemen.

We are getting into the season where the techs will need to get their parachutes out.........snow and ice on the roof makes rain seem like a walk in the park.

No tipping required. I leave a bill.

Joe

[joe diamond]

Actually, he said he was one of the two most senior DirecTV installers (non-contractor) in the San Diego area, and had been doing installs for nearly 10 years... perhaps his experience gave him the confidence to tackle the elements.

That is usually the case. DTV didn't have installers of their own until recently.
(Another story)
Your man got good at what he does taking risks. Glad it worked.

Joe

[SDizzle]

I did cable for a brief period.

The satellite companies were too busy to train folks so they hired experienced cable guys away from cable companies to hang the dishes. I was lucky there. I met skilled guys who were real generous with their time to bring along new guys. I left cable for that new stuff PrimeStar was offering.

Don't need a tip. My rate for everything above and beyond the basic installation is $60.00 per hour. My work comes from home theater companies who won't let the HSP gentlemen cut up new work. I also repair phones for the same rate. More and more residential phones are damaged by the same gentlemen.

We are getting into the season where the techs will need to get their parachutes out.........snow and ice on the roof makes rain seem like a walk in the park.

No tipping required. I leave a bill.
Joe

LMAO :rolling: