Searching for signal HD channels

[xandor]

I'm not getting most of my HD channels. Checked the dish and it appears clear, except for a little snow on the dish itself, but I've never had problems with this little snow. I've included my transponder strengths below, but they don't seem normal.

Signal Strength:
101
1 – 8 69 55 66 0 58 74 52 73
9-16 53 60 67 0 62 77 48 77
17-24 0 94 39 0 55 73 49 71
25-32 0 89 0 63 47 74 44 79

110
8 73
9-16 n/a 73 n/a 72 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Rest are n/a

119
23-24 0 89
25-32 95 92 89 91 85 93 0 95

99 (c)
1-8 all 0
9-16 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a
Rest n/a

99 (s)
1-8 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a
9-16 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0
17-24 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rest n/a

103(s)
1-8 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a
9-16 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0
17-24 0 0 0 24 0 0 0 0
Rest n/a

103(c)
1-8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9-16 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a
Rest n/a


Any suggestions? The only things that I can think of might be something on the LNBs or some bad connection somewhere that doesn't like the cold/snow.

[harsh]

Your readings suggest that your dish isn't pointed very well (fairly consistent on 119W but all over the map on 101W and non-existent on 99W and 103W).

It is also possible that your 99W-101W-103W lens is fogged with condensation. Does this clear up when the weather drys up or is it consistently poor?

A third possibility has to do with near-zero temperatures. What's your weather like?

[cdizzy]

Yea, I agree with harsh. 101 should be in the 90's. 99c and 103c won't be good if 101 isn't aligned properly.

[xandor]

Your readings suggest that your dish isn't pointed very well (fairly consistent on 119W but all over the map on 101W and non-existent on 99W and 103W).

It is also possible that your 99W-101W-103W lens is fogged with condensation. Does this clear up when the weather drys up or is it consistently poor?

A third possibility has to do with near-zero temperatures. What's your weather like?

The last time this happened, this did clear up on his own, I think I have recorded somewhere my signal strengths on a normal, clear day. I'll try to find them and post for you what they normally are.

Current temp is about 23 degrees, cloudy, and we just had a bunch of snow come down, but only about 3 inches or so.

I was going to call DirecTv in the morning about this.

[harsh]

I recommend that you carefully inspect the dish and LNB lens for frost, snow or ice accumulation. Accumulated snow could look a lot like condensation in terms of blocking signal. It is also possible that you have frost on the inside of the lens.

The larger lens at the left to right midpoint of the dish is the one you're concerned about.

[InterMurph]

Last night I got my first-ever "searching for signal" messages on HD channels. We just had a snow storm (5"), but this was hours after the snow had stopped. And I have never had any snow or ice buildup on the dish.

And I just had it re-aimed a few months ago.

[paulman182]

Last night I got my first-ever "searching for signal" messages on HD channels. We just had a snow storm (5"), but this was hours after the snow had stopped. And I have never had any snow or ice buildup on the dish.

And I just had it re-aimed a few months ago.

It could be caused by moisture content in clouds passing to the south of you.

[xandor]

Well, it still hasn't gotten better. I tried to get it clear, but I don't have a tall enough ladder. Here's what my dish currently looks like:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_b3enpKblI8I/SW_PeJVefbI/AAAAAAAABt8/q0CEsdWlUrg/s400/IMG_0737.JPG

I ordered a dish heater from Solidsignal (too late, I know) but does this look like it could interfere with signal?

Sorry for the poor quality.

[BattleZone]

Yes. Wet, heavy snow or ice on the "sweet spot" of the dish will interfere with the signal. Light, fluffy snow doesn't do much, but the thick stuff will be a problem. A dish heater is the right solution...

[isuquinndog]

I've got no signal on any thing. I get the guide to load but I get "searching for signal on Satellite In 1 and 2 (771)"

I called it in, said they are getting it all over Illinois. It's VERY cold here, high today was around -10 and windchills of -40 or so.

Is there any thing I can do about it? Wife is beyond pissed....Grey's Anatomy tonight....

Dish is clear. It's on a fence so I went out and took some snow and ice off. Lens is clear. I can't tell if it's fogged up since it's dark.

[Beckzilla]

Check thread called Swm Lnbs Do Not Like The Cold

[Mertzen]

Looks like very poor dish mounting. Wouldn't be surprised that that dish moved.

[Mertzen]

Check thread called Swm Lnbs Do Not Like The Cold

Doesn't apply since the OP has a R10 and hence not a SWM system.

[JoeTheDragon]

I've got no signal on any thing. I get the guide to load but I get "searching for signal on Satellite In 1 and 2 (771)"

I called it in, said they are getting it all over Illinois. It's VERY cold here, high today was around -10 and windchills of -40 or so.

Is there any thing I can do about it? Wife is beyond pissed....Grey's Anatomy tonight....

Dish is clear. It's on a fence so I went out and took some snow and ice off. Lens is clear. I can't tell if it's fogged up since it's dark.
Will they give the full state any thing for free or do you have to keep calling in?

Will they give out something for missing the free HBO?

[xandor]

Looks like very poor dish mounting. Wouldn't be surprised that that dish moved.

Actually, it looks better in the daylight and it appears really solid. I remember we had a really bad windstorm last year sometime and the thing didn't budge -- at least as far as I can tell.

As soon as it clears and I get signals back I'll post my current transponder numbers for comment.

[xandor]

Well, Now I have a clear day and got signals:

101

1-8 93 92 92 0 85 96 86 91
9-16 83 92 94 0 91 97 86 98
17-24 76 100 82 15 83 96 86 96
25-32 79 100 79 86 85 97 82 97

110
1-8 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 88
9-16 n/a 91 n/a 91 n/a n/a n/a n/a
rest is n/a

119
1-16 all n/a
17-24 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 95 0 96
25-32 98 97 97 97 89 98 0 98

99(C)
1-8 79 83 77 79 80 83 77 79
9-16 80 82 79 79 82 82 n/a n/a
rest n/a

99(S)
1-8 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a
9-16 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 77 83
17-24 83 86 82 83 69 73 77 0
25-32 all n/a

103(S)
1-8 76 45 76 83 74 0 n/a n/a
9-16 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0
17-24 0 93 0 96 0 0 0 0
25-32 all n/a

103(C)
1-8 82 87 79 85 79 86 82 86
9-16 82 85 84 87 83 85 n/a n/a
rest n/a

Let me know if this looks like it needs realignment.

Thanks!

[litzdog911]

DirecTV would consider those readings acceptable, but some minor dish tweaking could probably get the 99 and 103º (HD channels) readings up into the high 80-90s.

[BattleZone]

Agreed: your signals aren't BAD, but the 99c and 103c (which is where all the national HD is) could be improved with some very small adjustments to the dish alignment.