Problem With Certain Channels Not Coming In

[EGTuna]

I have been having an issue for about 6 months with certain non-HD channels not coming in. I have DirecTV for TV, and Verizon FiOS for internet and phone (two completely separate accounts).

I have the following equipment:
1 DVR - DSR708
2 HD-DVR - HR21-100

Certain channels will work for a few hours (e.g., SD Comedy Central), and then without warning it will go out and I will get the "Searching for Satellite in 2" (or 1).

I have called tech support, and done the reset of all the boxes at once, and that has worked sometimes for a few hours. I had a support appointment where they replaced the LNB, and that worked for about a day. But the problem persists. Directv tech support has proven useless so far. I am wondering if the FiOS connection (both the FiOS box and Directv splitter are within 12-18 inches of each other) could be causing the problem? Or maybe it is one of the receivers?

People on this site certainly seem like experts. I would appreciate any and all tips or suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[mark2061]

I have been having an issue for about 6 months with certain non-HD channels not coming in. I have DirecTV for TV, and Verizon FiOS for internet and phone (two completely separate accounts).

I have the following equipment:
1 DVR - DSR708
2 HD-DVR - HR21-100

Certain channels will work for a few hours (e.g., SD Comedy Central), and then without warning it will go out and I will get the "Searching for Satellite in 2" (or 1).

I have called tech support, and done the reset of all the boxes at once, and that has worked sometimes for a few hours. I had a support appointment where they replaced the LNB, and that worked for about a day. But the problem persists. I am wondering if the FiOS connection (both the FiOS box and Directv splitter are within 12-18 inches of each other) could be causing the problem? Or maybe it is one of the receivers?

People on this site certainly seem like experts. I would appreciate any and all tips or suggestions. Thanks in advance.

I have been having the same problem for a couple of months. I also spoke with a tech and after resetting it worked a bit but not resolved. It seems to happen more in the early morning or late at night. I'd like to know if anyone has a solution also.

[2dogz]

Next time just some of the channels drop out, you want to go check the signal readings of all the sat TPs. Look for loss of all odd or all even TPs on any of the sats. Post results here.

It may be a bad/weak/corroded connector at the LNB, ground block, or the multiswitch. Maybe the multiswitch itself.

You didn't say but does it happen on all of your receivers? Helps to narrow the points to examine.

[EGTuna]

Next time just some of the channels drop out, you want to go check the signal readings of all the sat TPs. Look for loss of all odd or all even TPs on any of the sats. Post results here.

It may be a bad/weak/corroded connector at the LNB, ground block, or the multiswitch. Maybe the multiswitch itself.

You didn't say but does it happen on all of your receivers? Helps to narrow the points to examine.

Some transponders will have 0 signal strength when I tested...I don't recall discerning between odd/even. Seemed more random. I will check again tomorrow morning.

Yes, it happens on all of the receivers at the same time with the same channels having the problem.

In the past I have moved the outgoing cables from the multi-switch to different inputs on the multi-switch, and that resolved for maybe 1-2 channels for a few hours. However, a long-term solution still eludes me.

[2dogz]

Some transponders will have 0 signal strength when I tested...I don't recall discerning between odd/even. Seemed more random. I will check again tomorrow morning.

Yes, it happens on all of the receivers at the same time with the same channels having the problem.


The sats of concern are 101, 110, 119, 99c and 103c. Sats 99s and 103s are spot beams to different parts of the country and have readings all over the place, so ignore those.

Since problem occurs on all receivers, likely problem is somewhere between multiswitch, ground block, and dish. Since D* tech already replaced LNB, unlikely that's the problem (though not impossible). First thing I'd look at is the ground block, usually outdoors and close to the ground and in the weather. Disconnect and examine all connectors and check for moisture, corrosion, loosness/weakness of connectors.

Second thing to test is the multiswitch by bypassing it completely. Take two barrel connectors and connect the two lines from a DVR directly to two lines from the dish at the multiswitch (any two dish lines will do). If that clears the problem, then the multiswitch is the culprit.

Good luck

[EGTuna]

The sats of concern are 101, 110, 119, 99c and 103c. Sats 99s and 103s are spot beams to different parts of the country and have readings all over the place, so ignore those.

Since problem occurs on all receivers, likely problem is somewhere between multiswitch, ground block, and dish. Since D* tech already replaced LNB, unlikely that's the problem (though not impossible). First thing I'd look at is the ground block, usually outdoors and close to the ground and in the weather. Disconnect and examine all connectors and check for moisture, corrosion, loosness/weakness of connectors.

Second thing to test is the multiswitch by bypassing it completely. Take two barrel connectors and connect the two lines from a DVR directly to two lines from the dish at the multiswitch (any two dish lines will do). If that clears the problem, then the multiswitch is the culprit.

Good luck

Thanks so much for the suggestions. What is the "ground-block"? Is that some component between the LNB and the multi-switch?

Thanks.

[BattleZone]

http://www.dbsinstall.com/N-images/Whatis/Driploop-1.jpg
http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/JVI/4-Way-Grounding-Block.JPG

A ground block is a set of connectors set onto a brass "block" or rail that also has screws to accept a ground wire. The ground block creates a path between the shield braid on the coax cable and the house's ground rod when properly connected with green-insulated 10 gauge solid-copper wire (per NEC specs). A separate conductor should be run from a grounding point on the dish to the ground block to also provide a grounding path for the dish itself. This wire can be another run of 10ga solid copper, or it can be 17ga solid copper as long as it is bonded to the coax itself, per NEC specs.

[EGTuna]

http://www.dbsinstall.com/N-images/Whatis/Driploop-1.jpg
http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/JVI/4-Way-Grounding-Block.JPG

A ground block is a set of connectors set onto a brass "block" or rail that also has screws to accept a ground wire. The ground block creates a path between the shield braid on the coax cable and the house's ground rod when properly connected with green-insulated 10 gauge solid-copper wire (per NEC specs). A separate conductor should be run from a grounding point on the dish to the ground block to also provide a grounding path for the dish itself. This wire can be another run of 10ga solid copper, or it can be 17ga solid copper as long as it is bonded to the coax itself, per NEC specs.

I don't see a ground-block. It looks as if the the cables go directly from the LNB to the Multi-switch, which just hangs outside the back of my house on the bottom floor (a townhouse). I will try to post pics of the set-up later.

I will test as you suggested using the barrel connectors and bypassing the mutli-switch as soon as I get some barrel connectors later today,

Thanks.

[harsh]

As one point of concern, you can probably lay the FIOS angle to rest. If you're not convinced, disconnect the FIOS temporarily and see if the problem goes away.

Since it happens on both DVRs, I'd be looking for a bad cable between the LNB and the multiswitch.

[2dogz]

I don't see a ground-block. It looks as if the the cables go directly from the LNB to the Multi-switch, which just hangs outside the back of my house on the bottom floor (a townhouse). I will try to post pics of the set-up later.

I will test as you suggested using the barrel connectors and bypassing the mutli-switch as soon as I get some barrel connectors later today,

Thanks.

The multiswitch can do double duty and act as a ground block when positioned where cable enters the building. Look for a ground wire attached to it. Should/better be there. I assumed multiswitch was indoors and ground block outdoors, a common setup. But that's okay, you have fewer connectors to check. What was said on checking ground block now applies to the multiswitch. Disconnect and examine each connector for signs of weather damage. The center conductor should be nice and shiney like a new penny. If old penny brown, whitish power or moisture/ice, it's a sign the weather seal is not good and could be the problem.

[harsh]

If you do some study, I think you'll find that multiswitches are not "approved" grounding solutions.