Sony A2, GainMaster, dish distance...

[ecrabb]

Howdy - new here - I'm an AVS regular, HTPC, CRT, etc.... After about four years watching DirecTV, I have deal with new issues...

OK, so one of my late-blooming trees leafed out a month or so ago and I started getting drop-outs. I wasn't surprised, as I had to trim a few branches once before. I was annoyed, though since tree-trimming is REALLY expensive (if I don't do it), and I almost pee my pants getting up to that part of the roof (steep roof, 2+ story drop to ground below.)

So, I decided to try the Channel Master Gainmaster dish from SolidSignal.com (who have been great, btw). The Gainmaster is 24x36 and they say 65% signal gain over a standard dish. It's a Phase III, and I'm replacing a first-gen Sony 18". I got the 3-LNB dish because I'm planning on buying an HD receiver this winter to put in the home theater I'm building.

The first thing I found out was that my old Sony SAT-A2 doesn't even see the new LNB's in the "Setup Antenna" screen, so I have no way to see signal strength or if the signal is locked. I'm using a stand-alone signal strength meter which has allowed me to find a satellite or two, but I was only able to get a guide and see pic testing down on the driveway - not up on the roof where the dish is now mounted.

I don't know why I'm having so much trouble. I've set up a few single-LNB dishes, and one triple this spring and I've never had so much trouble.

So, I'm considering moving the dish to a another spot off the house where I won't have to worry about trees - but my multi-switch-to-dish cable run will probably go from 75 feet to maybe 200 feet, or maybe a little more. Will I have to use an amplifier on each of the 4 coax runs back to the multi-switch?

I also think I'll go ahead and pick up a different receiver to replace the old A2. I was thinking of grabbing a used A50 or A55. Anybody know what the oldest generation of Sony's were that can see all 3 LNB's? A/65?

Finally, is there a diagram anywhere that shows which damn LNB is seeing which satellite, and at what angle from the dish it is?

In general, am I thinking right, here? Thanks for any help anybody can give me!!! I absolutely refuse to go to cable - it really sucks in my market.

SC

[ecrabb]

Sorry for the long post - I'll make this simple.

1. Do I have to use an amplifier on all four RG-6 runs from the dish to the house/multi-switch (200 feet+)?

2. Is the SAT-A/B65 the only generation Sony receiver that sees all three LNB's?

3. I drew a quick diagram - the angles are exaggerated, but do I understand the satellite/dish/LNB relationship correctly?

http://www.ecrabb.com/postsupport/triple.gif

Thanks!

SC

[ecrabb]

Well, I found a spot where I'm getting a rockin' solid signal off 101 - Almost all 90's, and some 93-95's. Signal doesn't even budge from whatever it comes up on - very little fluctuation. So, I'm pretty happy with the big Channel Master at this point. I didn't mess with the other satellites for now, since I have an older receiver and I'm not sure I still won't have a problem with trees...

So, could someone answer the three simple questions in my previous post? Mostly, I'd just like to know if, by looking at the diagram I drew, do I understand where the sat signal is coming from, relative to the LNB?

Thanks.

SC

[boba]

Have you tried looking at your dish for the answer to your question? You do have it correct. On my three LNB dishes the satellite locations are marked on the support. The question on line amps. try without amps see what you have for signal strength, if you need them you will need 4 one for each incoming line.

[ecrabb]

Have you tried looking at your dish for the answer to your question? You do have it correct. On my three LNB dishes the satellite locations are marked on the support. The question on line amps. try without amps see what you have for signal strength, if you need them you will need 4 one for each incoming line.

Thanks for the confirmation. Believe me - I've looked at my dish - way more than I wish I had. There are definitely no markings on my dish that indicated the satellite/dish/feedhorn relationship. I thought I understood, I just wanted to make sure.

As for the distance/amp question, I know I could try it - I just wanted to make sure I wasn't creating a whole other set of problems for myself by locating the dish away from the house. For instance, I'd know it was a bad solution if somebody said, "you can use all the line amps in the world - 250 feet is just way too far and you're going to have all sorts of problems."

Anway, thanks!

SC