Question on how Phase III's LNB/multiswitch works regarding rain fade.

[gor88]

I have noticed over the last 14 months of being a DirecTV subscriber that my phase III LNB seems to succumb to rain fade more often than when I had a Dish 500 with Dual Output LNB. I'm not trying to knock DirecTV, but trying to understand the difference between the two.

For instance, the Dish 500 would never have a ConUS TP drop to 0 signal strength. I might have seen 20-25-30, making the picture unwatchable, but it would still show some signal. After peaking the Dish the first time, the ConUS TPs almost never dropped below 50 and would be between 102-115 on clear days. Even in severe instances of rain, the picture would manage to hold, although it would occasionally stutter a little bit.

On the Phase III, it seems that when one of the ConUS TPs drop below say 30-35, all ConUS TPs on all three satellites, as well as my locals spotbeam on 119 drop to 0. This occurs on both my HDVR2 TiVo and HBH-SA Hughes receivers. I was surprised to lose the spot, since it came in between 25-30 points higher than ConUS TPs during a moderately heavy rain. It seems that the spot should not have been lost in that particular storm, given the higher reading, even if all ConUS TPs were.

Does anyone know why the signal strength just drops to 0 on all TPs instead of showing low numbers on the ConUS TPs? Shouldn't it still show some indication of signal, as I think it probably could like the Dish 500 does? Is it the LNB/multiswitch combo that drops the SS to 0 on all TPs or are the receivers programmed to do this? It is frustrating not knowing why this is occurring.

Any insight you have on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[jdspencer]

What are your signal strengths on a clear day?

It is also possible that the DirecTV receivers operate differently when the strength gets below a certain level. Also, you can't compare DirecTV strengths with Dish's. DirecTV's only go to 100, where Dish's go to 125 I believe.

[gor88]

Signal strengths on a clear day on 101 range from 89-100, with nearly all of them in the mid and upper 90's. On 110 and 119, 93-100.

It is true that the DishPro system signal strength tops out at 125. On the original alignment, I never saw below a 28 in really bad weather, with good numbers from 88-102. After peaking the dish, I never saw below 50, with good numbers from 102-115. My brother has it now and averages 115-125. He can't remember any occurrence of rain fade in NE Miss since he peaked the dish.

I just wonder why I lose all TPs and the Spot (on 119 TP 29). In moderately bad weather, I get an 85-90 on the Spot, with other TPs in the 55-60 range. I would think that in a severe thunderstorm, the spot would still come in with at least 50, even if the ConUS TPs are lost. From what I have observed, a 50 is the minimum needed to maintain a decent picture.

I figure that either the DirecTV receivers automatically "disconnect" the signal once some or all of the TPs fall below a given number OR the built in multiswitch is doing this.

I want to understand the nature of the problem, as I might consider the possibility of purchasing a GainMaster dish.

[jdspencer]

I can't add anything else. Today's heavy rain, remnants of Frances, has only caused about 5 minutes of fade while I was watching. It may have done it a couple of times, but I was away from the 'TV during a heavy downpour. My strengths during that time on 101 were from 70 to 83, normally I get 85 to 98. Not counting spots.

[larrystotler]

One problem with the phase 3 is that it is smaller. The dish 500 is a 20inch dish, and basically focuses a full 18 inches or more on the sat signal. The old plus dish was an 18x24" dish, and was wider, so that it had more area to focus the beam. Since the new dish isn't as wide, you loose out. Only thing you could do would be to try to find an old plus dish and see if it is any better. Also, cable legnth and other things can contribute to the loss. Even a bad fitting can drop you signal during bad weather due to moisture and stuff. That's why the SBCA is pushing for everyone to use compression fittings.

I have 2 30" dishes for my dish system, and I still drop signal due to rain fade. lost it several times this evening while francis came by.

[Guesst925XTU]

I'm in New Jersey and with my Phase3 dish I get a lot less rain fade than I ever did with my old round dish.

I've had it about 2 years now, and have had it through rain/snow/hurricane/fog/etc.

Heck, during one storm there was 18" of water all around my house and I still had a good signal!