What's wrong here?

[Pete K.]

I have two E* receivers, a 4900 and a 501. The 501
will occassionally lose the signal on certain transponders.
I've tried rebooting the thing, running switch tests, checking
connections, etc.
I've run the Dish 500 set up several times, also to no
avail.
On the signal strentgh meters, I'll watch as it goes
from "locked" (green), to "unlocked" (red) in a matter
of seconds, all the while showing a signal strentgh
of 95 to 115 or better, depending on the transponder.
The 4900 does not do this...ever.
I think its the 501. I'm on my third unit in less than one year!
The first,a new unit, refused to recognize the switch (SW 21).
The second worked great till the hard drive went belly up.
Any thoughts or suggestions, before I toss this darn
thing out the window?

[Chris Blount]

Before possibly sending the 501 back you might want to try swapping the SW21's around between the receivers to see if the problem would show up on the 4900.

[Mark Lamutt]

Also try swapping the locations of the 501 and 4900 if possible. That will test the wiring to the 501.

[Pete K.]

Thanks for your suggestions. I've narrowed the problem
down to either a bad SW 21 or cable. I'll let you know
if I solve it on my own or groan.....have to call a tech.

[Scott Greczkowski]

You can go outside the the sw21 and reverse the two output cables. I would guess to say its the cable.

SW21 switches work or they don't and since one receiver is working fine I would say its not the SW21. :)

[dlsnyder]

The same thing has been happening to my 3900 lately. I was thinking maybe it was getting overheated but haven't really checked it out yet.

[AllieVi]

Don't forget to check the cable connectors, particularly any that are exposed to the weather.