Signal/reception problem

[sroesink]

I have a problem I cant seem to figure out. I am getting good signal on 30 of 32 transponders (4 and 18 nothing), but my screen will freeze on almost any channel at the worst times. I can always surf and immediately find 90% of other channels working, and that one frozen channel will come back in 5-10 minutes.

Directv doesnt seem to be able to help, so I figured I would come to the real experts.

Line of sight is clear, and signal levels are almost all in the mid-80's. What should I do? Do I need to go buy another LNB? Or is it something else

[Mark Lamutt]

Hello sroesink, and welcome to DBSTalk! :hi:

You aren't by chance using a splitter on your line coming in to the boxes? If so, each box you have needs to have a line coming from the satellite (or switch).

I actually ran into this problem yesterday - the symptoms were exactly what you describe, and were caused by the splitter.

[sroesink]

No, the LNB is a single directly to the grounding post then to my receiver. Thanks for the try though.

[RJS1111111]

Still under warranty? Good! Have them send you a replacement receiver. If they want to come out and check the signal with a spectrum analyzer, then by all means, as long as it's for free.

:D

If you're bored waiting for the replacement, you might want to check your LNBF, cable, etc. for any moisture. Just be careful
up there!

[Mark Lamutt]

Moisture in the line would also be my next guess...in which case a replacement receiver won't solve the problem.

[RJS1111111]

...it would help diagnose the problem,
and without much expense or effort on the customer's part!

The dealer/service can handle it any way they choose;
an easy way or a hard way; doesn't matter as long as
the customer is happy!

[sroesink]

So, if that is the problem....and its quite possible as my connection into the LNB seems loose.....can I just strip the rg6 back a foot and re crimp a waterproof connector on there?

Thanks for the help.

[Mark Lamutt]

If there is moisture in the line, and if it hasn't travelled more than a foot down the line, then that would solve the problem. Unfortunately, though, I know of no way to determine how far water has moved through the line.

If you had the system professionally installed, I'd call the installers and describe the problem. If you did it yourself, then if possible, I'd try running another line temporarily from the lnb to the switch (if you have a switch) and see if that corrects the problem. If it does, you know that line needs to be replaced. If it doesn't solve the problem, then obviously something else is amiss.

Another thought - are you running the line coming into your receiver through a surge protector first? If so, that could definitely be causing your problem as well.

[RJS1111111]

Give the installer (if any) a shot at fixing the problem.

Once moisture gets into coax, it can travel far.
Of course, downhill is worst, but it can also travel
by "wicking" or capillary attraction, like sap running
up the trunk of a tree.

Drip loops are used mainly to try to prevent any
moisture from getting into the coax and connectors
in the first place. Once it's there, the electrical
characteristics are likely to be permanently
compromised, and (at least the soggy part of)
the line should be replaced.

[sroesink]

Well, I installed myself, and I already tried the new connector...still occasionally losing a few channels. I guess I need to get a new run of RG6...where are the deals??

Thanks again for your help!!

[RJS1111111]

Originally posted by sroesink
Well, I installed myself, and I already tried the new connector...still occasionally losing a few channels. I guess I need to get a new run of RG6...where are the deals??

Thanks again for your help!!

A lot of places on the web (including dealers who hang out in these forums) can sell you some RG6. Shop around for the very best price, but at the same time, be sure to have a look at the specifications of the exact cable you're buying. The losses and flatness across your spectrum (up to 1.5 or 2.5 GHz or so) have to be adequate for your satellite application - not just good enough for cable TV. There is some RG6 out there that may not be good enough.

Remember too that stacking (e.g. DishPro) requires double bandwidth on the cable, just in case you're planning to go that route later on.

Your local satellite dealer or electronics parts store may have some in stock. They should be able to provide specifications. You could also take a chance on a remnant, if it's cheap enough, and it says RG6 or RG6/U on it. RG11 can also be used. It performs better, but it is more expensive, very scarce, and more difficult to install (doesn't bend as well, for one thing).

I'm thinking of maybe buying an RG6 pair with a messenger wire (which I would use to ground the dish) in a thousand-foot roll, the next time I get serious about cabling dishes. :D

[rowie3]

I believe I'm having a problem with spot beaming, any help? I'm getting all east coast channels, but none of the west coast channels, cali, washington and the like, I get a nag screen, you are unable to view this channel out side of it's viewing area, any help?

[Mark Lamutt]

Hello rowie3 and welcome to DBSTalk! :hi:

That screen indicates you are trying to access a spot beam channel from outside the spot beam area. If it's a channel that isn't part of a distant nets package then you are out of luck. If it is a distant nets channel, those are all still conus, and you should probably call Dish at 1-800-333-3474 to work it out.

[John Corn]

I bought a 500 ft roll of RG6 from the local Home Depot for $38.00

[rowie3]

Mark, thanks, I called and you were right, they are channels that I can not recieve, thanks for the help

[sroesink]

Ok, I have repaced EVERYTHING in my system, and am still having the problem. The only thing I can even remotely think might be left is a telephone pole partially in my dish's line of sight. But my signal levels are excellent (high 80's and 90's) and remain that way even when some channels are freezing for 5 minutes or so.

Could it be a magnetic field caused by power lines?? I dont know enough about the DBS signal to know.

Thanks everyone

[RJS1111111]

Did you replace the receiver as well?

[sroesink]

Yes, everything but the physical dish and the grounding block.

[RJS1111111]

Originally posted by sroesink
Yes, everything but the physical dish and the grounding block.

Try substituting a barrel connector for the grounding block, just for grins.

There could possibly be some kind of oddball electromagnetic interference (such as occasional switching voltages) caused by the power pole.

Can you try moving the dish by a few feet, so the pole is not at all along the line(s) of sight?

[sroesink]

I went straight into the receiver, no grounding block, same problem.

It is so odd, because the channels I lose can be immediately reset if I do a system reset....so I know the signal is there...and again, all of my signals on transponders are high 80's and 90's.

How much do you professionals charge to come to my place and make this work? I am gonna pull my hair out soon....

[Richssat]

Free professional advice (I normally charge $60 an hour).
The problem is on Dtv's end. They are playing with several things at once and it is screwing things up
1. They have 3 data streams running (H-Hu&P4) taking up already crowded space.
2. Due to must carry laws some markets have added a large amount of channels (LA just added 8 channels in the last month) Further stressing the already taxed system

My guess is there is some kind of flaw in their encryption system that is causing these signal dropouts. It only seems to effect systems activated or card swapped in the last 3-4 months. It isn't getting all of them.

I have 3 customers that I have installed in the last 4 months that are having the same exact problem. I have swapped LNBs, replaced cable, ground blocks and in one case replaced an entire system (every last part.....Twice) and it is still doing it.

I spent over 2 hours on the phone with DTV the other night (mostly on hold and getting hung up on). I finally got a hold of the technical supervisor for the east coast call center (Alabama I think). I spoke to him for about an hour about it and I finally got him to admit that the problem is on there end. He wouldn't be too specific as to what exactly it is but he got real quiet when I mentioned access cards and data streams so I am guessing it has something to do with them. Allegedly they are working on a fix and will clear it up as soon as they can.
As much as I hate to say it you may have to just live with it until they get it squared away.

Good luck
RR

[RJS1111111]

...for awhile, if DISH offers a good deal and all the programming you want.

[sroesink]

Thanks, Richssat, and everyone else.....as long as it's fixed before hockey season I can live with it...but if I miss my Bruins games heads will roll...does DISH have a hockey package?

[RJS1111111]

Originally posted by sroesink
Thanks, Richssat, and everyone else.....as long as it's fixed before hockey season I can live with it...but if I miss my Bruins games heads will roll...does DISH have a hockey package?

...ExpressVu offers NHL Centre Ice for less,
if you've got a Canadian address or you're
willing to go through a programming broker.

It would be difficult to get a great deal
(subsidized) on an ExpressVu receiver, though.