View Full Version : Signal strengths for 103 in Chicago?
Got my HR20 approx one month ago. Up until now, no significant issues (aside from the 'usual ones') - So I was surprised by the one I experienced (and still am) last eve.
Last night, Chicago area had a rather strong storm. As expected, I lost *some* sats. While most recovered with the passing of the storm, my HD locals (which in Chicago come from 103) have yet to recover.
I am curious what other Chicago area HR20 folks are seeing on their signal strengths for the 103 during overcast conditions (such as now). I am seeing only 14% on 103, and only on 2 of the 6 transponders - and as a result have NO local HD. 99 registers no signal at all.
My others sats report reasonable strength - 101 the best with 70-80's even during overcast with 110 & 119 in the 40's & 50. Remember, this is as of 7:00am this morning - post storm & still overcast.
Do I need to call for a realignment or is this normal? Anything else I can to to isolate this problem (aside from hoping for clearing). I wouldn't expect that local HD be *that* sensitive to rain/cloud fade.
laurier
11-11-06, 07:53 AM
On 103 I receive 3 at 100, 100, 98
On 103 I receive 3 at 100, 100, 98
Right now?
laurier
11-11-06, 08:53 AM
Yes, perfect PQ.
Yes, perfect PQ.
OK - well that confirms it. I've already scheduled a service call for Fri. If the problem were to disappear between now and then, I presume the issue is water-related. If not, perhaps alignment.
If it were water, is there one component specific to the two HD sats? Is there an LNB associated with just the 99/103 sats perhaps? Wet cable or multiswitch? I'm trying to think of the reasons for failure so that I'm armed against the tech who doesn't want to do anything....
litzdog911
11-11-06, 12:28 PM
The 99/103-deg satellite reception is much more susceptable to slight dish mis-alignment, so it's possible that your dish was moved slightly.
The 99/101/103-deg satellite LNBs are housed together in the main LNB assembly, with the 110/119-deg satellite LNBs mounted off to the side.
The 99/103-deg satellite reception is much more susceptable to slight dish mis-alignment, so it's possible that your dish was moved slightly.
The 99/101/103-deg satellite LNBs are housed together in the main LNB assembly, with the 110/119-deg satellite LNBs mounted off to the side.
Thanks litz. I did watch that installation video you posted previously - I don't think the installer undertook the care demonstrated in the video.
BTW - the signals are creeping back up today - while the overcast remains - to 25-30. Now I'm getting the picture, with occasional breakups. Now I'm inclined to think more along the lines of water. Good thing I'm not the tech.....
After that same minor storm for quite some time I had no D* HD picture. Local HDs were fine. Now, the D* picture is back, normal as far as I can tell, but signal strength seems messed up:
--On 101 they're all in the 80s (were mid 90s or more before).
--On 110 I have 91, 95, 95.
--On 119 I have 22, 88; 23, 0; 24, 86; and 25-32 are between 79 and 95 (with 31 being 0).
--On 99(b) I have 1-8: 26 76 38 82 34 73 NA NA (and the rest NA)
--On 103(a) I have 1-8: 96 0 96 95 0 NA NA (rest NA)
It seems like something went wrong, i.e. got moved, during the storm, and I have a service guy coming out tomorrow. I don't think it should be that susceptible to movement from a pretty minor storm (for Chicago) and I would like it really locked down, esp. before winter kicks in, so we'll see... What did you end up doing?
After that same minor storm for quite some time I had no D* HD picture. Local HDs were fine. Now, the D* picture is back, normal as far as I can tell, but signal strength seems messed up:
--On 101 they're all in the 80s (were mid 90s or more before).
--On 110 I have 91, 95, 95.
--On 119 I have 22, 88; 23, 0; 24, 86; and 25-32 are between 79 and 95 (with 31 being 0).
--On 99(b) I have 1-8: 26 76 38 82 34 73 NA NA (and the rest NA)
--On 103(a) I have 1-8: 96 0 96 95 0 NA NA (rest NA)
It seems like something went wrong, i.e. got moved, during the storm, and I have a service guy coming out tomorrow. I don't think it should be that susceptible to movement from a pretty minor storm (for Chicago) and I would like it really locked down, esp. before winter kicks in, so we'll see... What did you end up doing?
Very interesting.....Please post what your tech discovers. Since Friday's storm my HD locals have been on the 'edge'. Even last evening, with only overcast, I saw numerous 'glitches' which I attribute to low signal strength. My 99 & 103 signals remain quite low - mid, lower 30's.
Interestingly, the 101 signal is quite strong. Given my understanding that all three share the same LNB, I am led to believe that it must be alignment - although in my previous post I thought it was water-related.
I am in a vortex of confusion....
Very interesting.....Please post what your tech discovers. Since Friday's storm my HD locals have been on the 'edge'. Even last evening, with only overcast, I saw numerous 'glitches' which I attribute to low signal strength. My 99 & 103 signals remain quite low - mid, lower 30's.
Interestingly, the 101 signal is quite strong. Given my understanding that all three share the same LNB, I am led to believe that it must be alignment - although in my previous post I thought it was water-related.
I am in a vortex of confusion....
Well, he came and went while I was at work and, after checking the signal strengths, I'm not exactly sure what he accomplished or specifically did.
101 and 110 are both great, mid to high 90s, which is great (and an improvement from where it had dropped to). What troubles me is that 99 is still at 60% signal strength overall on both Tuner 1 and 2. WHY is this? Is this normal? 103 is 90s which is good, but why is 99 still so low? It's windier than a mofo here today and it should be interesting to check how it held up at the end of the day...
Just to close the loop on this......
Tech came this morning. Jumped right on the alignment as cause - threw up the ladder and was down in two minutes, packing-up ready to call it fixed. Of course it wasn't......
On his arrival I inquired whether he'd seen the alignment video - thinking about previous comments regarding the fairly careful alignment procedures required to get things peaked properly. He muttered something about seeing videos everyday - which I took as him blowing my question off.
Anyway, after he's halfway to his vehicle I jump in the house and confirm that the initial problem remains (no HD locals). I do a quick signal strength and determine that while the 101 signals are much improved, and strong 99 (even though Chicago get no channels from 99), 103 was zero across the board.
With that, he's back in the house double-checking my data, saying something to the effect that it must be the HR-20. I resisted the urge to beat him silly and suggested he get back outside and keep working.
After swapping out the multi-switch, checking the cables, etc. he ends up back on the roof and continues the alignment. Eventually he determines the tilt was off. I confirm 103 signal strength - back in the 90+ range for three 103 transponders (the others were zero - not a surprise), HD locals and all else working.
The take-away here is that even though 101, 99, & 103 all utilize the same LNB, the alignment can have one or even two of the sats tuned-in, but the third can remain out of alignment.
Just another day in paradise.......
cybrsurfer
11-17-06, 12:05 PM
Just to close the loop on this......
Tech came this morning. Jumped right on the alignment as cause - threw up the ladder and was down in two minutes, packing-up ready to call it fixed. Of course it wasn't......
On his arrival I inquired whether he'd seen the alignment video - thinking about previous comments regarding the fairly careful alignment procedures required to get things peaked properly. He muttered something about seeing videos everyday - which I took as him blowing my question off.
Anyway, after he's halfway to his vehicle I jump in the house and confirm that the initial problem remains (no HD locals). I do a quick signal strength and determine that while the 101 signals are much improved, and strong 99 (even though Chicago get no channels from 99), 103 was zero across the board.
With that, he's back in the house double-checking my data, saying something to the effect that it must be the HR-20. I resisted the urge to beat him silly and suggested he get back outside and keep working.
After swapping out the multi-switch, checking the cables, etc. he ends up back on the roof and continues the alignment. Eventually he determines the tilt was off. I confirm 103 signal strength - back in the 90+ range for three 103 transponders (the others were zero - not a surprise), HD locals and all else working.
The take-away here is that even though 101, 99, & 103 all utilize the same LNB, the alignment can have one or even two of the sats tuned-in, but the third can remain out of alignment.
Just another day in paradise.......
Good job, hopefully in the future this installer will do the right thing.
So with the rain last night (11/29), my signal strength was pretty down there, and some local HDs were pixalating. This doesn't seem normal. Anyone else experience this? Should be interesting to see what the picture's like once the snow begins to fly, which isn't too far away...
So with the rain last night (11/29), my signal strength was pretty down there, and some local HDs were pixalating. This doesn't seem normal. Anyone else experience this? Should be interesting to see what the picture's like once the snow begins to fly, which isn't too far away...
I am happy to report that during last evening's storms signal strengths remained in mid-80's. No picture loss on MPEG4 HD locals nor any SD or HD MPEG2's. Rock solid.
This just confirms to me how critical a proper alignment is. No doubt these signals will drop further when the snow begins to fly, but I feel good that it will take a considerable dumping before I lose the picture.
I think you might want to call D* and schedule a re-alignment.
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