Install options in Boston Area

[Watrat]

Good evening,
I guess I am posting again out of desperation and hoping for a little bit of advice this time around. Long story short..and some of you may remember my story..I had placed an order for the 5 lnb dish and hr20 with directv and they sent out directech who wouldn't mount the new dish on my chimney...where they had mounted the 3 lnb. I know its heavier and the wind issues..but they barely eye balled it and said it was my brand new roof...or nothing. Called and spoke to supervisors and they at first would say they would send someone else and then finally said they just don't do chimneys. Frustrated, but I gave up on it. I found an independent installer who came out and said it was an easy install...but he wanted $600 just to install..not including equipment.
At this point I am really torn about which way to go..should I go with comcast..or wait for FIOS? My heart really wants to stay with directv and really want to get this to work somehow. If I were to buy the equipment from a best buy would their installers be any different? Anyone know any installers in the area?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

[HDTVsportsfan]

Maybe if you offer to sign a waiver if they mount it on your chimney. I'm not suggesting you do that, but I read a post today somewhere around here where a guy said that's what he had to do. IIRC

[Watrat]

Maybe if you offer to sign a waiver if they mount it on your chimney. I'm not suggesting you do that, but I read a post today somewhere around here where a guy said that's what he had to do. IIRC

Thanks for the reply! I have tried that and they won't even take the ladders out. I wonder if a poll mount is an option or are those not recommended for the bigger dishes?

Thanks

[HDTVsportsfan]

Well depending on how high the pole is, IMHO it is the preferred way. You may get some other thoughts, there are several installers on this baord, but I believe they prefer pole mounting as well.

[Watrat]

Good afternoon,
Thanks again for the reply. Just curious how a pole mount would be more secure than a chimney mount? I thought it really needed to be secured and held down. is that possible with a pole mount? Will the directv installers install the pole or is that a special installation?

Thanks

[HDTVsportsfan]

I re-read your first post. Best buy don't do dish installations. Unless we are not on the same page, a pole mount would not be mounted on your chimney.

A pole mount would be in the ground. A post hole digger, go down two to three feet. Put the pole in the ground, and put in an 80lb bag of concrete, make sure it's plum.

[HDTVsportsfan]

I think my pole was six feet long. I buried two feet so the dish was sitting on a pole 4 feet from the ground.

[harsh]

My heart really wants to stay with directv and really want to get this to work somehow.Is there any specific feature keeping you with DirecTV? If it isn't something that you can't get elsewhere, maybe you need to get over it.If I were to buy the equipment from a best buy would their installers be any different?You will get the same treatment from BB or CC or anyone other than an authorized local installer.Anyone know any installers in the area?Do you have access to a document known as a "phone book"?

You need to demand a "ground pole mount". An acquaintance of mine had to install his own or his HSP wasn't going to do the install. If you go it alone, confirm the pipe diameter at least twice. The DirecTV CSRs don't give the correct information about the pipe diameter.

Here's a link to a comprehensive guide to pole mounts: http://www.montanasatellite.com/manuals/Pole%20Mount%20Materials%20and%20Installation%20Gu ide.pdf

[Watrat]

I think my pole was six feet long. I buried two feet so the dish was sitting on a pole 4 feet from the ground.

No, we are on the same page. Would the installers install the pole or is that something I need to get done before they come?

As far as Best Buy..don't they send out sub contractor's for their installs of satellite tv? My first dish came after it was purchased at Circuit City 8 years ago.

[Watrat]

Is there any specific feature keeping you with DirecTV? If it isn't something that you can't get elsewhere, maybe you need to get over it.You will get the same treatment from BB or CC or anyone other than an authorized local installer.Do you have access to a document known as a "phone book"?

You need to demand a "ground pole mount". An acquaintance of mine had to install his own or his HSP wasn't going to do the install. If you go it alone, confirm the pipe diameter at least twice. The DirecTV CSRs don't give the correct information about the pipe diameter.

Here's a link to a comprehensive guide to pole mounts: http://www.montanasatellite.com/manuals/Pole%20Mount%20Materials%20and%20Installation%20Gu ide.pdf

Good afternoon..I was simply asking a question to get some advice from some people who might know. I am not sure what the hostility about getting over it or finding a phone book is about? I was simply looking for advice and didn't really expect to find that type of answer here.

[HDTVsportsfan]

No, we are on the same page. Would the installers install the pole or is that something I need to get done before they come?

As far as Best Buy..don't they send out sub contractor's for their installs of satellite tv? My first dish came after it was purchased at Circuit City 8 years ago.

BB may have in the past but I don't think they do anymore. You may have to call and ask.

Most installers will install the pole. You just need to call D* and make sure that your request is on the work order. If they won't install on the chimney, then that doesn't leave but a few options. Again, I would imagine a pole would be preferred by the installer, but I don't do this for a living, but from what I read on this board they do it all the time. If you feel comfortable you may want to do it yourself just to make sure it's done and ready to go.

I don't know the layout of your home, but keep in mind if you move the dish your existing cabling needs to move w/ it. You may have to run all new cable if they are too short.

In reference to Harsh's "pole diameter". It should be 2" OUTSIDE diameter.

[harsh]

I am not sure what the hostility about getting over it or finding a phone book is about?Just poking around to see if you had bothered to investigate any options on your own. Not knowing anything about your installation other than you have a new roof that you surely don't want to pierce, it is difficult to say what you need.

If DirecTV or their installers aren't willing to step up and you're not satisfied with the expense of paying someone to do it right, maybe you need to look at whether or not staying with DirecTV is worth the trouble. You probably have at least two other options that you can find in a phone book.

It is often said that "it is only TV" and you shouldn't get an ulcer worrying about how to do it one way if there are other ways to reach the same goal.

Something else to keep in mind is that DirecTV may (or may not) reimburse some or all of your expense for using an installer of your choosing.

[Watrat]

Just poking around to see if you had bothered to investigate any options on your own. Not knowing anything about your installation other than you have a new roof that you surely don't want to pierce, it is difficult to say what you need.

If DirecTV or their installers aren't willing to step up and you're not satisfied with the expense of paying someone to do it right, maybe you need to look at whether or not staying with DirecTV is worth the trouble. You probably have at least two other options that you can find in a phone book.

It is often said that "it is only TV" and you shouldn't get an ulcer worrying about how to do it one way if there are other ways to reach the same goal.

Something else to keep in mind is that DirecTV may (or may not) reimburse some or all of your expense for using an installer of your choosing.

And that required that hostility? Of course I have explored my options and came here to get some advice. You have never looked for a personal recommendation for something when there are just generic advertisements? Most people have been great in replying here or messaging. Not sure, again, what your issue is about.