AT9 Dish re-alignment - Wind

[jaywdetroit]

I called D* today to request my AT9 get re-aligned. My signal is down to the 20s and 30s on 103 - and in the 60s and 70s on 101 after a night of heavy wind a few days back.

They are going to do this one for free this time. But they assured me they would never do this again.

Here are my issues and questions with this:

1. I installed my original single LNB dish myself. I aimed it and got 90s on the signal meter on the first try. In 6 or 7 years, it never went out of alignment.

2. Along comes the installer - (some of you may recall - my installation was horrendous) and grudgingly puts up the AT9. One night of wind, and now its out of alignment.
--- Is this the installers fault or does the AT9 suck?

3. Should I expect this to happen every 6 months with this dish? And is it right/fair for me to pay a $70 service call every time it does?

4. They are coming on Monday. Anyone have any suggestions to make sure I don't have to call them again?

The guy on the phone made it sound like he was giving me the moon after I called, sat on hold, got disconnected, called back, sat on hold for another 10 minutes, re-explained my situation, got transferred to the wrong department, and then finally to the guy on the phone who was doing me a 'favor'.

(The difference between this call and past experience with CSRs is that at least this time they were much more professional and apologetic about screwing up.)

2 steps forward...

[litzdog911]

JayW: Can you post a photo of your dish installation? Is it properly anchored and supported with monopoles for proper stability?

[jaywdetroit]

JayW: Can you post a photo of your dish installation? Is it properly anchored and supported with monopoles for proper stability?

Short answer: can get some photos, not sure how good. Yes - he used the extra poles in the install.


Long answer:
Part of my frustration with all of this, is the following: I have to roof levels. One of them allows me to walk out onto the roof from a room in the house. The other is 2 stories up and accessible only by ladder. (I don't go that high)

The dish install I did, I had the dish on the first roof level. I NEVER had reception issues and rarely rain fade. The AT9 installer swore to me the AT9 would not work there because of trees and because the 99 and 103 were lower than the other satellites.

Okay fine - so he put the dish on the 2nd story. Now I can't (won't) get to the dish. (I did do a 7 story bungee jump to try and conquer this fear, but that only lasted a couple of years.)

So the long answer is - pictures will be tough. :))

[jaywdetroit]

Okay - I was wrong - Zoom is your friend. I got decent pictures.

Two of the Dish install
One of the wires flapping around in the wind
and just for fun..
one of the holes he drilled into the middle of my roof without asking me.

[litzdog911]

First blush .... not a very neat looking install. Not sure why there are coax couplers at the base of your mast - just more chances for connections to get moist and go intermittent. And they didn't even bother to fasten the cable to your house!

When you manage to reach the dish, how secure does it feel? Can you easily wiggle it back & forth? It's tough to tell if the monopoles are securely mounted through the shingles to substructure, or just fastened to the shingles (not good!).

[jaywdetroit]

First blush .... not a very neat looking install. Not sure why there are coax couplers at the base of your mast - just more chances for connections to get moist and go intermittent. And they didn't even bother to fasten the cable to your house!

When you manage to reach the dish, how secure does it feel? Can you easily wiggle it back & forth? It's tough to tell if the monopoles are securely mounted through the shingles to substructure, or just fastened to the shingles (not good!).

Well I won't be making it to the dish so I will have to rely on the 2nd guy who comes out to tell me.

I'm glad you can see why I was so upset with the installation. I got 6 months of Showtime for my trouble. :rolleyes:

What really scares me is what he decided to use to nail the cable down to the roof across the top of the house.

This is part of the reason I was kinda excited about SWM. But then again - I won't go up to that roof - so it won't matter unless I can get someone to install it. But once I do - I could drop the wire off the other side of the house and plug it into the cable feed.

[Halo]

..... not work there because of trees and because the 99 and 103 were lower than the other satellites.

That part is definitely BS. All 5 directv sats are off the west coast of Ecuador above the equator (the 72.5 sat is directly above Ecuador). The 110 and 119 sats are further west so they are a little lower in the sky (especially for the east coast), but 99 and 103 will be at near the same height as the 101 sat. It's possible that trees would block your 119 signal.

I have the AU9 which has fine tune adjustments for both the azimuth and the elevation. It makes fine tuning very easy. I pointed it myself using only the HR20 signal meter. Not sure if the AT9 has the same fine-tune adjustments. I do like that my dish is in a place I can reach easily. Maybe you can see if the next installer could determine if 119 is visible from the lower roof?

[jaywdetroit]

Maybe you can see if the next installer could determine if 119 is visible from the lower roof?

that thought had occurred to me. But what are the chances he would relocate the dish? And there are trees there. I didn't argue too much on that point - other than the fact that I always had a signal in the 90s with the dish in that location.

And interestingly enough - My transponders on 119 are all in the 90s.

[veryoldschool]

one year and no adjustments needed 90-100% all SATs. I did have them tighten all of the mounting bolts though.

[jaywdetroit]

I did have them tighten all of the mounting bolts though.

LOL - you are kidding right?

I mean - you didn't have to ask did you? No wait a minute - maybe I don't want to know.

[veryoldschool]

LOL - you are kidding right?

I mean - you didn't have to ask did you? No wait a minute - maybe I don't want to know.
It wasn't an "ask" as much as a directive, on round three of four service calls to get it done [right].

[jaywdetroit]

It wasn't an "ask" as much as a directive, on round three of four service calls to get it done [right].

Do you have a thread on this? Did you have to pay each time to get them to come out and fix it?

[veryoldschool]

Do you have a thread on this? Did you have to pay each time to get them to come out and fix it?
"Thread"? It would take a forum....
It started with the installer from Hell....who wasn't very helpful as I did the work.
Then day two his boss came out and replaced the mail box the first drove over leaving.
Day three was when all of the work was redone for the even/old transponder problems [every connector needed to be replaced], and all the mountings were rechecked.
Day four was to get me to believe the software was the reason for low power readings.
You have 90 days from a service call for "the next one" to still be free of charge. FWIW

[jaywdetroit]

You have 90 days from a service call for "the next one" to still be free of charge. FWIW

Your install was worse than mine. Though drilling through my brand new roof without asking me, is something I will have a hard time letting go of.

The 90 days thing is why the CSR made a big deal out of what he was doing for me by making a free service call. I thanked him and wasn't flippant, but I did mention that save for lightning, trees, etc, there should not be a need to re-align the dish - and whether it is 90 days or 180 - if there is, something wasn't done right the first time around.

[boba]

Your install was worse than mine. Though drilling through my brand new roof without asking me, is something I will have a hard time letting go of.

The 90 days thing is why the CSR made a big deal out of what he was doing for me by making a free service call. I thanked him and wasn't flippant, but I did mention that save for lightning, trees, etc, there should not be a need to re-align the dish - and whether it is 90 days or 180 - if there is, something wasn't done right the first time around.
Your whole install wasn't done right, NOW you have holes in your roof and a dish probably mounted where it dosen't need to be. Good luck with a new installer hopefully he can salvage your current install.:)

[Tom Robertson]

Your install was worse than mine. Though drilling through my brand new roof without asking me, is something I will have a hard time letting go of.

The 90 days thing is why the CSR made a big deal out of what he was doing for me by making a free service call. I thanked him and wasn't flippant, but I did mention that save for lightning, trees, etc, there should not be a need to re-align the dish - and whether it is 90 days or 180 - if there is, something wasn't done right the first time around.

Must be those hurricane winds up in Michigan... :D

In 8 years, I've never had a dish go out of alignment because of wind. I tighten them bolts.

Good luck,
Tom

[jaywdetroit]

Must be those hurricane winds up in Michigan... :D


Good luck,
Tom

No doubt - 25 mph and I can't watch the one Wings game I tried to watch this year. (the last one). :rolleyes:

[henree]

Your install was worse than mine. Though drilling through my brand new roof without asking me, is something I will have a hard time letting go of.

The 90 days thing is why the CSR made a big deal out of what he was doing for me by making a free service call. I thanked him and wasn't flippant, but I did mention that save for lightning, trees, etc, there should not be a need to re-align the dish - and whether it is 90 days or 180 - if there is, something wasn't done right the first time around.

So what did you expect when you signed up for Direct Tv Installation? Standard installations is mountind dish to Highest part of roof. Where you expecting something else? .........

[litzdog911]

So what did you expect when you signed up for Direct Tv Installation? Standard installations is mountind dish to Highest part of roof. Where you expecting something else? .........

Actually it's usually impossible to get them to install the 5-LNB dish on a roof, let alone at the highest point.

[jaywdetroit]

Actually it's usually impossible to get them to install the 5-LNB dish on a roof, let alone at the highest point.

Why won't they install it on a roof? My neighbor got his slimline installed on the same peak I wanted mine installed on. Do they typically mount it to the side of the house?

[litzdog911]

Why won't they install it on a roof? My neighbor got his slimline installed on the same peak I wanted mine installed on. Do they typically mount it to the side of the house?

Lots of stories here from folks where installers wouldn't do it. It just seems that most installers don't like to do roof installations, especially with the 5-LNB dish. Probably because they're big, heavy and hard to anchor properly (as you've discoverd). Not sure if it's any sort of official DirecTV policy or not.

[Mertzen]

First blush .... not a very neat looking install. Not sure why there are coax couplers at the base of your mast - just more chances for connections to get moist and go intermittent.

Since this dish needs a realignment every time you take off the LNBs it is not uncommon to put a ground block with 4 wires from the LNB going to it. In that case an upgrade can be done easily in case not all 4 outlets are used or a realignment can be done faster too.

[bonscott87]

This dish *will* spin around on the mounting pole if it's not tightened down properly. I've seen posts about too many installs where this simple thing isn't done.

[Birdman79]

Installing slimline on the 2nd story roof is a headache and best be avoided unless it's the only LOS.As far as the install in the picture it's possable that the bolts weren't tight enough.

[Birdman79]

This dish *will* spin around on the mounting pole if it's not tightened down properly. I've seen posts about too many installs where this simple thing isn't done.

Beat me to it by 2 minutes LOL

[veryoldschool]

Since this dish needs a realignment every time you take off the LNBs.
Removing the LNB assembly doesn't require a realignment, if you are careful. I've had mine off several times & it's still "nailed" to the SATs. FWIW

[joe diamond]

Saw the picture and THAT is NOT the standard mast! Your installer tried a trick that would have worked with an 18" dish but NFW with the 5 lnb rig. I would have walked away or offered the 3lnb.but still the 119 sat is about 9 degrees lower than the 101....You have a tree or building problem. Best cure...guy wire, more holes in the roof for the attachment points....and a crutch UNDEER the mast to support that pig!

Joe

[Dwrecked]

Actually, due to the size and weight of the AT9 dish, it is very susceptible to flexing as a result of high speed or prolonged wind. D* did testing before it was released and confirmed this. So if you live in a windy area, the need for a tune up every once in a while is not out of the ordinary. It has nothing to do with the installation per se, just the shear size of the thing. The slimline, due to its smaller size, is not effected in the same way.

Have D* make up a work order for a new KAKU dish and your problem will be solved, assuming the mast and monopoles are solid.

[D-Bamatech]

Saw the picture and THAT is NOT the standard mast! Your installer tried a trick that would have worked with an 18" dish but NFW with the 5 lnb rig. I would have walked away or offered the 3lnb.but still the 119 sat is about 9 degrees lower than the 101....You have a tree or building problem. Best cure...guy wire, more holes in the roof for the attachment points....and a crutch UNDEER the mast to support that pig!

Joe

Your right Joe . That IS NOT a standard 2" mast as provided with AU or AT (at least as the picture portrays anyway and it sure doesnt look like it).
Looks to me like a super dish (Echostar) mast or something. > (?)
(Look at the over all length of that "thing".. The Elevation (due to length of mast) and weight distribution of "that thing" is out of "canter".(lol)

Those supports ARE NOT high enough on the mast used either and the angle they are placed (degree of center) doesnt do much good as actual support to prevent "sway" IMO either.

Btw a ANOTHER Nasty looking install just in general on a nice, nice hm. (sigh)
> That cbl "flopping in the wind"??? .. ughghg.

Orig Poster ::rolleyes: Man make those "Standard wanna be's techs", FIX that thing!

[Cap'n Preshoot]

If your AT/AU9 was blown off path by wind, the possibilities are in this order of liklihood:
1. Improper initial install
2. One holy mother of a storm (wind in excess of 60 mph)
But if ever there's any doubt, see reason #1 above. 99 times in 100 that's it.

[satguy22]

Lots of stories here from folks where installers wouldn't do it. It just seems that most installers don't like to do roof installations, especially with the 5-LNB dish. Probably because they're big, heavy and hard to anchor properly (as you've discoverd). Not sure if it's any sort of official DirecTV policy or not.

My company will not install on roof because of insurance problems. seems it cost lots more. there fore its either post,pole or wide eve of house.

[D-Bamatech]

My company will not install on roof because of insurance problems. seems it cost lots more. there fore its either post,pole or wide eve of house.


hmmmm. Is "your company" (as you put it) a LARGE NAtional Independent Install Company close to the Tampa area.

The rf is the last result for me as to the fact and For LOS (line of site) reasons only. A pl Mt with concrete and dial pins in its base with conduit is the prefered primary procedure.( ANd NO that IS NOT FREE.)
You get what you pay for and nothing worth a D**m in this world IS free, i dont care what you people are SOLD.
You want QUAITY Dont call 1-800 D* and FREE.
If You want to gamble as such.... Go to Las Vegas!

[funhouse69]

I thought I would throw my story out there... It took me a total of 5 "Visits" to get my HD Upgrade **Knock on Wood** Right.

Installer #1 didn't want to touch the job. Couldn't get a good signal where the original Dual LNB Dish was and didn't want to do anything else.

Installer #2 managed to install the dish in the last possible place I gave as an option (of course) which is in the front of my house so everyone can see the dish there (and if they have a clue that I have an HD TV). Anyway he didn't even know how to do a basic multi-switch install. He couldn't figure out why he was getting some Sat signals from the Multi-Switch but not others. Well when you go from a 5 LNB Dish only two connections to an old 2x8 Multi-Switch are going to cut it. He tried other multi-switches but never figured out he needed another pair of connections off of the dish. I tried to tell him but apparently he "Took the 2 week Course" and also shadowed someone that was the best of the best :eek2:

Anyway installer #3 comes out and runs the second paid and to "Peak" the Dish the first thing he did was cut the original two new connections that the first guy installed to put his meter on. I wasn't very happy to see that at all. He managed to get me up and running with what he said were excellent signals.

Installer # 4 comes out after I loose my local HD stations when it gets even the slightest bit cloudy out. He tweaks the dish as well but then tried to tell me that it was a bad receiver oh yeah and that I needed to replace all of my inside wiring because it was run near a heater less than a year ago.

Installer # 5 comes out last week and this guy seemed to have a clue. I posted the results to this once I got a clue on this site and asked what I should be seeing on all of my sats. The link to that post is here.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=900507&postcount=10

Hopefully I will be able to withstand the next rainstorm - we will see if not I'm dumping it. I think that 5 strikes and they are more than out.

As sad as it is you have to keep trying... As I've stated several times before in other postings 10 years with SD and not a single service call - 1 Month with HD and 4 service calls :nono2:

[jaywdetroit]

Is the general consensus that the Slimline is better than the AT9? Should I push to have the dish installed? Will he have one on his truck?

[tmwes]

I got my AT9 installed last September. There was a hellacious windstorm sometime in November that required them to come out an realign it (wish I knew about the within 90 days line; I bought insurance at that point). About a month ago, we had another hellacious wind storm, and it got knocked out of whack again.

Same guy that came in November (but not the one that did the original install) came out, and 'fixed' it, but it didn't work by the time I got home from work.

Third trip 2 days later; and it was the guy who did my original install (who seemed very good, BTW)...he saw that some of the brace bolts were not tightened, and for good measure, he added a second brace.

We haven't had another day of huge wind yet; so we'll see what happens next time. I'd imagine we should be all set now.

[veryoldschool]

Is the general consensus that the Slimline is better than the AT9? Should I push to have the dish installed? Will he have one on his truck?
AT/AU 9 doesn't really matter, but I don't think the AT9 is still available anymore. FWIW

[bonscott87]

Is the general consensus that the Slimline is better than the AT9? Should I push to have the dish installed? Will he have one on his truck?

Honeslty if I were you I'd have the guy that comes take it all down and do it right, with the correct mount this time as well. Slimline or AT9 doesn't matter but it won't hurt to get the slimline if the guy has one and will replace it.

After I got a proper 2 inch mount on my pipe and tightened my dish down it hasn't moved once in all the strong 50+ mph winds we had last week. It's solid, just needs to be installed properly. ;) There is a lot less room for error with these things.

[jaywdetroit]

Honeslty if I were you I'd have the guy that comes take it all down and do it right, with the correct mount this time as well. Slimline or AT9 doesn't matter but it won't hurt to get the slimline if the guy has one and will replace it.

After I got a proper 2 inch mount on my pipe and tightened my dish down it hasn't moved once in all the strong 50+ mph winds we had last week. It's solid, just needs to be installed properly. ;) There is a lot less room for error with these things.

They came out this morning and tweaked the dish. He is going to have his supervisor come out. He actually recommended a damage claim.

I really wish those SWM modules were ready for prime time - it would make this much easier. We could drop the line off the other side of the house and hook into the cable system.

[Alebob911]

Honeslty if I were you I'd have the guy that comes take it all down and do it right, with the correct mount this time as well. Slimline or AT9 doesn't matter but it won't hurt to get the slimline if the guy has one and will replace it.

After I got a proper 2 inch mount on my pipe and tightened my dish down it hasn't moved once in all the strong 50+ mph winds we had last week. It's solid, just needs to be installed properly. ;) There is a lot less room for error with these things.


I agree 100%!! They offer "Professional Installation" and my 10 yeard old would do a better job then what is pictured. My slimeline is mounted to my roof with the mono supports and I have not had any issue with it at all. We had pretty gusty winds for the last 3-4 days and have not had one problem with signal. You need to tell the next guy what you want don't let him push you around saying this would be better or that would be best. Make sure you get what you want! Its unfortunate but you have to sometimes put your foot down because these installers get paid by the job and the more they do the more they make. Good Luck!!

[jaywdetroit]

I agree 100%!! They offer "Professional Installation" and my 10 yeard old would do a better job then what is pictured. My slimeline is mounted to my roof with the mono supports and I have not had any issue with it at all. We had pretty gusty winds for the last 3-4 days and have not had one problem with signal. You need to tell the next guy what you want don't let him push you around saying this would be better or that would be best. Make sure you get what you want! Its unfortunate but you have to sometimes put your foot down because these installers get paid by the job and the more they do the more they make. Good Luck!!

Well the guy that came out today said the same thing. That the whole thing needs to be redone and that the lines need to be rerun. The problem with that is that the lines are fished through the attic and into a wall. They are already drilled through the roof.

Much as I agree - and have been pissed about this install - I almost want to wait for the SWM so it can be redone without going through the roof AGAIN.

He said the install isn't even grounded either.

[D-Bamatech]

Well the guy that came out today said the same thing. That the whole thing needs to be redone and that the lines need to be rerun. The problem with that is that the lines are fished through the attic and into a wall. They are already drilled through the roof.

Much as I agree - and have been pissed about this install - I almost want to wait for the SWM so it can be redone without going through the roof AGAIN.

He said the install isn't even grounded either.

ITS ALL FREEEEE! ....and so is all this un ness frustration and hallf a** work.

Quality has a price.
These Mickey mouse under paid wanna be's are Not trained technicians .. they are Installers (2 completely diff forms). These Hsp syndicates have NO value in Quality but only Quantity.

Are you telling me these people DRILLED through your roof??
Man if so, dont even think twice "do what you know" if you get my drift AND MAKE justice. Simple.
(You are protected under LAW against this FYI and to HINT)

The rest of these stories here.

Well heres you one:
a potential cust of mine from weeks back was going to get me to do his upgrade. Well in some deal at CC or best buy he rec 'some deal" in the purchase of his new H D TV. (so he was "so-called upgraded" last wed)

Today MY phone rings w/ him saying He was robbed of 50$ (told 75 and then made a deal in which the "installer" (HSP) says in cash he''ll take 50 But if paid in check its 60$.. so scaam alert to me right off the jump)
Well right off (gut feeling) i get the cx to go to his sig meters on both a standard IRD and the H-20.

Guess what.. No signal on 119 period. Intermittent with one transponder on 119 attempting to break the meter at zero.

he has NO espn2 or HDnet, Or discovery HD. All others are there per each sat and the channel locations assigned per the transponders. (he didnt even know it either because he hasnt watched these channels and the other HD feeds he watches comes from 110 or the spot beam)

SO, Im going to fix the thing right after all..
DTv WILL be called , the cust WILL BE reimbursed for MY costs and the dish it done right and there Will BE NO service call again.
So the moral holds true.
Roll the dice if you want too with these Numbers game ran under trained and under staffed "installers".
If you spend over a grand for a HD tv what in the world would you want to feed it with a serv (that is under contract) with piss poor signal or in my Cust case ... No signal at all.
Its a foolish gamble and in some cases a simple Trap, just like the installers are in. "A trapped up" racket!

How much is all this frustration worth to you peole BTW? How many days, for some of you, do you sit home and wait on someone to come? When they do come what is the percentage you will be happy w/ the install or be guarenteed good service? How many return trips does it take? Each day you miss of wk because of this madness.. well how much is that worth?

Do you peole realize that every tom dick and harry that has a drivers license is doing this mess
Its pitiful.

This forum is depressing to me to be honest after well over a decade in this trade to see what i see and hear not only on this site but in living color.
=The trade is destroyed By Greed and under qualified (who work for nothing) destructers of YOUR HOME!