dbmaven
04-27-07, 10:03 AM
An excellent experience today.
Installer showed up at about 9:15 AM (1st app't of the day). Considering that they're over 2 hours away from my location, that's not bad.
He had my hopes up when he said that yesterday all of the units he installed were -100B's ! Unfortunately, they got a new shipment in within the last couple days as they were running low, and they're all -100S's. Would've been nice to get a 100B but no big deal.
Gave me the box - I showed him the dish location and multi-switch. Easy one for him, the old dish was a slimline 3-LNB, and only installed about a year ago with all new cable runs. All he had to do was replace the dish, and Eagle Aspen multiswitch with a Zinwell 6x8. (Note: did not run a 2nd RG6 for the HR20, which is replacing a DTC-100. Don't want to rip off siding and deal with the 2nd run - waiting (hopefully!) for the SWM/FTM solution.) When I mentioned that - he actually knew what it was, and said - "Yeah, that will be a nice option - but it's going to be a while." I was impressed that he was up on what's going on with D* and knew about the SWM.
He was done in about 1 hour with the new dish and Zinwell - everything locked down and very neat. While he did that, I removed the DTC-100 from my entertainment center and hooked up the HR20.
He had problems getting the unit/card activated - his first call was to a rep who really didn't know what they were doing. After about 30 minutes (he wasn't very happy - said that more than half the reps are clueless and more often than not activate the units as an H20 instead of an HR20) - he disconnected, called back, got a real pro who activated the unit properly in less than 3 minutes.
I was very impressed - he did a great job, knew what he was doing, and cleaned up after himself.
Since he left, the unit downloaded the 0146 software update and seems to be working perfectly.
I know that some have had issues with Halstead Communications - but this was a pleasure - couldn't have been better.
So far, so good! Now all I need is that SWM ! :D
Side note - the silver 100S does not look exactly like the black one in the 1st look thread. When I get some time later I'll post pictures of the Dish, multiswitch, and the unit itself.
Installer showed up at about 9:15 AM (1st app't of the day). Considering that they're over 2 hours away from my location, that's not bad.
He had my hopes up when he said that yesterday all of the units he installed were -100B's ! Unfortunately, they got a new shipment in within the last couple days as they were running low, and they're all -100S's. Would've been nice to get a 100B but no big deal.
Gave me the box - I showed him the dish location and multi-switch. Easy one for him, the old dish was a slimline 3-LNB, and only installed about a year ago with all new cable runs. All he had to do was replace the dish, and Eagle Aspen multiswitch with a Zinwell 6x8. (Note: did not run a 2nd RG6 for the HR20, which is replacing a DTC-100. Don't want to rip off siding and deal with the 2nd run - waiting (hopefully!) for the SWM/FTM solution.) When I mentioned that - he actually knew what it was, and said - "Yeah, that will be a nice option - but it's going to be a while." I was impressed that he was up on what's going on with D* and knew about the SWM.
He was done in about 1 hour with the new dish and Zinwell - everything locked down and very neat. While he did that, I removed the DTC-100 from my entertainment center and hooked up the HR20.
He had problems getting the unit/card activated - his first call was to a rep who really didn't know what they were doing. After about 30 minutes (he wasn't very happy - said that more than half the reps are clueless and more often than not activate the units as an H20 instead of an HR20) - he disconnected, called back, got a real pro who activated the unit properly in less than 3 minutes.
I was very impressed - he did a great job, knew what he was doing, and cleaned up after himself.
Since he left, the unit downloaded the 0146 software update and seems to be working perfectly.
I know that some have had issues with Halstead Communications - but this was a pleasure - couldn't have been better.
So far, so good! Now all I need is that SWM ! :D
Side note - the silver 100S does not look exactly like the black one in the 1st look thread. When I get some time later I'll post pictures of the Dish, multiswitch, and the unit itself.