View Full Version : Second failed attempt at new dish install
stevewallace
07-03-07, 02:04 PM
In January I called Directv to get the HR20 and new dish installed. They were not able to schedule the new dish install until April 30th. Ya, that isn't a misprint, 4 months! So I convinced them to give me a programing discount and let me go and buy the HR20 while I waited for the new dish. April 30th came and so did the installer. My current dish is on the back roof of my garage and it has a pretty steep pitch to it. The installer was unable to get up there with the dish and so he said he would have to schedule for someone else. The second installer came, who I just happened to know from high school, and attempted the same feat multiple times with no luck at all. He said he almost fell off my roof because the new dish is so awkward to try to carry up. He said the only other place in my yard would be in the front yard next to the driveway. Even then, he said that if a vehicle parked in the driveway it would kill the signal. I don't think he was BS'ing me, because like I said we had been friends throughout school. Directv called and offered to come out a third time, but my fear is that it would be a bad install job just to get it done. I've seen this new dish now and wonder how far we are from the old 80's dishes!
So now I am stuck with a two year comitment, a $300 DVR that I will have to give back because I "leased" it, and no upgrade path to MPG4. Has anyone else run into this with this 5 LNB upgrade?
In January I called Directv to get the HR20 and new dish installed. They were not able to schedule the new dish install until April 30th. Ya, that isn't a misprint, 4 months! So I convinced them to give me a programing discount and let me go and buy the HR20 while I waited for the new dish. April 30th came and so did the installer. My current dish is on the back roof of my garage and it has a pretty steep pitch to it. The installer was unable to get up there with the dish and so he said he would have to schedule for someone else. The second installer came, who I just happened to know from high school, and attempted the same feat multiple times with no luck at all. He said he almost fell off my roof because the new dish is so awkward to try to carry up. He said the only other place in my yard would be in the front yard next to the driveway. Even then, he said that if a vehicle parked in the driveway it would kill the signal. I don't think he was BS'ing me, because like I said we had been friends throughout school. Directv called and offered to come out a third time, but my fear is that it would be a bad install job just to get it done. I've seen this new dish now and wonder how far we are from the old 80's dishes!
So now I am stuck with a two year comitment, a $300 DVR that I will have to give back because I "leased" it, and no upgrade path to MPG4. Has anyone else run into this with this 5 LNB upgrade?
I know it wouldn't be easy, but they could take the dish up in pieces and assemble it on the roof. That is how I would instruct my guys to do it.
Most guys today run from a job if it is going to be even the slightest bit difficult. I don't blame them with what they are getting payed.
Levi
aim2pls
07-03-07, 02:52 PM
old old trick for a steep roof (definately NOT OSHA approved)
get a single piece ladder (take a extension apart if you must)
a length of heavy line (rope if you will)
throw the line over the peak and tie to the ladder putt up to the peak and tie off the rope "tight"
this will give "safer" access
like I said .. this method is definately NOT OSHA approved
Cable Lover
07-03-07, 05:46 PM
Go with cable!:)
Go with cable!:)Pay no attention to the troll.
C'mon...if you're serious about satellite you'll bring a crane in! :)
SubaruWRX
07-03-07, 06:14 PM
Pay no attention to the troll.
I can count the numbers of days that the user will be no longer.
Grydlok
07-03-07, 10:12 PM
I know it wouldn't be easy, but they could take the dish up in pieces and assemble it on the roof. That is how I would instruct my guys to do it.
Most guys today run from a job if it is going to be even the slightest bit difficult. I don't blame them with what they are getting payed.
Levi
Slightest bit difficult, how about the slightest bit unsafe. Osha is cracking down on companies that try to force installers on unsafe roof. It's easy to tell somebody how to do when you are not their. I worked in Sykesville, I know how those roof are.
stevewallace
07-03-07, 11:51 PM
I don't what I'm more fearful of, a crappy install that would ruin my roof, or a good wind that will catch the thing and rip it out of the roof. It has guide wires for crying out loud. Where is the 18" dish that we all started with!!!! It is getting just a tad out of control. I think I am going to be forced to go with cable (when my contract is out) because FIOS hasn't even been started in my county yet.
bwaldron
07-04-07, 12:40 AM
Where is the 18" dish that we all started with!!!!
Still around, still works fine if the SD programming on 101 is all you need. With more programming comes more bandwidth requirements -> more satellites to point at -> bigger dish required.
FIOS is a great option if it's available to you (and you're not a major sports fan)...though its install has its own unique requirements and difficulties.
Me, I started with a 10 foot dish ;)
CCarncross
07-04-07, 06:31 AM
Guide wires? Are you referring to the 2 monopole supports for twisting in high winds? Is that a problem for you or are you just trolling to stir up trouble?
Go with cable!:)
Does your mommy not give you enough attention? :confused:
Cable Lover
07-04-07, 08:03 AM
Does your mommy not give you enough attention? :confused:
I'm 31 years old, thank you. Nothing against DBS, but I believe cable is the future, just like it was the past.
DBS has a fine picture, but the committments will be what kills it for the mainstream. Most people don't like having a 24 month committment. Alot can happen in two years. Digital cable also has a better picture, and you can bundle services.
I'm 31 years old, thank you. Nothing against DBS, but I believe cable is the future, just like it was the past.
DBS has a fine picture, but the committments will be what kills it for the mainstream. Most people don't like having a 24 month committment. Alot can happen in two years. Digital cable also has a better picture, and you can bundle services.
AFIK, commitments have been around since D* first began operating. The only difference is that with HD equipment the commitment is for two years instead of the one year it was for SD.
The commitment policy didn't kill the initial growth of D* and they shouldn't kill it in the future.
aim2pls
07-04-07, 08:24 AM
I'm 31 years old, thank you. Nothing against DBS, but I believe cable is the future, just like it was the past.
DBS has a fine picture, but the committments will be what kills it for the mainstream. Most people don't like having a 24 month committment. Alot can happen in two years. Digital cable also has a better picture, and you can bundle services.
each to their own > current majors (no specific order intended)
1) OTA (of course)
2) Cable
3) satellite (pick a brand)
4) Fiber optics to the home (aka Telco's)
pluses and minuses of each ..... beauty is in the eye of the beholder
all i care is I get paid
btw .. who has the most shopping and religious channels anyway (tongue in cheek)
I'm 31 years old, thank you. Nothing against DBS, but I believe cable is the future, just like it was the past.
DBS has a fine picture, but the committments will be what kills it for the mainstream. Most people don't like having a 24 month committment. Alot can happen in two years. Digital cable also has a better picture, and you can bundle services.
Whatever you say buddy, :rolleyes: I just don't know what would posses a person to post "troll" type comments on a message board? Other than being starved for attention.
And FWIW, I left Comcast in April. Their HD picture quality is NO better than D*s PERIOD.
JFHughes08088
07-04-07, 09:07 AM
I know it wouldn't be easy, but they could take the dish up in pieces and assemble it on the roof. That is how I would instruct my guys to do it.
Most guys today run from a job if it is going to be even the slightest bit difficult. I don't blame them with what they are getting payed.
Levi
Hey, if the roofers can shingle it, a D* installer can put a dish on it.
Has anyone else run into this with this 5 LNB upgrade?A coworker of mine has had three failed installs and he's still waiting after eight months. First installer said he didn't have the dish with him after the site survey. Second installer said that his company didn't do pole mounts (a pole mount was on the order). The customer did a pole mount where recommended and the third installer installed a dish, but the installer cautioned that trees were going to kill the Ka satellites (he was right). In this case, the trees are coming down, but if they weren't, my coworker would be forced to do another pole mount on his dime even though the installer spec'ed the pole and location.
There are some habitually poor installation contractors and there are some that are quite a bit more conscientious. We don't hear enough about the good ones.
CobraGuy
07-04-07, 09:24 AM
There are some habitually poor installation contractors and there are some that are quite a bit more conscientious. We don't hear enough about the good ones.
:goodjob:
JLucPicard
07-04-07, 02:30 PM
DBS has a fine picture, but the committments will be what kills it for the mainstream. Most people don't like having a 24 month committment. Alot can happen in two years.
Tell the cell phone industry that commitments will kill their business - and the public seems pretty OK with that as it seems you can't go anywhere and get away from cell phones. And I have a feeling that aspect is desensitizing people a little to the whole 'fear of commitment' thing.
And you're right - a lot can happen in two years. Heck, just a year ago, D* didn't have anywhere NEAR the HD they're going to have within a year from now (or much less!!) :D
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