newbie with possible multiple signal problems...HELP

[palooka23]

Hello all,

First time poster looking for help.
My signal had been slowly degrading over the last few weeks until now - I get no channels at all. Only locals.
I have a triple LNB and standard definition service. I have an 4x8 powered multiswitch.
I noticed little by little I was getting interference. Since we have had a lot of rain, I thought it might be the weather.

I also noticed that my neighbors trees looked like they might be interfering. I trimmed the trees and no help. Signal kept going lower and lower.
I also live near a “preserve” with very large pine trees. Although I have never had a problem before, I thought the tall trees may be an issue. There is nothing I can do for these trees. Protected area.

Well over the last week.the signal has completely gone away on every channel EXCEPT the locals. I get no program info (unavailable), no channels. Nothing.
I was thinking that maybe because of the rain, and intense heat, the LNBs are fried. (Possible that the one LNB that has all the DTV channels and the local one is still working)
Then I thought, maybe I am getting interference from the trees. (Why are locals not affected?)
Finally, I thought, maybe the multiswitch is bad (not sure how to test this)
I am desperate, please help me troubleshoot my system.
I have no idea how or what to test.

[aim2pls]

Hello all,

First time poster looking for help.
My signal had been slowly degrading over the last few weeks until now - I get no channels at all. Only locals.
I have a triple LNB and standard definition service. I have an 4x8 powered multiswitch.
I noticed little by little I was getting interference. Since we have had a lot of rain, I thought it might be the weather.

I also noticed that my neighbors trees looked like they might be interfering. I trimmed the trees and no help. Signal kept going lower and lower.
I also live near a “preserve” with very large pine trees. Although I have never had a problem before, I thought the tall trees may be an issue. There is nothing I can do for these trees. Protected area.

Well over the last week.the signal has completely gone away on every channel EXCEPT the locals. I get no program info (unavailable), no channels. Nothing.
I was thinking that maybe because of the rain, and intense heat, the LNBs are fried. (Possible that the one LNB that has all the DTV channels and the local one is still working)
Then I thought, maybe I am getting interference from the trees. (Why are locals not affected?)
Finally, I thought, maybe the multiswitch is bad (not sure how to test this)
I am desperate, please help me troubleshoot my system.
I have no idea how or what to test.


sounds more like you dish has moved (aka you lost signals gradually) ...this can be caused by loose nuts/bolts

repoint the dish .... dont forget to make sure the base/mount nuts are tight

the LNB screw is in place and tight

another possibility is a bad connector and/or water invasion inthe connections

good luck

[Tom Robertson]

Welcome to the forums, palooka23! :welcome_s

I'm wondering if the coax connections are oxidizing in the rain and heat perhaps.

Could you post the signal strengths for the transponders for all three satellite locations? That might also help.

Cheers,
Tom

[palooka23]

Thanks for the welcome.
I only get test data for sat 101. (it has always been this way) It used to be in the 90's, then as signal was degrading, I repointed and only got to the mid 50's, now nothing....... This led me to think it was the trees. But since my last adjustment, it dropped like a hammer. No I get no signal. I havent tested the strength in the last week.

I will check the connection. In my older home, when I did a self install for a dual LNB I put rubber boot around the connection with some dielectric grease to prevent corrosion. I do not remember the tech doing the same at my new place.

If it is the cable, what to do? Splice and add new connector?

[jdspencer]

When you find a bad connection, the only alternative is to replace the connector, and waterproof it. This includes all connections from the LNB to inside the house.

When you check the signal strengths, do you see anything anomalous in them? Like the evens are missing?

[palooka23]

I got home this afternoon and decided to move the dish to a new location (away from the neighbors trees and clearing the preserve. I instantly went from 0 to 100!
Only problem is that no I get no locals, and when checking sat 101, I only get odd transponders.

I could really use some guidance here.

[Stuart Sweet]

Check that all your connections are tight and that the cable ends are not corroded.

[palooka23]

I have checked to make sure cables are tight and non-corroded. Everything on that side seems ok

Can I troubleshoot this way?

I have a triple LNB with 4 outputs. I was just wondering if one controls odd the other even.

Take a box and TV right to the lnb. Hook one good cable up to any LNB outlet.

If the LNB is good, and the cable is good, that would give me both odd and even xponders on any and all of outputs during signal test correct?

If that test does work and gives me both odd and even right from the LNB with a good cable on all four outlets, then I could presume that the mulitswitch or a cable is bad.

Agree? Disagree?

[palooka23]

bump...........please.....I still am only getting signal on odd transponders

[veryoldschool]

If you go out to the dish with your setup and use a single coax and check each output from the dish's internal multi-switch.
If everything is good there, then go back to your setup [inside]. If you still only get odd transponders from the 101 SAT, then look at the multi-switch/coax to the dish. You odd TPs are one the 13 volt line and your even TPs are on the 18 volt line.
try swapping the coax at the multi-switch and see if your even/odd TPs swap also [this will point to a bad coax] if they don't then it might be your multi-switch.