Thanks to everybody for the helpful replies. I will respond to each in order:
thomasjk You probably need to have the Dish alignment checked. What are the signal strengths for each satellite?
boba Also bear in mind 61.5 is going to be replaced hopefully this fall so signal strength should increase. Start with a repeak.
thomasjk You signals are way too low on 61.5. Call Dish and have the realign the Dish.
Jim5506 Or, do it yourself and save the service call fee (up to $99).
I have realigned three times. 61.5 improves slightly but 72.7 and 77.0 go into the dumpster. I have successfully pointed many different configurations and satellites. Perhaps a Dish contractor could do better (I am not so sure) but at this point I don't want to pay to find out. I checked again today (sunny, few clouds).
61.5 - ranged from 25 (tp10) to 77 (tp05-sb), mostly 25-35
72.7 - ranged from 39 (tp20) to 50 (multiple tp), most 45+
77.0 - ranged from 40 (tp29) to 53 (multiple tp), most 45+
These 61.5 transponders had a SS of 0: 1, 6, 15, 16, 17, 18,26 & 32
The following transponders don't even appear:
72.7 - 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, 26, & 30
77.0 - 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 26, 27, &31
I'm sure the explanation is obvious but I need somebody to provide it.
James Long Fall? More like Summer and at this point "within two weeks" if the schedule holds. Look for your best signal on a spotbeam from E12 ... 61.5 TP 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15 are spots. In my installation the strongest (where my locals are) is around 77. That is what I'd like to see out of E15. I'm currently getting 40s of the E3/E6 transponders at 61.5 (and could probably use a repeak myself).
As far as Bob's problems - a repeak might help but also look for trees. They have a tendency to grow and with dishes like the 1000.4 it isn't always obvious what is in the way of the satellite signal. I ended up getting aiming information off of Dishpointer.com and setting up a camera with the azimuth/elevation needed - just to see what was in the way .If you do add a bigger dish for 61.5 (which I would not do until after E15 was in use in a couple of weeks and only after checking the aim) you can use the same settings for your 1000.4 dish as you're using today. Peak it as best you can between 72.7 and 77 and leave it set. Of course, you probably don't need 77 unless your locals are on it.
jarvantgroup Stand behind your dish and look out to the left hand side of the LNB/lens. The first signal you will hit is 77, then 72, then 61.5. Trees growing into the line-of-sight will affect 61.5 first, then the others. The closer the trees grow towards the LNB/lens, the signal will be affected on 61.5 first.
I will wait and try again. I thought I could optimize 72.7 and 77.0 but since the signals are good why bother? The question no is what size dish should I use for 61.5? Bigger is better but I'd rather have the smallest possible. I guess I will just start with 18" and work up to 30", if necessary. Except for tp05, no spotbeams appear for 61.5 (at least the screen doesn't say so).
There are no obstacles for any of the Eastern Arc satellites. It is really a rain fade issue.
RasputinAXP Except his HD locals, most likely.
You are correct, my locals are on 61.5. Most are designated "HD" but a couple or not. See my new post for details.
rrn i agree signal is to low. a 1000.4 is does have a fourth inport for a wing dish. also if you can get a 1000.2 for a western arc 110,119, and 129. they are not spred out on the horizon so much and bring in a much srtonger signal. you will still get all your high def.
I have LOS issues with the Western Arc, so that is not an option. Can you really tune in both arcs simultaneously (without E*'s permission)?