DBSTalk Forum banner

Can AIM meters be used by amateurs?

4K views 64 replies 10 participants last post by  P Smith 
#1 ·
Hi Everyone,

We have a property in an incredibly remote area that professional installers won't go to. We setup a low def directv dish a few years ago and had it working well. Now with the new high def directv dish we installed we can't get local channels. Have tried for hours to get it dialed in but no luck (read everything I could...got it plum, etc.). I'm willing to take the plunge and buy a used AIM meter for a few hundred bucks if it will help me get it dialed in (I don't have any other options at this point) but want to make sure it doesn't require an access code only pro installers can get, and also that it is something that is intuitive to use and I'll be able to figure out.

Any thoughts?
 
#2 ·
Are you using a a 3LNB -the reason you may not be getting locals could be based on you location -Needing a 5LNB to get to the 119 for your locals. -3LNB 99-101-103 - 5 LNB 99-101-103-110-119
 
#3 ·
#5 ·
Since you live in a very remote place, you might not get locals.
Try this link, type in your zip code and see what it shows.
www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/localChannels.jsp?assetId=cms_local_channels&_requestid=1320664
Appreciate the tip. Our cabin is actually in Canada (very close to the border) so I can't make the zip code tool work. There are 20+ other houses next door to ours that get all the channels on Directv so I do know it's possible even though we are technically across the border.
 
#7 ·
I wouldn't spend "a few hundred bucks" just for one install, first get a sat where is your local reside from Gary Toma spreadsheet (using ZIP for nearest city at US side of closest border)
- post signal level matrix for each page on STB setup (easy to make photos)
 
#12 ·
The zipcode thing isn't an option. On Vancouver Island and there isn't land do the south of us as we are west of the U.S.

I definitely want to keep exploring the options everyone is throwing out but would also love thoughts on my original question about the AIM meter and if they are easy to use / need some kind of access code / password I can't get without being a professional installer. At this point, if I can make the problem go away for 300 bucks using a used AIM meter it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Will reply to other suggestions as well.
 
#33 ·
Subbing is subscribing ... the only legal way of watching subscription content.

DIRECTV cannot authorize service where your dish is actually located. The service address can be different from the billing address (normally due to mailing addresses not matching physical addresses). But both addresses must be in the US where DIRECTV sells service.
 
#37 ·
If it was moved far enough that it is in a different market area (meaning the local CBS, ABC, etc. stations that serve the location are different) then yes Directv will need to reflect the change in location on your account. An account can have one and only one service address associated with it.

Because of that, a change in service address will affect ALL receivers on your account regardless of where they are located. That means if you have some receivers at your house and one or more at your cabin on the same account, and those locations are far enough apart, it may not be possible to receive locals on receivers at both locations. The only way around that would be a separate account for the cabin.
 
#55 ·
If its dented it is probably also bent by whatever dented it. Not worth trying to diagnose with a piece of string or whatever crazy ideas PSmith feeds you, just get a new one you know isn't damaged. If a new one cost $5000 then maybe you'd want to avoid the expense, but they're cheap.
 
#57 ·
You always give these engineer minded solutions telling people "take your multimeter and do x" or "hook it up to a spectrum analyzer and you'll see" which aren't realistic for 99% of the people who come here with questions.

Sure, you COULD diagnose whether the dish is bent or not (and hope you do it properly so you get the right answer) but why bother when a complete new dish including LNB costs like $50.
 
#58 ·
Is that $50 US or CAN?

Assuming that it is broke and buying a replacement without diagnosis can get expensive. It is ok if a suggestion turns out to be beyond the user's skill set. But when it is a case of not knowing if the equipment is bad or not a little diagnostics help can go a long way.

As noted in the first post, DIRECTV will not be out to help install/repair at this site.
 
#60 ·
As the person asking for help, I don't think there has to be one right answer--just ideas and different ways of thinking. I thought both were valid points and I always appreciate the free way to try and also knowing that if i do need to throw money at the problem that it isn't that expensive. I ended up buying a new one because that way we will know we have a working unit (I guess you never know but barring something weird it should work) and if we get up there and something isn't working it will be a wasted trip and beyond frustrating. Also, given we spent hours trying to aim it and took notes on signal readings for each position....and still couldn't get it tuned in, it seems like starting with fresh equipment for 125 bucks delivered was a good way to go.

P.Smith has been a huge help and i appreciate it, even if i ended up buying new stuff. AIM meter arrived today (which if you remember, started this entire thread). Brace yourselves for help questions on April 1st (plenty of foolish questions only they won't be an April fool's joke).
 
#62 ·
As the person asking for help, I don't think there has to be one right answer--just ideas and different ways of thinking. I thought both were valid points and I always appreciate the free way to try and also knowing that if i do need to throw money at the problem that it isn't that expensive. I ended up buying a new one because that way we will know we have a working unit (I guess you never know but barring something weird it should work) and if we get up there and something isn't working it will be a wasted trip and beyond frustrating. Also, given we spent hours trying to aim it and took notes on signal readings for each position....and still couldn't get it tuned in, it seems like starting with fresh equipment for 125 bucks delivered was a good way to go.

P.Smith has been a huge help and i appreciate it, even if i ended up buying new stuff. AIM meter arrived today (which if you remember, started this entire thread). Brace yourselves for help questions on April 1st (plenty of foolish questions only they won't be an April fool's joke).
link for AIM instructions:

https://manuals.solidsignal.com/DIRECTV_AIM_Manual.pdf

I don't know if the meter has to be registered
in order to use it.
 
#63 ·
I just picked up a used DirecTV AIM meter off Ebay and
was able to use it. It was easy to use following the instructions:

https://manuals.solidsignal.com/DIRECTV_AIM_Manual.pdf

I will say that you can dial in the dish using the signal meters on
your receiver. I found it easier to set up the tv and receiver by the dish so you can see the adjustments as you make them. Of course this may be difficult if your dish is mounted high (mine is mounted at ground level)
 
#65 ·
I would recommend to buy professional camera and tripod - to get high quality picture, to see all numbers at SS screen readable on the tablet and robust robotic arm remotely controlling to press buttons on STB remote :D
oh ! and high power AP WiFi device to send/receive a signals to 200" at least... ;)
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top