Is A Signal Of 70 Really OK?

ChrisPC said:

I've had D* for years, and love it. D* called me last week, saying that my signal was too low, according to my Ethernet-connected HR20. The tech came out today, and left 20 minutes later. My 99c signals are still in the low 70s. I called D* back and the CSR had no idea why I was complaining, and said 70 is an OK strength!

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70 may be 'ok', though you're likely to experience more issues with rain fade sooner than if your signal strength was in the upper 90s.

70 isn't "OK" with me, but the CSRs do have a "minimum" level which is lower than my own.

70 is the minimum acceptable signal as far as DirecTV is concerned.

Why the minimum isn't 80, I'll never understand.
If they cared enough about the customer, 80 would be the minimum.

If you have the ability, I'd try to tweak the dish yourself.

Supervolcano said:

70 is the minimum acceptable signal as far as DirecTV is concerned.

Why the minimum isn't 80, I'll never understand.
If they cared enough about the customer, 80 would be the minimum.

If you have the ability, I'd try to tweak the dish yourself.

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Actually it's 60%. :eek2: Which is the bare minimum to get a picture. (Audio comes in at 40%, picture at 60%) Most HSP's the minimum acceptable is 80%. My personal minimum for when I'm on a install/upgrade/service-call is 88.

my minimum is 95
just kidding although on all sats i have readings mostly 95 or higher on all CONUS SATS with just a couple of exceptions :
119 2 transponders are in the 70's (spot beams)
99c transponder 7 is 87

the 2 spot beam sats 99s & 103 S get varying strengths but i am only concerned with 99s transponder 2 as thats where my Locals are beamed on.

Supervolcano said:

70 is the minimum acceptable signal as far as DirecTV is concerned.

Why the minimum isn't 80, I'll never understand.
If they cared enough about the customer, 80 would be the minimum.

If you have the ability, I'd try to tweak the dish yourself.

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I've tried to tweak it, (I used to install) but 75-80 is the best I get on 99c. I have an old model of AT9 that's been known to have signal issues. I guess I just need to get a Slimline and see how it goes. Anyone got one lying around?

Well, we had a big rain tonight and all my HD channels went out...big surprise.

Johnnie5000 said:

Actually it's 60%. :eek2: Which is the bare minimum to get a picture. (Audio comes in at 40%, picture at 60%) Most HSP's the minimum acceptable is 80%. My personal minimum for when I'm on a install/upgrade/service-call is 88.

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Are you going to be in the Nashville area any time soon? D* keeps giving me the runaround.

ChrisPC said:

Are you going to be in the Nashville area any time soon? D* keeps giving me the runaround.

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Well you might try throwing a wet towel over your LNBs and then call DirecTV. If you can get through before it drys out, your levels will be much lower.

I finally sent an email to D* Customer Service, at the address that's been posted on the forum. D* called me just now, and apologized. A senior tech is coming Saturday to fix it.

Once I told them I still had the AT9, the CSR said "Oh...we need to fix that. They should have done that first." He made a note, that the installer must install the Slimline. This CSR will call back next week and make sure everything is correct.

Good to hear they are going to get it fixed for you.

The tech came this morning and did a great job. 90+ on all satellites! He said the dish was loose, the monopoles were loose, and the fine tuning screw was bent. He tightened the monopoles, put in a new Slimline, and everything lined up. He peaked it anyway, just to make sure.