[voodoogmr]

I'm wanting to switch from DirecTV to Dish (ViP-622). However, my house has a lot of trees around it. I have no problem seeing the D* birds (98/100 signal), but from what I can gather, the Dish birds are going to be about 7-degrees lower in elevation. This may present a problem with the treeline. I just can't be sure. I had to mount the D* dish on the chimney, but I'm not sure my somewhat unstable chimney will handle the load of the larger dish. The small 18" D* dish hasn't given me any problems for 6 years.

So, I called Dish first, and the CSR said that an installer would have to install the dish. However, they said I would be charged for the 622 even if the installer is unable to get a signal from the sats. Umm, no thanks!

So, I called the local Dish dealer. This wasn't fun. First, the guy told me that I needed the 625, not the 622. When I repeated that I wanted the HD service, he said the 625 does HD. Uh, I don't think that's correct. He then argued with me about how many receivers I wanted installed. When I finally got him to understand what I needed, he said they would do a site survey before I paid for anything. Nice. He said he was on his way, but that was 3 days ago. I called back, but no response.

I'm already getting a bad taste in my mouth for Dish. Why is this so difficult?

Can anyone recommend the best way to get Dish service, but be able to have the installer do a site survey first before I pay for anything? The trees are in my neighbor's yard, so there's nothing I can do about them.

 

[Jim5506]

If I'm not correct, all the satellites are in approximately the same orbit. Dish HD comes from 61.5, 110 and 129 orbital locations.

In western Tennesee you'll probably be best served with two dishes, a Dish 500 with one LNB aimed at 61.5 and a Dish 500 with a twin LNB aimed at 110/119. There is a Dish 1000 one dish solution, but the 129 satellite is difficult to receive solidly with the 3 lnb unit, not impossible, just not easy.

Your Memphis locals are on a spotbeam on 110. Memphis is currently not on the list for HD locals.

 

[CABill]

These are True, not magnetic Az values.

Latitude: 35.4531°N
Longitude: 89.8201°W

Satellite: 101.1°W
Azimuth: 199.0°
Elevation: 47.1°

Satellite: 110.0°W
Azimuth: 212.4°
Elevation: 43.6°

Satellite: 119.3°W
Azimuth: 224.3°
Elevation: 38.4°

Satellite: 61.5°W
Azimuth: 137.1°
Elevation: 39.1°

Satellite: 129.0°W
Azimuth: 234.6°
Elevation: 31.8°

There isn't a huge difference to get 110 & 119 compared to DirecTV's 101, but either 61.5 or 129 is a pretty wide swing from where you now point (in addition to being a lower elevation). You can do a decent "self site survey" by checking 60° toward the east from where the DirecTV dish (it is a single, not a 3 LNB that is already pointed at 110° - right?) now points to see if you can get 61.5°. When not obvious, you can look through a straw taped to a protractor at the listed elevations to see if tree limbs are in the way.

Other retailers from the website might be worthwhile?
http://locators.interactive.xo.com/Echostar/Echostar.do?zip=38058

 

[voodoogmr]

Thanks for the info. 61.5 is not going to be an option for me. Trees fully cover that part of the sky. I'm not concerned about Dish not offering my locals in HD. I have great reception via OTA. I rarely watch local TV anyway.

I just need to get the equipment ordered and installed. Finding a place to order the stuff and get a site survey first is obviously more challenging than I thought it would be.

 

[bderouen]

Thanks for the info. 61.5 is not going to be an option for me. Trees fully cover that part of the sky. I'm not concerned about Dish not offering my locals in HD. I have great reception via OTA. I rarely watch local TV anyway.

I just need to get the equipment ordered and installed. Finding a place to order the stuff and get a site survey first is obviously more challenging than I thought it would be.

What puzzles me, and what I think is wrong about what you were told is that they said you'd be charged for the 622 even if you couldn't get a signal. That's just not true. I just switched from Direct and i was told I'd have a 30 day guarantee. If the installer couldn't get it to work, or if I'm not happy within the first 30 days, they'd come pull it out and I woudl not owe a thing.

I'd suggest you call back and if you're told that again, ask to speak to a supervisor. That just doesn't sound right.

Bruce

 

[CABill]

What puzzles me, and what I think is wrong about what you were told is that they said you'd be charged for the 622 even if you couldn't get a signal. That's just not true. I just switched from Direct and i was told I'd have a 30 day guarantee. If the installer couldn't get it to work, or if I'm not happy within the first 30 days, they'd come pull it out and I woudl not owe a thing.

I agree about not having to pay the $200 if they can't get a signal, but disagree that if you choose to exercise the 30 day guarantee that you could get the $200 refunded. You ONLY get the 30 day guarantee if you commit to 18 months, and it covers the activation fee, monthly programming fees, DVR fee, waives the cancellation fee, ... but does NOT cover lease upgrade fees (the $200), PPV purchases, and the like.
http://www.dishtv.com/terms_dha04.jsp

your obligation to pay all lease upgrade fees (if applicable) and other fees, charges and other amounts (if any) applicable to your purchase of DISH Network services and/or use of related equipment, shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Residential Customer Agreement.​

 

[voodoogmr]

Well, I finally got in touch with a different local dealer. This dealer was a LOT more knowledgeable about HD than the other dealer was. In fact, he said that other dealer has a reputation for bad service.

He too told me that I was given bad information from that Dish CSR about having to pay the $200 if it couldn't get installed. I knew that sounded a bit unreasonable.

So, he's coming tomorrow to do a free site survey. If all is well, he'll install the equipment on Monday. I'll be getting the same promotion that Dish is running now. And he said that I pay nothing until everything is set up and working properly. Now that is a deal I can live with.

 

[paulman182]

At least one installer here charges the customer $50 if the site survey turns out negative.

 

[voodoogmr]

Yay! The installer came out today and said he'll have no trouble with seeing the sats. So, on Monday I'll have a ViP-622 and a 211 with the HD Gold + locals package with free HBO for 3 months. The installer is even doing this on his day off so I don't have to wait any longer.

And thanks to CABill for telling me about the ClubDISH program. I was able to get a certificate from one of my wife's friends. Going to be saving even more money. I really appreciate all the help.