Need expert satellite TV information

[wagonmaster2]

About 3 weeks or so ago while camping in Colorado we had been watching Directv for several days when all at once every few minutes the picture would go out and message on screen would say "searching for satellite" for a couple of minutes, after which the picture would be back on for several minutes. This routine continued for quite some time before we went to bed.

Whether the picture was on or off the meter reading was always around 90-92 and the 32 transponders were reading in the 86-95, except when the picture was off then every other transponder was "0". When the picture was on there was only 3 transponders reading "0".
Thinking there might be something about the distant trees interferring with the signal I spent about 30 minutes the next day moving the tri-pod mounted dish and got a good steady picture for several days before it started messing up again. This time I called Directv but as usual it wouldn't mess up while I had them on the line. They insisted there was probably something wrong with my connections, the dish, the receiver, or my cable. Anyway they could send out a technician (yeh right, out to the campground).

And guess what, since I called them everything has been working fine for almost 3 weeks now.

Question: How could all the meter and transponder readings be as good as usual and intermittently get a bunch of "0's" on the transponders without changing the beeping meter reading? And was there something Directv could have done to correct the problem without admitting it was there problem?

Wagonmaster2

[bdpreece]

Sometimes rebooting the receiver by removing power will take care of reception problems. Satellite TV requires a clear, uninterrupted connection between your receiver and a satellite. Therefore, any inclement weather like overcast skies, rain, snow or heavy fog can cause a degradation in picture quality. Also sun spots or solar flares will cause reception problems

[RDGee]

When there is a storm somewhere blocking the satellite. we get that message.

[Bill Adams]

This is almost always caused by cabling issues with a tripod setup. If you can I would suggest that you cut off your current cable end(s) outside and connect new F connector ends. It's quite possible that when you move the antenna you happened to have moved a cable enough to have restored a good connection.

[MICHIGAN CAMPER]

Wagonmaster,
I don't think it's YOUR equipment, It's happening here in Michigan at our home too. Just seemed to start maybe two-three weeks ago.
I'm sure we'll never get a straight answer out of a company when the customer cannot point out the exactly problem.

I have a few months to go on MY contract with Direct. If at the end of my contract the problem is still there I'll have to switch over to Dish again,... 'til THEY have problems again and then I'll switch back to DirecTV. Aaah, the games people play...
michigancamper

[FlyingDiver]

As Bill said, it could be the cables. The "every other transponder goes to zero" makes it think it's loosing either odd or even transponders, which could also point to a problem with the LNB. If fixing the cable doesn't work, you might want to replace the LNB.

joe

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2 About 3 weeks or so ago while camping in Colorado we had been watching Directv for several days when all at once every few minutes the picture would go out and message on screen would say "searching for satellite" for a couple of minutes, after which the picture would be back on for several minutes. This routine continued for quite some time before we went to bed. Whether the picture was on or off the meter reading was always around 90-92 and the 32 transponders were reading in the 86-95, except when the picture was off then every other transponder was "0". When the picture was on there was only 3 transponders reading "0". Thinking there might be something about the distant trees interferring with the signal I spent about 30 minutes the next day moving the tri-pod mounted dish and got a good steady picture for several days before it started messing up again. This time I called Directv but as usual it wouldn't mess up while I had them on the line. They insisted there was probably something wrong with my connections, the dish, the receiver, or my cable. Anyway they could send out a technician (yeh right, out to the campground). And guess what, since I called them everything has been working fine for almost 3 weeks now. Question: How could all the meter and transponder readings be as good as usual and intermittently get a bunch of "0's" on the transponders without changing the beeping meter reading? And was there something Directv could have done to correct the problem without admitting it was there problem? Wagonmaster2

My signals show ok except on xponders 4, 18, 20 and 28 and they are always 0.

I have found when you only get signals on even or odd xponders, it can be due to the cable to the horn. You are not getting the antenna rotated to cover the off polarization. Whether no voltage to the motor or stuck antenna.

[wagonmaster2]

When everything is working right with good picture on local and network channels only 18, 20, and 28 are "0". When things go haywired then 2,4,6,8,12,14, 18,20,26,28,&32 are "0" with 24 included in there occasionally.

Just seems funny it happened one day, I moved the tripod, it happened again, but after I called Directv CS it never happened any more. No storms or clouds in the area, only a little windy. The first time it happened was after dark, which they tried to blame it on, but the funny thing was the disruption stopped as soon as the evening news started at 10:00 PM and was great clear up to mid-night when we went to bed. Then when it started the next day just before noon was when I decided to move the tripod.

Wagonmaster2

[Pusherman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Adams This is almost always caused by cabling issues with a tripod setup. If you can I would suggest that you cut off your current cable end(s) outside and connect new F connector ends. It's quite possible that when you move the antenna you happened to have moved a cable enough to have restored a good connection.

Welcome back Bill. I always look forward to your sage advice.

[Bill Adams]

Still testing the waters. I have already had 2 PM's which make me question why I returned. One from a poster who has always liked picking on me (now ignored so that should be the end of that) and one from a source which cannot be discussed. Hopefully, things will be OK, but the salary here is pretty low so I am hopeful that things will stabilize and we can all be friends.

[cordwood]

I ALWAYS BLAME IT ON FLYING SAUCERS STOPPING TO LOOK AT THE BIG BIRDS

[SCVJeff]

I saw something similar to this about 3 weeks ago watching DTV 4S @101 on an SK-3005 and an SD Receiver.

[CT_Wanderer]

I know that switching transponder require sending two differnet voltage to the transponder. One voltage level is for even transponder and the other voltage gives you the odd transponders. You could be having problems with cabling. LNB or the satellite box

[TXiceman]

Bill, just ignore the ones that like to hide behind Mommies skirt and say ugly things.


Ken