How long does it take to lock onto Sats?

[DMTTRANSPORT]

<5 minutes

[TVforMyRV]

Worst case search time I would think is about 20 minutes. Also keep in mind that the search algorithms are based on a perfectly level platform, so any deviation from level will increase search time, however, unless you are horribly out of level, you shouldn't really see any difference on the minor level discrepancies on a "leveled" rig.


One thing you may see in a SWM environment when moving from site to site is "no SWM found" or other SWM related error messages from the DTV receiver. Most of these are caused by improper power up sequences. For example, in my rig the Genie is pretty much always powered on since it is plugged into an inverter supplied circuit. Even though the antenna and SWM power inserter are on that same circuit, I have a power strip in the overhead cabinet which removes power from the antenna and power inserter when traveling. Sometimes, when I set up at the next location, the receiver will complain that there are no available SWM channels.
This occurs because the receivers "negotiate" for which channels it is going to use. If the LNBs don't have SWM power before the receiver does, this "negotiation process" can get confused. The only way out of this is usually a red button reset on the receiver.


So if the antenna is up and locked on, and you are seeing obscure SWM error messages on the screen, reset the receiver and let it start over.

[Gary.Jones]

Don

Thanks for the information that you have provided. In my case, I get no errors and no messages and dont think that is what is producing my situation with excessively long searches for sats. Again, my memory is that it locked on routinely in half the time that it does now, maybe 1/3 of the time. It just scans a long time, and often seems like it has found the sats (is in the right direction, is the right elevation), seems to peak a bit, and then goes right back to scanning for the sats again with a clear search pattern for a long time, where it finally finds them or maybe even starts the search pattern again.

I have spent a lot of time with Winegard on the phone and they don't think there is a problem with the unit. So, thus the question to the forum.

Gary

[classicalgas]

I feel better now knowing that 10-20 minutes might just be normal for the Winegard unit to lock on to the satellites. I usually walk away and do other things. Amazing how the time flies. Thanks for all the info.