I Need A D* Installer to Help Me

[Stanley Kritzik]

I did my own installation of a triple LNB satellite dish, multi-switch, HR10-250, etc.  I think I'm in over my head in some areas and would like a recommendation for an installing technician who can fix some problem areas up for me.  I called one or two names (from Yellow Pages) and got the "I won't touch one that someone else started" answers.  So, I need someone who isn't out top rub my nose in the dirt -- someone who'll just fix up whatever I've messed up, and get paid for doing it.

Any recommendations will be appreciated!

Stan

[jfelbab]

First let me say that this is not rocket science and almost anyone can install these things.  In fact, from my experience with installers who visited my home, I'd have to say that some may be on the lower end of the gene pool.

Why don't you list what problems you are having and perhaps we can help you resolve them.


DTV/Tivo sub since 1999
Pioneer 4350 Plasma
Sony WEGA XBR 36 CRT
HR 10-250
Sony SAT T60 (x2)

[bradsmainsite]

I agree with the previous posting what are your issues no sat signal or week
signal, missing sat's like 101, 110, or 119? :confused:

Brad

[LEN]

Call Jeff Burbach from JB Custom Wiring.  Others on this forum have used him.  414-645-2575
LEN

[Stanley Kritzik]

First, thanks for all the helpful replies.  But, let me start at the beginning.

I upgraded from an older single LNB dish to a new one in a new location.  My son razzed me into doing the work myself.  My cables are buried, and the dish solidy attaches to a steel post.  I aimed the dish with a compass and used the meter on my old receiver as best I could.  This was, by the way, last October.

I got signals on A, B, and C at 60 or better, as a rule.  But, starting about three weeks ago, I noticed some pixelization, and on rechecking, I found that on the "A" LNB, the signal strength for the ODD transponders was in the thirties; even ones unchanged.  Now, three or four days ago, the A LNB went to hell altogether -- almost.  All the odd ones showed no signal.  There were three on the even side that appeared as follows: 18-90+, 26-85, and 28-46.  Now, I never had 85 or 90 on the A LNB.  The B and C LNBs report normal signals.

OK, you must be thinking, as I am, that it is tree leafing out time.  Yet, when I stand behind the dish along its aiming axis, it looks like it is in the open.  So, without test equipment, such as a signal strength meter, and maybe more experience than I have, I'm stumped.  Assume it's leaves, for example... then how to explain the presence of 18, 26, and 28 -- some at higher strength?  Also, why did the odd channels go out first, and do it gradually?  To me, it seems to be dish aiming and/or leaves, but how come it worked well all those months?

That's my story -- any advice will be appreciated, and I'll probably call the referenced party anyway, 'cause I do have a real daytime job!

Stan

[bimmer_immer]

Signals in the 60's seem to low to me. It is not easy to point a triple LNB dish. To do so properly you need at least a dual signal meter, because you need to maximize all the signals taken as a whole  (well really  A & B -- then C just works). It's a tradeoff of getting the  best signal on the one SAT vs the other.  

Just even or odd transponders going out could mean a bad LNB or a bad cable. Try swapping the 2 cables on the A LNB. Also, try physically swapping the A & B LNBs with each other. These things should  tell you if you have a bad LNB or a bad cable somewhere.

I understand your pain....

-Brian

[jfelbab]

All of the installations I've done in the greater Milwaukee area were pulling signals in the upper 80's to low 90's.  60's are quite low. Some receivers just read low but not that low.  I know of no one who get signals less than the lower 80's.

The most likely cause of low signal strength would be a misaligned dish.  Some rough dish alignment starting points... Azimuth 213°, Elevation 36° and Tilt 68°.  

Other causes of low signal strength could be;

1. Extremely long coax runs.
2. Poor connectors. (Be sure to use snap & seal connectors to keep moisture out.)
3. Obstructions.

If you don't have a signal strength meter (available on ebay for under $30) then ask someone to watch your signal strength while you move the dish.  You can use your cellphone to communicate changes while your re-aim the dish. Move it very slowly and wait for the changes to be apparent. It sounds like you are close and only slight movement may be needed.

[bradsmainsite]

Another thing to check most critical of all is that your pipe is PERFECTLY
level.  This is your starting point that is even more critical for those three
headed monsters.

If that is messed up you will never get it right! :bang:

Brad

[Stanley Kritzik]

Thanks for the suggestions, and here's what happened.

From the start, I suspected Spring leaves, as my fade-out on the "A" LNB began three weeks ago, but the dish, etc. all looked OK to me.  So, I started with a D* tech support call and a Saturday appointment.  The tech took me down a number of blind alleys -- he tried hard -- but we finally got to aiming and checking the dish.  His meter showed low signal, and then he took out some optical instrument -- like a calibrated scope.  To my embarrasment, it turned out that there were some very nearby treebranches overhanging and interfering with the satellite path to the dish.  I was sighting more or less along the line of the arm supporting the LNBs, but the inbound signal path is much higher -- almost 60 degrees up from the horizontal, and when the branches got their leaves, goodbye satellite A.

At this point I dismissed, with thanks, the D* tech, and today, Sunday, I lowered the dish about four feet on the pole it is on, to get the needed line-of-sight clearance.  With the help of an Acutrac22 Plus meter, which reads two LNBs at once (better than the D* meter), it took me all of five minutes to get my signals in the 80 to 100 range across the board.  Next step will be to get an arborist to cut back some branches as they're too high for me to reach.

Of course I felt dumb, becauseI faked myself out entirely by looking way too low off into space, and as soon as I realized how high up in the sky I had to have a clean signal, the light dawned.

So, all's well that ends well, and I learned a few good lessons, not the least of which is a dose of humility.

Stan

[bradsmainsite]

Stan don't feel bad we ALL sometimes overlook the obvious whether we
will admit it or not :bang:   However I dare bet you will not make the same
mistake twice!!

Happy viewing

Brad