DirecTV and signal loss on SOME channels... not on others?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

I'm experiencing a loss of signal on MANY DirecTV channels much of the time.
However at the same time, others come in fine.

This is exascerbated by weather but is not completely caused by it, since even
in reasonably clear skies this is now happening.

The theory is that a tree limb is now occluding the satellites. The question
remains, however, why SOME channels still get through at all.

If you look at the various transponders (which send signals from the
satellites), some are VERY strong. Some are weak. It would seem either an
improperly aimed dish OR even a tree limb SHOULD block out ALL the signals,
since they're coming from pretty much the same SPOT in space.

Could it be that some transponders are significantly stronger than others?
Could some of the frequencies they use cut thru interference (such as branches)
better? Sadly, DirecTV doesn't seem to have this information to give me (at
least anyone who would talk to me).

Apparently the only signals I get are 32 frequencies from 3 satellites which are
in the same spot in space. That means that any dish alignment problems should
affect signals from ALL 3THREE, unless they really aren't so close together
after all. Same thing could be said for branches; any branch which would affect
1 should affect all 3.

Any ideas what would be the problem? Any ideas where to get more information?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

You never said what your signal levels are.

"Stellijer" <howapropos@hotmail.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:klkJc.999$vD6.9@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
> I'm experiencing a loss of signal on MANY DirecTV channels much of the
time.
> However at the same time, others come in fine.
>
> This is exascerbated by weather but is not completely caused by it, since
even
> in reasonably clear skies this is now happening.
>
> The theory is that a tree limb is now occluding the satellites. The
question
> remains, however, why SOME channels still get through at all.
>
> If you look at the various transponders (which send signals from the
> satellites), some are VERY strong. Some are weak. It would seem either
an
> improperly aimed dish OR even a tree limb SHOULD block out ALL the
signals,
> since they're coming from pretty much the same SPOT in space.
>
> Could it be that some transponders are significantly stronger than others?
> Could some of the frequencies they use cut thru interference (such as
branches)
> better? Sadly, DirecTV doesn't seem to have this information to give me
(at
> least anyone who would talk to me).
>
> Apparently the only signals I get are 32 frequencies from 3 satellites
which are
> in the same spot in space. That means that any dish alignment problems
should
> affect signals from ALL 3THREE, unless they really aren't so close
together
> after all. Same thing could be said for branches; any branch which would
affect
> 1 should affect all 3.
>
> Any ideas what would be the problem? Any ideas where to get more
information?
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

Actually I didn't mention the signal levels because I didn't know how their
exact level would be crucial.

Anyway... the high signals on transponders such as 20 and 28 are in the upper
90's. That ranges to signals in the 40's on such as 6 and 8. This is in decent
weather.

Oddly enough, and I don't get ANYTHING (0) on any ODD numbered transponders 21
or below. I have no idea what this pattern is but I see that some channels
(such as 19 and 17 which have a couple of my faves) DO carry main channels...
which explains why I don't get them.

I'm starting to think either I have an odd problem or perhaps a combination of
problems.




thesatguy <jdolan1@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
news:SYlJc.43476$mY2.32470@fe1.texas.rr.com...
> You never said what your signal levels are.
>
> "Stellijer" <howapropos@hotmail.nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:klkJc.999$vD6.9@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
> > I'm experiencing a loss of signal on MANY DirecTV channels much of the
> time.
> > However at the same time, others come in fine.
> >
> > This is exascerbated by weather but is not completely caused by it, since
> even
> > in reasonably clear skies this is now happening.
> >
> > The theory is that a tree limb is now occluding the satellites. The
> question
> > remains, however, why SOME channels still get through at all.
> >
> > If you look at the various transponders (which send signals from the
> > satellites), some are VERY strong. Some are weak. It would seem either
> an
> > improperly aimed dish OR even a tree limb SHOULD block out ALL the
> signals,
> > since they're coming from pretty much the same SPOT in space.
> >
> > Could it be that some transponders are significantly stronger than others?
> > Could some of the frequencies they use cut thru interference (such as
> branches)
> > better? Sadly, DirecTV doesn't seem to have this information to give me
> (at
> > least anyone who would talk to me).
> >
> > Apparently the only signals I get are 32 frequencies from 3 satellites
> which are
> > in the same spot in space. That means that any dish alignment problems
> should
> > affect signals from ALL 3THREE, unless they really aren't so close
> together
> > after all. Same thing could be said for branches; any branch which would
> affect
> > 1 should affect all 3.
> >
> > Any ideas what would be the problem? Any ideas where to get more
> information?
> >
> >
> >
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

I have the same problem (see post "Time to replace LNB?"). Also, I spent
about an hour on the phone with DirecTv first and second level tech
support, doing the usual: unplug the receiver for 15 seconds, reinsert the
card, etc. 2nd level support said replace the LNB. That didn't help much,
got maybe 2 more points on the signal strength.

What is important according to the tech I talked to is the signal level on
transponders 1 & 2. So even if you have a strong signal on t28, if you
don't have a good t1 & t2 >= 70, you'll likely have problems.



Stellijer wrote:

> Actually I didn't mention the signal levels because I didn't know how
> their exact level would be crucial.
>
> Anyway... the high signals on transponders such as 20 and 28 are in the
> upper
> 90's. That ranges to signals in the 40's on such as 6 and 8. This is in
> decent weather.
>
> Oddly enough, and I don't get ANYTHING (0) on any ODD numbered
> transponders 21
> or below. I have no idea what this pattern is but I see that some
> channels (such as 19 and 17 which have a couple of my faves) DO carry main
> channels... which explains why I don't get them.
>
> I'm starting to think either I have an odd problem or perhaps a
> combination of problems.
>
>
>
>
> thesatguy <jdolan1@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:SYlJc.43476$mY2.32470@fe1.texas.rr.com...
>> You never said what your signal levels are.
>>
>> "Stellijer" <howapropos@hotmail.nospam.com> wrote in message
>> news:klkJc.999$vD6.9@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
>> > I'm experiencing a loss of signal on MANY DirecTV channels much of the
>> time.
>> > However at the same time, others come in fine.
>> >
>> > This is exascerbated by weather but is not completely caused by it,
>> > since
>> even
>> > in reasonably clear skies this is now happening.
>> >
>> > The theory is that a tree limb is now occluding the satellites. The
>> question
>> > remains, however, why SOME channels still get through at all.
>> >
>> > If you look at the various transponders (which send signals from the
>> > satellites), some are VERY strong. Some are weak. It would seem
>> > either
>> an
>> > improperly aimed dish OR even a tree limb SHOULD block out ALL the
>> signals,
>> > since they're coming from pretty much the same SPOT in space.
>> >
>> > Could it be that some transponders are significantly stronger than
>> > others? Could some of the frequencies they use cut thru interference
>> > (such as
>> branches)
>> > better? Sadly, DirecTV doesn't seem to have this information to give
>> > me
>> (at
>> > least anyone who would talk to me).
>> >
>> > Apparently the only signals I get are 32 frequencies from 3 satellites
>> which are
>> > in the same spot in space. That means that any dish alignment problems
>> should
>> > affect signals from ALL 3THREE, unless they really aren't so close
>> together
>> > after all. Same thing could be said for branches; any branch which
>> > would
>> affect
>> > 1 should affect all 3.
>> >
>> > Any ideas what would be the problem? Any ideas where to get more
>> information?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

I fixed my problem. Here's how: Select the weakest of transponders 1 or 2.
In my case it was 1, signal was 45. Adjust for best reception. I was able
to get it peaked at 100.

So, no matter how strong your other transponders come in, try to get the
best signal you can on the weakest of 1 or 2. Even though t28 was in the
90s, there was still lots more room for adjustment.

10Squared wrote:

> I have the same problem (see post "Time to replace LNB?"). Also, I spent
> about an hour on the phone with DirecTv first and second level tech
> support, doing the usual: unplug the receiver for 15 seconds, reinsert the
> card, etc. 2nd level support said replace the LNB. That didn't help much,
> got maybe 2 more points on the signal strength.
>
> What is important according to the tech I talked to is the signal level on
> transponders 1 & 2. So even if you have a strong signal on t28, if you
> don't have a good t1 & t2 >= 70, you'll likely have problems.
>
>
>
> Stellijer wrote:
>
>> Actually I didn't mention the signal levels because I didn't know how
>> their exact level would be crucial.
>>
>> Anyway... the high signals on transponders such as 20 and 28 are in the
>> upper
>> 90's. That ranges to signals in the 40's on such as 6 and 8. This is in
>> decent weather.
>>
>> Oddly enough, and I don't get ANYTHING (0) on any ODD numbered
>> transponders 21
>> or below. I have no idea what this pattern is but I see that some
>> channels (such as 19 and 17 which have a couple of my faves) DO carry
>> main channels... which explains why I don't get them.
>>
>> I'm starting to think either I have an odd problem or perhaps a
>> combination of problems.

>>>

 

[Greg]

Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

On Thu, 15 Jul 2004 22:32:15 +0100, 10Squared <jm@10squaredcorp.com>
wrote:

>I fixed my problem. Here's how: Select the weakest of transponders 1 or 2.
>In my case it was 1, signal was 45. Adjust for best reception. I was able
>to get it peaked at 100.
>
>So, no matter how strong your other transponders come in, try to get the
>best signal you can on the weakest of 1 or 2. Even though t28 was in the
>90s, there was still lots more room for adjustment.

Correct. You always want to align the dish using transponders 1 or 2.
If using 31 or 32... how do you know you're on the 101 satellite?
Assume for a moment a handheld meter can not determine the 22k
frequency.

FYI, the 119 satellite uses transponders 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32.
This is why you want to be on the lower transponders.

FWIW, usually when I see erratic signal values for ranges of
transponders... it "usually" is a bad receiver.

Greg