continuous channel signal loss on 129

[derekcentrico]

My parents have been complaining about signal loss for a few months. I rarely saw it except during storms. But, this weekend I'm visiting and it has been outrageous. It's overcast and no trees are blocking the satellite. But, both receivers continue to have random blue screens that signal was lost. It will say the channel name, whether it be some HD movie channel or local channels, and that it is satellite 129.

I checked the Point DISH and see that 110 and 119 (I think) have 60+ signal strengths consistently. But, 129 goes from 19 to 50 with great variance.

Any thoughts on what would cause just one signal to be lost? To me it wouldn't be a pointing error if the other two SAT's are doing fine.

We don't have a switch on the system. The SAT has three direct lines going to three separate rooms. Two have been used, and the third was just hooked up this morning with an old receiver for a Slingbox...

I don't feel like calling India to hear nothing informative, so any input is welcome.

From reading other posts, I saw issues with OTA. They have OTA hooked up. I deleted all OTA channels from the DVR and all OTA channels with less than 60 strength from the other.

The two affected Dish receivers are a 211K and a DVR 612. The recently installed receiver is an older 211 (grey model). But, the third shouldn't be relevant as this crap has been going on with the other two for some time.

 

[cabledave]

Press the Menu button then 6, 1 and then 3. It may be LNB drift on 129. After it runs the tests you should get a green Good at the top of the screen and 3 green boxes under 110 119 and 129. If you get a message telling you to press the Details button and the 129 box isn't green they most likely need a new LNB.

I had the same problem. After replacing the LNB it is fine now and the signal readings are steady.

 

[derekcentrico]

I did the switch test and it all came back green and OKAY.

The details shows something that might be interesting

Status: Good
STB Helath Lite
Tuner 0 as of 05/14 913pm
Orbital 14 15 16 21
110 73 77 76 78
119 73 78 82 86
120 0 23 0 61

Tuner 1 as of 05/14 919pm
Orbital 14 15 16 21
110 78 77 79 73
119 76 80 87 84
120 0 22 0 59

 

[3HaloODST]

110 and 119 look fine. Ignore TPs 14 15 16 on 129 as they are spotbeams. However TP 21 on 129 looks pretty low. You should be getting at least mid-high 60s, even low 70s.

Are you still experiencing fluctuations? What are the signal strengths on TPs 19, 20, 29 & 30 on 129?

 

[whatchel1]

I did the switch test and it all came back green and OKAY.

The details shows something that might be interesting

Status: Good
STB Helath Lite
Tuner 0 as of 05/14 913pm
Orbital 14 15 16 21
110 73 77 76 78
119 73 78 82 86
120 0 23 0 61

Tuner 1 as of 05/14 919pm
Orbital 14 15 16 21
110 78 77 79 73
119 76 80 87 84
120 0 22 0 59

129 is screwed, you need a service call. The LNB for it is bad on the even tps and weak on some of the odd.

 

[andy_horton]

Definetly sounds like LNB is bad. I see a service call in your future. Check into the protection plan if they don't already have it. I have had the same problem before on the 110 degree and all boxes showed and all were green, too.

 

[derekcentrico]

110 and 119 look fine. Ignore TPs 14 15 16 on 129 as they are spotbeams. However TP 21 on 129 looks pretty low. You should be getting at least mid-high 60s, even low 70s.

Are you still experiencing fluctuations? What are the signal strengths on TPs 19, 20, 29 & 30 on 129?

I'm not sure what fluctuations and what signal strengths on TPs' 19 20 29 and 30 refer to. What's TP and how do I check it? They have had fluctuations for several months in that the signal will be lost, come back, be lost, etc...

 

[3HaloODST]

TP stands for transponder . On your Point Dish screen (MENU - 6 - 1 - 1 ) there are two sections that are important. The one labeled "Satellite" and the one labeled "Transponder." Just think of a transponder as a channel. Different transponders have different frequencies. Anyway, while at the Point Dish screen highlight the "Satellite" section, and use your up/down arrow keys to cycle until it displays "129." Next, press your left arrow key and it should highlight the "Transponder" section. Now you can just type in the TPs I referenced to (19 20 29 30) one at a time and gather the signal strength numbers. What I mean by fluctuations is, while on the Point Dish screen, does the signal strength fluctuate a lot? When you are done, simply hit "CANCEL" on your remote until you're back to TV viewing.

Hope this helps.

 

[derekcentrico]

On 129,

TP 10 = 19
TP 20 = 51
TP 29 = 47
TP 30 = 44

TP 10 can be anywhere from 0 to 50 and changes every 30 or so seconds to another number, seemingly arbitrarily and no real pattern.

 

[whatchel1]

On 129,

TP 10 = 19
TP 20 = 51
TP 29 = 47
TP 30 = 44

TP 10 can be anywhere from 0 to 50 and changes every 30 or so seconds to another number, seemingly arbitrarily and no real pattern.

That's just noise on TP 10 from TP 11 it's a spot that isn't really pointed at OK. Although it is for Wichita Falls so it is possible you could be getting the edge & that's why it is bouncing all over the place.

 

[3HaloODST]

Yeah, TP 19 is the one I was looking for instead of 10. That being said, your issue doesn't really look like an LNB issue to me, but your signal levels are a little lower than expected, but not enough to cause continuous signal loss. Maybe it's possibly a switch issue.

What particular channels are you noticing this on? Any particular time of day? So there is absolutely no chance of any tree/object interference at or in front of the dish?

Try MENU - 6 - 1 - 1 - Click on "Check Switch" then click on "Test." What do you get?

 

[derekcentrico]

So what should I do? I don't want to call India and get no real assistance. If I were to call, I'd probably demand level 2 support. But, what would I tell them?

When I do the check switch everything comes back OK. But, they don't have a switch. There are three receivers. Each has a direct line coming from one of the three LNB's (one LNB is dual I guess...?).

It happens on Fox, Science, History, and local channels for certain. My father says it happens on everything he watches, but those are always HD channels and very few more than those just named. There is absolutely nothing blocking it. The nearest tree limb would have to grow about 7 feet before it could even get near the necessary length for interference. My dad said it doesn't happen when its extremely clear outside. But, if there's just one little cloud it can happen.

I can attest to two receivers having the problem. I just hooked up a third receiver a couple of days ago and setup a Slingbox on it. I haven't tried to observe Sling for any signal losses on the DISH side yet.

It's either a bad LNB or a poorly pointed DISH...from what I'm understanding. But, you all now think LNB is okay so maybe bad pointing?

 

[3HaloODST]

The LNBF assembly has a built-in switch, which could go bad, doubt that's the issue though. Try PMing MattG @ DISH, or, hopefully he'll just show up in here tomorrow .

 

[derekcentrico]

Well, the Check Switch comes back with all three in the GREEN. But, the details section is what I typed earlier with the numbers from all the three SATs for Tuner0 and Tuner1.

 

[Teehar]

So what should I do? I don't want to call India and get no real assistance. If I were to call, I'd probably demand level 2 support. But, what would I tell them?

I suggest you contact the DIRT (Dish Internet Response Team) team here on the forums.MaryB TonyT or MattG there are others give one of them a pm.They will help you get the problem resolved.

 

[derekcentrico]

I've sent the private messages asking for them to review this thread. I'm hoping for the best, but my luck with DISH support has been sub-par at best...hence my lack of desire to call into the support system and deal with India telling me how to power cycle crap.

 

[3HaloODST]

I've sent the private messages asking for them to review this thread. I'm hoping for the best, but my luck with DISH support has been sub-par at best...hence my lack of desire to call into the support system and deal with India telling me how to power cycle crap.

The DIRT team aren't your typical run-of-the-mill CSRs. They use their brains as opposed to reading a script. I highly doubt you will be disappointed with their service!

 

[MattG@DISH]

OP is all taken care of

 

[derekcentrico]

Yessir. Thanks for working out an appointment. I'll have my fingers crossed that all goes well.

 

[MattG@DISH]

If you have any problems, you know how to get a hold of me