I had called DirecTV to get my side-car dish (AT-9) fine tuned - it has been on my roof for almost 2 years, and I wanted to get my signal strength raised on 103b - even though I was getting all of the channels without problem.
Halsted Communications, the local installers sent a guy on Monday that had no clue on how to do something as simple as this - and he left with me LOSING signal on ALL of the even transponders on 103b. I actually lost CNN-HD, and others for this period of time.
I had to use my contacts to get a tech supervisor back to my house the same day (I only waited about an hour for him to show) and within 10 minutes had everything back to BETTER than ever. Instead of 60-70 signals on 103b, I now have 90's - and I have increased signals on all of the other sats as well.
Point being - don't accept low readings when you have an installer there - and if you don't like what you are getting call DirecTV and have them get a supervisor out to your house. The stronger the signal, the less rain-fade can affect you and so on.
Also, as a courtesy, the tech supervisor changed ALL of my compression fittings, and installed a brand-new multiswitch.
Jusy FYI.
This sounds like me. Last Friday, I had D* come out (they assigned a company ) and fix my signal strength on 103 b. I was in the 50's . The installer came out, adjusted it, and came back in within 10 minutes. I asked him what the signal strength was at and we checked it. It was 60. He said he didn't see any dish with a stronger signal than 60. It should be fine. Having been on the forums, I called his bluff. I told him it should at least be in the 80's or 90's . He continued to tell me that I was wrong .
So I turn to Animal Planet HD . Its pixelating, freez framing right in front of him. I asked him, " do they expect me to watch channels like this ? There has got to be a signal strength problem. " He then suggests I call D* and get a new dish sent out.
So the installer said he was about to leave and wanted me to sign some document. I told him no, I won't sign it. The job isn't complete. After debating with him again about signal strength, I signed his document so he could leave and get out of my face. I didn't really want to see this kid anymore. They setup a time frame of 8-12 for this realignment. He shows up at 12:30 and uses just a wrench. No signal meter equipment, no nothing. This is a friggin realignment.
I call back D* and they told me that its unacceptable and are sending another guy out this Friday. D* was great about it . The only problem I have is I have to take another Friday off, just becaue they were unprepared in the first place and there technician didn't want to solve the problem. The way I look at it, it wasn't really Directv's fault. It was who they contracted out that was creating the problem. I told them make sure to put a note on the account and send a Tech that was prepared and ready to re-allign a dish. So in other words, bring the correct equipment to do so. Like maybe a signal device so he can lock in the signal.