Check switch installation every morning

[TBoyer]

Why does my Hopper(2) run “check switch installation” (058) and then have to find the signal every single morning when I turn on the TV? (Takes about 5 minutes to complete). I have been working with Dish and they sent me a new Hopper which didn’t fix the problem. When I went through the installation of the new equipment, it “failed installation” during the “check switch” portion. I was able to finish installation by unplugging the receiver to get past the failed message. I get great reception and there doesn't appear to be any issue with watching TV other than the morning switch check. When I look at the Switch Status under Diagnostics, it looks like Tuner 3 is OUT (red Xs for all 3 satellites). I think this is because I have a Hopper without a solo node but I have had this setup for over a year and my “check switch” problem only started about a six weeks ago. The problem did coincide with relocating from Florida to Washington. Also, when I select Check Status under diagnostics on my receiver, it will not complete. It gets stuck at 66%. Where do I go from here? At this point I believe it must be the satellite (Trav’ler Satellite) and Dish doesn’t serve the RV community (Dish Anywhere).

 

[Jim5506]

Sounds like your install is incorrect, by your own admission you have no solo node.

Tuner three gets no signal, thus the check switch every morning after the nightly update.

 

[pattykay]

Why does my Hopper(2) run “check switch installation” (058) and then have to find the signal every single morning when I turn on the TV? (Takes about 5 minutes to complete). I have been working with Dish and they sent me a new Hopper which didn’t fix the problem. When I went through the installation of the new equipment, it “failed installation” during the “check switch” portion. I was able to finish installation by unplugging the receiver to get past the failed message. I get great reception and there doesn't appear to be any issue with watching TV other than the morning switch check. When I look at the Switch Status under Diagnostics, it looks like Tuner 3 is OUT (red Xs for all 3 satellites). I think this is because I have a Hopper without a solo node but I have had this setup for over a year and my “check switch” problem only started about a six weeks ago. The problem did coincide with relocating from Florida to Washington. Also, when I select Check Status under diagnostics on my receiver, it will not complete. It gets stuck at 66%. Where do I go from here? At this point I believe it must be the satellite (Trav’ler Satellite) and Dish doesn’t serve the RV community (Dish Anywhere).

I listed a Solo Node for sale in the Classifieds section here, available to the first reasonable offer I receive. So far, nobody has replied. I would be happy to send it to you, to see if it will help with your problem. Send me a private message if you are interested.

 

[HipKat]

Why does my Hopper(2) run “check switch installation” (058) and then have to find the signal every single morning when I turn on the TV? (Takes about 5 minutes to complete). I have been working with Dish and they sent me a new Hopper which didn’t fix the problem. When I went through the installation of the new equipment, it “failed installation” during the “check switch” portion. I was able to finish installation by unplugging the receiver to get past the failed message. I get great reception and there doesn't appear to be any issue with watching TV other than the morning switch check. When I look at the Switch Status under Diagnostics, it looks like Tuner 3 is OUT (red Xs for all 3 satellites). I think this is because I have a Hopper without a solo node but I have had this setup for over a year and my “check switch” problem only started about a six weeks ago. The problem did coincide with relocating from Florida to Washington. Also, when I select Check Status under diagnostics on my receiver, it will not complete. It gets stuck at 66%. Where do I go from here? At this point I believe it must be the satellite (Trav’ler Satellite) and Dish doesn’t serve the RV community (Dish Anywhere).

Without a solo node on a DPP LNBF, you won't get Tuner 3, and that's why it's check switching. You have to either change to hybrid LNBF and Solo Hub or run a 2nd line form the dish to a Solo Hub

 

[pattykay]

Without a solo node on a DPP LNBF, you won't get Tuner 3, and that's why it's check switching. You have to either change to hybrid LNBF and Solo Hub or run a 2nd line form the dish to a Solo Hub

Another option (since TBoyer currently only has two tuners without the Solo Node) would be to simply replace the HWS with a Hopper Duo. A Hopper Duo would work just fine without the Hub, since the Hub is only required if you want to add a Joey.

 

[NYDutch]

Another option (since TBoyer currently only has two tuners without the Solo Node) would be to simply replace the HWS with a Hopper Duo. A Hopper Duo would work just fine without the Hub, since the Hub is only required if you want to add a Joey.

Why downgrade to a Duo when simply adding a Solo Node at the dish would fix the problem without the loss of any tuners and the Sling feature?

 

[pattykay]

Why downgrade to a Duo when simply adding a Solo Node at the dish would fix the problem without the loss of any tuners and the Sling feature?

That is why the Solo Node was the first thing I offered, back in post number 3. I also have a Hopper Duo listed for sale in the Classifieds section. If I get a sale, I am happy either way.

 

[TBoyer]

Without a solo node on a DPP LNBF, you won't get Tuner 3, and that's why it's check switching. You have to either change to hybrid LNBF and Solo Hub or run a 2nd line form the dish to a Solo Hub

Sounds like your install is incorrect, by your own admission you have no solo node.

Tuner three gets no signal, thus the check switch every morning after the nightly update.

My current installation worked for over a year without check switching every time it reset. It just started when we moved from Florida to WA. Because it just started, I thought it was the Hopper not my install. Because I have DISH Anywhere (my home is my RV), they will not send a service tech to me, and so that leaves me to be the tech. Is it hurting anything to just let it check switch every morning and only have 2 tuners? I don’t have a Joey so I am not missing the solo node otherwise.

 

[TBoyer]

Without a solo node on a DPP LNBF, you won't get Tuner 3, and that's why it's check switching. You have to either change to hybrid LNBF and Solo Hub or run a 2nd line form the dish to a Solo Hub

What would a solo hub look like? I have two lines from the satellite (Trav’ler) to inside my RV. I have 2 receivers - 1 in my bedroom (VIP 211 receiver) and 1 in the living room (Hopper).

 

[Bobby]

My current installation worked for over a year without check switching every time it reset. It just started when we moved from Florida to WA. Because it just started, I thought it was the Hopper not my install. Because I have DISH Anywhere (my home is my RV), they will not send a service tech to me, and so that leaves me to be the tech. Is it hurting anything to just let it check switch every morning and only have 2 tuners? I don’t have a Joey so I am not missing the solo node otherwise.

When you were in Florida you probably were on eastern arc and that has 2 satellites, 61.5 and 72. Now that you are in Washington you will be on the westrn arc and it has 3 satellites, 110, 119, and 129. That is your difference.

 

[TBoyer]

When you were in Florida you probably were on eastern arc and that has 2 satellites, 61.5 and 72. Now that you are in Washington you will be on the westrn arc and it has 3 satellites, 110, 119, and 129. That is your difference.

Thank you so much for helping this make sense to me!!!

 

[Bobby]

Thank you so much for helping this make sense to me!!!

You're welcome!

 

[TBoyer]

When you were in Florida you probably were on eastern arc and that has 2 satellites, 61.5 and 72. Now that you are in Washington you will be on the westrn arc and it has 3 satellites, 110, 119, and 129. That is your difference.

Is it hurting anything (specifically my Trav’ler dish) to run things how they are (switch checking every day)? I get great reception and the only limitation I’m experiencing is I can’t record 2 shows and watch another. I do not have a Joey. My second receiver is a 211.

 

[Bobby]

Is it hurting anything (specifically my Trav’ler dish) to run things how they are (switch checking every day)? I get great reception and the only limitation I’m experiencing is I can’t record 2 shows and watch another. I do not have a Joey. My second receiver is a 211.

It depends on the satellite you are missing. Most of the HD channels are on 129. If you don't have that one you are missing out on the best image quality. Can you take a picture of your check switch screen and let us see what you see? Now that I look at the Trav'ler pictures, does the LNB have two eyes or three. If only two it is an eastern arc LNB. You would be able to see, probably two of the western arc satellites but can never see the third.

We've got some full time RVers here who will pipe in with real world advice.

 

[pattykay]

What would a solo hub look like? I have two lines from the satellite (Trav’ler) to inside my RV. I have 2 receivers - 1 in my bedroom (VIP 211 receiver) and 1 in the living room (Hopper).

That ViP211 won't integrate with the Hopper system, so it has to be kept completely separate from the Solo Node (or Hybrid Hub). Some kind of external switch would be required, to give you enough lines from the switch to be able to hook up both the Solo Node (for the Hopper) and the ViP211 (connected directly to the switch). I already had a DPP44 switch, so that is the model I used for my Hopper installation. It required one line for each satellite from the LNB to the satellite inputs on the switch. Then, output port 1 of the switch went to a power inserter. (This hookup may also work with models of DPP switches that do not require a power inserter. I have never done that myself, so I am not sure.) Two of the other output ports on the switch connect to the inputs on the Solo Node. Then, it is just one line from the Host port on the Solo Node to the satellite input on the Hopper. The ViP211 may be connected to the satellite output port on the power inserter (if your switch requires one) or it can be connected directly to another satellite output port on the switch.

 

[TBoyer]

It depends on the satellite you are missing. Most of the HD channels are on 129. If you don't have that one you are missing out on the best image quality. Can you take a picture of your check switch screen and let us see what you see? Now that I look at the Trav'ler pictures, does the LNB have two eyes or three. If only two it is an eastern arc LNB. You would be able to see, probably two of the western arc satellites but can never see the third.

We've got some full time RVers here who will pipe in with real world advice.

There are 3 eyes. I’ve attached the picture of my check switch.

 

[TBoyer]

That ViP211 won't integrate with the Hopper system, so it has to be kept completely separate from the Solo Node (or Hybrid Hub). Some kind of external switch would be required, to give you enough lines from the switch to be able to hook up both the Solo Node (for the Hopper) and the ViP211 (connected directly to the switch). I already had a DPP44 switch, so that is the model I used for my Hopper installation. It required one line for each satellite from the LNB to the satellite inputs on the switch. Then, output port 1 of the switch went to a power inserter. (This hookup may also work with models of DPP switches that do not require a power inserter. I have never done that myself, so I am not sure.) Two of the other output ports on the switch connect to the inputs on the Solo Node. Then, it is just one line from the Host port on the Solo Node to the satellite input on the Hopper. The ViP211 may be connected to the satellite output port on the power inserter (if your switch requires one) or it can be connected directly to another satellite output port on the switch.

Thanks for your help but you lost me somewhere around Hybrid Hub. I’m just barely understanding the missing solo node. I have a Trav’ler dish which was installed with two 211s. About 1-1/2 years ago, I replaced one of the 211s with a Hopper 2 and never had a problem until a few weeks ago. Traveling around, I have had very little problems with picture quality or reception aside from a tree or two. I don’t completely understand my wiring situation. What I can see looks pretty straight forward. Where would the solo node go—outside the RV?

 

[Bobby]

There are 3 eyes. I’ve attached the picture of my check switch. View attachment 146056

OK, so you are seeing all three satellites, just missing that third tuner. If you are OK with what you have all would be fine. But, if you want all three tuners you’ll need that solo node. You would want to place that node somewhere near where your receiver coaxes come together. Your 211 is, as been mentioned, a bit more problematic. To continue to use it along with the Hopper and the Solo Node, you would require a 44 switch. If you are using an external hard drive with that 211 today it would make sense to add the 44 switch. If not, maybe instead of purchasing a 44 switch you could purchase a Joey 3 and use it in place of that 211. Things to think about.

 

[Bobby]

Thanks for your help but you lost me somewhere around Hybrid Hub. I’m just barely understanding the missing solo node. I have a Trav’ler dish which was installed with two 211s. About 1-1/2 years ago, I replaced one of the 211s with a Hopper 2 and never had a problem until a few weeks ago. Traveling around, I have had very little problems with picture quality or reception aside from a tree or two. I don’t completely understand my wiring situation. What I can see looks pretty straight forward. Where would the solo node go—outside the RV?View attachment 146059

You don’t need a hybrid hub with your Hopper2. Your DPP LNB is fine with what you have. The Solo Node is all that is needed considering what I said in my last post.

 

[TheKrell]

To continue to use it along with the Hopper and the Solo Node, you would require a 44 switch.

I thought the DPP44 needs 3 cables from that DPP LNB, since it turns off the internal switch. Am I remembering that wrong?

Question: Why couldn't you run the 2 existing cables to the solo node, and a 3rd to the 211, avoiding the DPP44 altogether?