Difficulty getting Signal on RV/Dead LNB?

[kdjose]

Hope I'm not rehashing covered material, but Ihave a Winegard crank up dish on my RV running through the amp and the little switchbox they give you. I can access the setup screen, but when I attempt to aim, I get all -0-'s . I have voltage at the receiver end, but am wondering if there is a way to test whether the LNB is dead, or where else the problem is. I haven't disconnected and tested voltage at the dish yet (lazy). I have a vague memory of the seller warning me that the lnb might be iffy, but that was 7 years ago. Thanks in advance for any help.

kj

PS, I also definitely do not have a totally clear shot S with the dish, but wouldn't I still get some signal if the LNB/Connections are all correct?

 

[jdspencer]

No line of sight = no signal even if LNB is good. You need to get to a location where you do have LOS and aim the dish.

 

[MikeinBaja]

Most of the splitters, amps, etc that are installed in RVs are no good for sat signals. Take all of them out and replace with blue centered barrel connectors.

 

[harshness]

You need to be significantly more specific about the Winegard dish model number. Some are relatively smart (digital elevation meter) while others are entirely manual.

Amps and switches aren't usually a part of a RV-based satellite system as the dish contains everything you need for up to two SD tuners.

 

[kdjose]

Thank you for the replies! The dish does have a digital elevation meter. model is either a RD 4600 or 4646. Coax labeled "from satellite/cable in" comes into the receiver, then out to slide switched splitter(other side is labeled "park cable"), then into the pushbutton box for the two tvs. As I said, I'm able to get the Direct TV set up screen, enter zip but signal meters are all 0's.

 

[MikeinBaja]

Thank you for the replies! The dish does have a digital elevation meter. model is either a RD 4600 or 4646. Coax labeled "from satellite/cable in" comes into the receiver, then out to slide switched splitter(other side is labeled "park cable"), then into the pushbutton box for the two tvs. As I said, I'm able to get the Direct TV set up screen, enter zip but signal meters are all 0's.

Set the elevation meter to the specs shown when you enter your zip. Rotate the dish until you hit the sat you are looking for.

 

[boba]

You might want to get rid of that "Park"/ satellite AB switch it could kill your voltage to the dish.

 

[Jimbo]

You might want to get rid of that "Park"/ satellite AB switch it could kill your voltage to the dish.

Or was it part of the original set up ?

Welcome to the site !

Personally, I would take a stand alone dish and see if you can get that to work with your RV rec'r, then you would be able to isolate if it's a bad cable/ switch/rec'r ect.

Have you ever had this set up working in the RV to this point ?

 

[kdjose]

Thanks for the welcome! This is the first time I"ve attempted to use the dish since I've owned it. the previous owner had used it a lot though. Bypassing the A/B seems like a good idea. Pretty sure all of this is part of the original equipment but, since I am the 2nd owner the a/b switch may be added, however my guess is original.

 

[Jimbo]

Thanks for the welcome! This is the first time I"ve attempted to use the dish since I've owned it. the previous owner had used it a lot though. Bypassing the A/B seems like a good idea. Pretty sure all of this is part of the original equipment but, since I am the 2nd owner the a/b switch may be added, however my guess is original.

Try it at home and experiment before you get out on the road.