Do I need a multi-switch

[mickylong]

I've been having significant problems with "Searching for Signal" errors lately on my HR22 receiver (has been replaced once by DirectV) and it seems like a possible wiring problem. Satellite is a Slimline 5 (also new) and my non-HD receiver is fine. What I'm seeing is a Tuner #2 acquired at 0% as well as 0% signal strength on a number of transponders. Switching the receiver input does change the tuner available so it does seem like a line problem but I'm not sure that fixes the transponder low signal strength.

When I went to my basement to check the wiring I found that there is no multi-switch present, just straight connections from the four lines coming from the satellite to the receiver input lines.

I'm not sure if a multi-switch would boost the signal strength and cure the problem or if something else is going on. DTV has me scheduled for a service call but they've been trying to fix problems like this in my service for a year now (all related to missing channels or breakup on HD channels) and all the techs seem to want to do is replace receivers.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

M

 

[texasbrit]

I've been having significant problems with "Searching for Signal" errors lately on my HR22 receiver (has been replaced once by DirectV) and it seems like a possible wiring problem. Satellite is a Slimline 5 (also new) and my non-HD receiver is fine. What I'm seeing is a Tuner #2 acquired at 0% as well as 0% signal strength on a number of transponders. Switching the receiver input does change the tuner available so it does seem like a line problem but I'm not sure that fixes the transponder low signal strength.

When I went to my basement to check the wiring I found that there is no multi-switch present, just straight connections from the four lines coming from the satellite to the receiver input lines.

I'm not sure if a multi-switch would boost the signal strength and cure the problem or if something else is going on. DTV has me scheduled for a service call but they've been trying to fix problems like this in my service for a year now (all related to missing channels or breakup on HD channels) and all the techs seem to want to do is replace receivers.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

M

No, you don't need a multiswitch, it won't help.
First, if the problem moves tuners when you switch the cables, there is probably a cable problem. It could also be a faulty BBC, so try leaving the BBCs connected the way they are but just swap the cables - if the problem moves, it's a cable issue. If it stays on the same tuner, swap the BBCs as well, if the problem moves it's a faulty BBC.
Low signal strength is a different matter. What are your signals on the "good" tuner for the 99c and 103c satellites, for ALL transponders?

 

[mickylong]

Thanks for the help. I switched the cables and to my surprise I new seem to have both tuners back -- ! at 98% and 2 at 97%. I also moved one of the cables in the basement to move the connector bar away from the copper pipe the DTV tech had stuffed it behind. Not sure if it might have been grounding out or not. Anyway, here are the transponder readings for both:

Tuner 1 Sat 101

98 0 95 0 96 0 95 0
96 0 96 0 97 0 95 0
96 0 96 0 97 0 96 0
97 0 96 0 98 0 96 0

Tuner 1 Sat 99

44 0 60 0 0 0 na na
na na na na na na 0 0
0 0 60 0 53 0 0 0

Tuner 2 Sat 101
97 95 95 93 96 96 95 92
90 97 95 86 96 96 95 99
95 94 95 89 95 99 95 98
96 98 96 80 97 00 05 100

Tuner 2 Sat 99

42 0 57 0 0 0 na na
na na na na na na 0 60
0 058 59 52 49 0 0

Hopefully this means something to someone. I'm clueless.

 

[efbrune]

It looks like you have two problems.

You are missing the even transponders on tuner 1, that indicates a bad LNB. The LNB (Low Noise Block-converter) is the electronics on the dish.

The signal levels from Sat 99 are too low. The dish needs to be re-aligned (peak signal from Sat 99 and 103).

 

[iwc5893]

It looks like you have a short on the cable coming into Tuner 1...possibly some braid or something touching the center conductor or a damaged cable somewhere.

 

[mickylong]

Thanks, Earl. I am curious though. If I haved a dish problem wouldn't it show up on my other receiver as well? I get strong transponder readings on sat 101 on both tuners on that receiver. It isn't HD and I guess that's why it doesn't show sat 99 but others are strong and it seems to be working fine.

Well my next dish will be my third so maybe this time they can get it right.

Micky

 

[efbrune]

Thanks, Earl. I am curious though. If I haved a dish problem wouldn't it show up on my other receiver as well?

No! It is possible that only one connection (output) on the ODU is bad.

 

[efbrune]

You could change the cables at the ODU to find out if it is the cable or ODU that is the problem.

 

[texasbrit]

This is most likely to be a cable/connector problem, on the cable going into tuner 1. If you swap the cables you will probably find the problem moves to tuner 2, indicating the problem is somewhere on that cable/connectors between the tuner input and the dish. There is a possibility the problem is with one of the outputs from the dish but it is much less likely than a cable problem.

Your low 99 signals may not be a problem; there are two 99 screens, 99s and 99c. The 99c signals (and 103c also) should all be in the 80s at least. You will probably find that even transponders are zero on whichever tuner shows the same problem on 101, this is the cable/connector fault again. 99s has only spotbeams carrying HD to different cities, so seeing zero or low signals is not unusual. Again, you will probably see zero on even transponders on the same tuner as the 101 zeros. In fact, in Atlanta your HD locals are on the 103 satellite (103s screen, TPs 16 and 20 I believe) so NONE of the signals on 99s are for you.

 

[mickylong]

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like it's time to start replacing cable.

M.

 

[berck]

I don't know if I'd be so quick to change cable unless its really old. I heard the same thing when I was having a similar problem. Turned out that when I switched my H21 receiver off feed three to feed four, the problem went away. Now I've noticed that another of the feeds is going bad to the HR21. I suspect your LNB is really the problem.

 

[texasbrit]

It is very unlikely to be the LNB, although anything is possible. This is nearly always a connector problem.

 

[berck]

It is very unlikely to be the LNB, although anything is possible. This is nearly always a connector problem.

Yes, that's what everybody claimed a few months back when I was having the same issue. Pretty apparently after playing with it that the LNB was going out. I was hoping that only one connector went bad, but I'm now having problems with a second connector too.