losing signal under -15F

[cebbigh]

My hr21-700 lost all signal when the temp got below -15F. My hr20-100 maintained signal in the 90's range. Both are connected to a common swm with a splitter behind it. I switched the cables back and forth and the signal still remained strong only on the hr20-100. In the early hours of the morning the temp dipped to -27F and I lost signal on both receivers. Yesterday when it warmed up a little during the daylight hours the hr20-100 came back and then a couple hours later the hr21-700 restored. During the downtime I did all the usual stuff like rebooting and unplugging both receivers and the swm power and nothing had any effect. Then last night the temperature dropped again and the hr21-700 lost signal (771) again.

I suspect that the extreme cold is causing a connection to open enough and it effects the hr21 more than the hr20 (in my case). I have an installer visit scheduled Monday. If he suggests replacing either box I am going to decline because I'm close to the end of my contract and don't want to be stuck for another 24 months.

 

[Jimbo]

My hr21-700 lost all signal when the temp got below -15F. My hr20-100 maintained signal in the 90's range. Both are connected to a common swm with a splitter behind it. I switched the cables back and forth and the signal still remained strong only on the hr20-100. In the early hours of the morning the temp dipped to -27F and I lost signal on both receivers. Yesterday when it warmed up a little during the daylight hours the hr20-100 came back and then a couple hours later the hr21-700 restored. During the downtime I did all the usual stuff like rebooting and unplugging both receivers and the swm power and nothing had any effect. Then last night the temperature dropped again and the hr21-700 lost signal (771) again.

I suspect that the extreme cold is causing a connection to open enough and it effects the hr21 more than the hr20 (in my case). I have an installer visit scheduled Monday. If he suggests replacing either box I am going to decline because I'm close to the end of my contract and don't want to be stuck for another 24 months.

I doubt that it's a box issue.
They are inside where it's warm.
I would think it would more likely be a LNB going bad, there is a particular one that has KNOWN issues with cold weather, but I don't remember which ones and I think it has been updated and no longer having problems, but if yours is a older one, that could be the issue.

Someone here will pop in and verify which one was having an issue.

 

[wildbill129]

It's one of the SWM LNB's for the details, check this thread:

http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-technical-discussions/196399-cold-weather-lnb-issues.html

 

[cebbigh]

Thanks for the link and the info. The dish was installed last Sept after I moved. I'll mention the issue with the WNC SWM LNB when the installer arrives.

 

[Jimbo]

Thanks for the link and the info. The dish was installed last Sept after I moved. I'll mention the issue with the WNC SWM LNB when the installer arrives.

He more than likely already knows about it.
Also, they have a version 2 of the LNB now that takes care of that issue, so if he replaces it with the same make, don't worry about it.

 

[oldford]

The new LNB works good and solves the problem. Had the issue here last winter.

 

[cebbigh]

Installer just left. He did indeed know all about the lnb issue and confirmed it was a known defective. He even predicted that between the two receivers that my hr20-100 would hold signal longer than the hr21-700 which was exactly what was happening.

Thanks again for the responses. You guys were spot on.

 

[wildbill129]

Installer just left. He did indeed know all about the lnb issue and confirmed it was a known defective. He even predicted that between the two receivers that my hr20-100 would hold signal longer than the hr21-700 which was exactly what was happening.

Thanks again for the responses. You guys were spot on.

Glad it worked out!!!

 

[Jimbo]

Installer just left. He did indeed know all about the lnb issue and confirmed it was a known defective. He even predicted that between the two receivers that my hr20-100 would hold signal longer than the hr21-700 which was exactly what was happening.

Thanks again for the responses. You guys were spot on.

Glad to see it's taken care of