Lost some national SD and HD channels

[holmrun]

OK, long time lurker that finally needs help from the experts. Over the last week I seem to have lost a bunch of national SD and HD channels - locals are fine. I have a single HR21-700 with a 5lnb slimline and an external SWM mutiswitch. Nothing has changed as far as alignment or weather, and I am located in central Florida. (orlando locals) Some channels that have gone missing with error 771 are: 204, 205, 206, 209, 211, 213, 217, 218, 222, 223, 226, 227, 228, 232, 233, 234, 236, 238, 243, 249, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 260, 267, 268, 270, 271, 272, 274, 281, 283, 285, 287, 289, 291, 293, 294, 295, 297, 298, 300, 301, 302, 306, 309, 311, 313, 318, 319, 324, 325, 326, 338, 344, 347, 350, etc... hopefully that is enough to see a pattern or point to a specific sat/lnb...

Signal levels are as follows:
101
0 93 0 0 0 98 0 99
0 97 0 61 0 99 0 100
0 0 0 99 0 99 0 99
0 0 0 100 0 99 0 100

110
all N/A except tp's8 10 and 12 which are all 95

119
all N/A until tp22
98 80 98
86 99 98 97 95 99 0 100

99c
0 85 0 84 0 83 0 83
0 84 0 83 0 86 - all the rest are N/A

99s
0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0
0 54 0 0 0 64 0 0 - all the rest are N/A

103s
72 70 82 0 0 0 n/a n/a
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 73 89
72 72 94 89 63 57 86 74 - all the rest are N/A

103ca
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
83 85 82 85 82 84 79 86
80 85 79 84 79 83 79 85 - all the rest are N/A

103cb
88 91 82 89 83 86 82 85
85 83 85 83 85 81 - all the rest are N/A

SWM
100 100 99 0 0 0 0 0
0 - all the rest are N/A

Any help would be appreciated in narrowing down where the issue resides either in the box, lnb or swm. Thank you!

 

[raoul5788]

First off, to Satelliteguys!

I'm guessing either the lnb or multiswitch is bad. Since you have only one receiver, you don't really need the SWM multiswitch. Try removing it and going straight from the lnb to the dvr. You will need a bbc to get the hd channels to come through. If you don't have one you can get one from Directv in a couple of days. Maybe you can flag down a Directv truck and get one that way. If it works without the multiswitch, then that's your problem. If it doesn't, it's probably the lnb. Are you using the SWM setup so that you only need one cable to the dvr? If you can run two, then I would simply not use the SWM multiswitch. Get back to us and let us know how it goes.

 

[Jimbo]

Looks to me like you 101 signals are very poor.
Missing a lot of transponders where there should be a good number.
I to would remove the Multiswitch , go directly from the dish /ground block to the recvr and see what you get, check your SS as well.

Looks like you also need some tweaking on the 99 and 103 sats.

It could be a bad LNB causing the low numbers, when you remove the MS and look , see if they are any better.
You should be able to get the majority of them in the high 80's and up, mostly up.
Could also be a bad connector possibly getting water in it.

 

[holmrun]

Thank you both, I use the SWM to run 1 wire to the DVR and for future expansion when I can get my wife to give up the old SD Directivo in the bedroom (running off the old 3lnb dish) - I will bypass the multiswitch when I get home from work and see if it changes the levels at all. About 8 months ago I had to replace the original SWM multiswitch as it was one of the originals and allowed water to get in - no rubber seals etc... When that happened I lost all signal. I'm pretty sure I still have a bbc so I'll be able to test tonight and report back. Thanks again!

 

[raoul5788]

If you still suspect the lnb after removing the switch, hook up to the old dish and see if it works then.

 

[holmrun]

OK, I removed the SWiM multiswitch and connected the line from the receiver direct to one of the outputs on the LNB with a BBC at the receiver. All of the channels are back, and signal strength has returned on all birds (96, 96, 100, 93, 93) like it used to be. The only problem I have is, why did I lose another multiswitch? This will be the 2nd replacement in about 8 months that I've had to purchase. Is there any troubleshooting I can do to narrow down the issue? The last one that went bad definitely had water in it as even the solid core of the RG6 was rusted through when I removed them. This one still looks new, as do the RG6. Any thoughts? I would just run another cable but the family room is on the first floor not on an outside wall. Thanks again for your assistance.

 

[Jimbo]

OK, I removed the SWiM multiswitch and connected the line from the receiver direct to one of the outputs on the LNB with a BBC at the receiver. All of the channels are back, and signal strength has returned on all birds (96, 96, 100, 93, 93) like it used to be. The only problem I have is, why did I lose another multiswitch? This will be the 2nd replacement in about 8 months that I've had to purchase. Is there any troubleshooting I can do to narrow down the issue? The last one that went bad definitely had water in it as even the solid core of the RG6 was rusted through when I removed them. This one still looks new, as do the RG6. Any thoughts? I would just run another cable but the family room is on the first floor not on an outside wall. Thanks again for your assistance.

WHY are you using a MultiSwitch in the fist place, if your only using one recvr a MS is not required.
Might want to try using the recvr without the MS for a while and see if all is well.

 

[holmrun]

I'm using the SWiM switch to get both tuners working on the DVR since there is only 1 wire and it is in a room downstairs with no outside walls to run a second wire. The same will be used when the TV is replaced in the master bedroom and the directivo replaced with a HD DVR.

 

[raoul5788]

If you are going to replace anything, get a SWM lnb and you will only need the one cable to the dvr.

 

[wildbill129]

He's using a multiswitch because he has a combination of legacy and SWiM equipment. Only way to do it.

To the OP.......is your multiswitch outside? I know they are supposed to be water resistant, but I don't buy it. I would find a way to put it indoors or inside a weatherproof box.

 

[holmrun]

Hi WildBill, yes, both failed SWM switches that I've had were mounted to the 6x6 post that the dish is mounted to exposed to the elements with water loops on the lines etc... I too am skeptical of the resistance to the elements that the SWM switch actually has. If I swap to a SWM LNB I lose the legacy ports for the directivo right? Maybe this is a good excuse to get the wife to give up the tivo...