Problem with Even Ports on Sat 61.5

[lcorios]

As a new guy, I have been lurking and using your good ideas and methods to expand my dish network to HDTV. I now have a VIP622 and 2 811s. Before getting the VIP622 about 2 weeks ago, I was using 2 dishes to pick up 119 and 110 using a SW-64 switch. Last week I added an additional dish for 61.5 and when I hooked it up to the #3 satellite ports on the SW-64 and did a check switch, I got a big red X in the Trans box and "Reception Error" in the Status Box in the Port #3 column.

The message in "details" on the VIP622 was "Satellite Input 1 Missing: Port 3b Sat 61.5 Even" and "Satellite Input 2 Missing: Port 3b Sat 61.5 Even". The 811s show 61.5 and Odd in the 3A slot and a X in 3b - for both Satellite and Polarity.

I powered everything down (including the SW-64) and changed out the cable and the LNB. Same message.

I am using new RG-6 cable and new connectors. One of the LNBs is new and the other is only about 3 months old. Both LNBs work correctly on the 110 dish. To try to check out the switch, I powered down again and traded the #2A and #2B with the #3A and #3B ports on the SW-64. After a check switch the messages were the same except they had moved to the Port #2 column. Sat 110 had moved successfully to the #3 port. Then I powered down, put the right leads in to the correct ports. Next I switched the leads from the 61.5 dish from #3A to #3B and vice versa. Still the same message - still on Port 3b Even.

During all this, when I go to "Point Dish" I get a good signal on all the 61.5 transponders that I am supposed to receive - both odd and even are all above 70. However, from the Program Guide anything on an Even transponder goes to the Error screen that states that the satellite signal has been lost and signal acquisition is in progress. Each time I wait 4-5 minutes to see if it will come in since the transponder has good reception according to "Point Dish". Finally I use the "Recall" button to return to regular programming. I get all of the HD channels (in HD) I am supposed to get from 61.5 on the odd transponders.

Any suggestions about my next step?

 

[garys]

Seems like the 61.5 dish is not alligned properly, make sure brace arm is level and fine tune it's direction. Your numbers should be just a bit higher. What lnb are you using on 61.5?

 

[Smith P.]

I did fix a few SW64 - all of them had problem with dead protection diodes on input or output ports.

 

[lcorios]

The Brace arm is level and I just tried to fine tune it again as much as possible. The current "Point Dish" numbers are:
01 is 81
02 is 78
03 is 78
04 is 77
05 is 74
06 is 80
07 is 80
08 is 78
09 is 78
10 is 76
11 is 76
12 is 74
13 is 73
14 is 71
15 is 71
16 is 73
17 is 74
18 is 72
19 is 73
20 is 71
21 is 71
22 is 71
The newest LNB is a LNB DUAL - California brand Double Output Circular type (LO Freq 11250). The three month old LNBs are DUAL - Double Output Circular type (LO Freq 11250). If you need the actual Model #, etc. I will go up there and get the info. The numbers above are produced by one of the older LNBs but both types got about the same numbers.

 

[lcorios]

Are the protection diodes in the SW-64 internally tuned to a particular sat like 61.5 without regard for the actual physical port used. Could that be the reason that when I changed ports on the SW-64 - the problem moved to the new port?

 

[Smith P.]

NO, all ports [IN/OUT] protected;
if your problem moving to other port, then exclude SW64 from the equation. Try use LNBF from 110/119 in 61.5 position.

 

[Van]

Icorios where are you located, are there possibly obstructions for the line of site for the dish?

 

[lcorios]

I am in deep deep south Texas and there are no trees or obstructions of any kind. The dish has a totally clear view.

 

[Van]

Sounds like its just a little out of tune but even with those numbers it has so I would lean towards the sw-64 wich is a known problem switch to be failing, I would set up a service call and have the switch replaced, you stand a good chance of getting upgraded to a dishpro twin, dual, and dp34 switch or to a dpp44 switch.