Total loss of signal

[TheKrell]

I'm seeing the following symptoms on at least 2 of my 3 receivers. Example: Smithsonian channel and nearby channels. I see a "total loss of signal" screen even though menu 6-1-1 shows green (around 20) on that transponder. This is on 61.5. Many other channels on 61.5 are fine. I started doing a switch check, but didn't save the result because it said I have fewer satellites than before and I was afraid of losing channels (most of them in fact) that are still coming in fine.

I have a 1000.4. I did not check the signal strength on any other sat than 61.5. Is anybody else seeing this issue?

 

[navychop]

Possibilities:

Dish could be off a bit.

LNB could be going bad.

Coax or connectors could have been damaged.

Dingo software ate your ViPs and its time to move to the H3.

 

[stardust3]

My guess is lnb, switch the good receiver around with 1 giving issues. That will give us a place to start.

 

[TheKrell]

Dish could be off a bit.

LNB could be going bad.

Coax or connectors could have been damaged.

Dingo software ate your ViPs and its time to move to the H3.

No dingo software in this house!

I don't see how the dish could be off (probably is a tad) and cause these symptoms. When I'm on a channel showing total signal loss, I used menu 6-1-1 to see what sat and transponder the channel was on. And that was GREEN: green bar, and about the same ss as always.

My guess is lnb, switch the good receiver around with 1 giving issues.

The symptom is the same on two VIP receivers. I didn't check the 3rd, but I can. All 3 coaxes are different cables and fittings from the LNB on down.

 

[stardust3]

We know you have at least 1 612, what else you got on the system?

 

[TheKrell]

1 owned 722 and 2 leased 612's. Ok, you've inspired me to check the 2nd 612. This was all working yesterday!

The 3rd 612 is similar but can barely pull in Smithsonian possibly because it's the closest to the LNB. But now it says Smithsonian is on 72! My other 612 which I checked a couple of hours ago now says "72" on menu 6-1-1 as well, but the transponder identity below the green ss bar shows 61.5. What on earth is going on here? Is Dish moving channels around?

 

[HipKat]

Some months ago, some 612's started showing pixelation and signal loss on upper cable channels. The only fix was to replace with a 722. However, you said your signal strength on the 61 is 20?? That's extremely low. I'd bet your dish is off, slightly. It happens

 

[TheKrell]

What do you make of the satellites switching on Smithsonian Channel? Either I'm dreaming, or it went from 61.5 to 72 sometime today.

Yes, I believe my dish needs peaking. I am also suspicious of my Brandford pear. I am getting some estimates from tree pruners. The last one I got wanted nearly $800 to top just that one not very tall tree.

 

[dishdude]

20 sounds too low to stay locked. What's signal like on the other birds? 61.5 should have a really high look angle from where you're at, so that would have to be a really close tree.

 

[stardust3]

For $800 I'll drive there trim the tree and peak your dish.

 

[Riverpilot]

I was having problems with 61.5 sat today as well, not all the channels but certain transponders, including my local channels spotbeam 25.

I went online to the Dish chat and they told me that "weather" was affecting the reception. Not at my house but at some uplink location. :shrug: During the chat, I was watching the signal strength jump all over the place, 40s to 20s, etc... several hours later, everything is back to normal.

As an update, I'm looking at the Smithsonian channel and only getting a signal strength of 30, sat 72 transponder 24. It used to be on 61.5 sat. I'm noticing other channels switching around as well.

61.5 sat I'm getting 40's and 50's depending on transponder.

 

[sam_gordon]

I have a 612 and 211. I continue to have issues with the 211 when it's in it's normal location. If I swap receivers, the problem goes away. I'd leave them swapped, but want the DVR in the bedroom Yes, I know I can pay $40 and add DVR to the 211, but I'm cheap and not sure if it's a dual tuner (so I can watch one thing and record another).

I say that to suggest a) swapping receiver locations, especially with your 612 and b) possible tuner issue with the 722?

 

[DishSubLA]

I had I had a similar problem on Thursday night, however to me it had all the earmarks of dish tweaking. in my case the problem occurred late at night which is the middle of the night for the East and Midwest which is the time dish likes to tweaks every so often obviously because it affects fewer people since most everyone's asleep except those of us on the west coast when it usually starts around 11:00 11:30PM time when the really good stuff is still on.

when I checked the signal strength of the transponders affected they were showing good numbers which meant the RF is there but the data ain't coming down. so no signal problem. since I have noticed some picture quality improvements on some channels lately, I am making a wild bet that Dish is in the process of changing out encoders, than having to adjust those encoders as they bring them online. My interruptions only lasted a total of perhaps 10 minutes or so and then a new set of channels what have the same problem after the previous problem channels are working just fine.

I don't really know if it is an encoder change out, but it had all the earmarks of the typical dish Tech tweaking, and I'm betting that's what it is at least what I observed at the same times and the same symptoms whenever dish tweeks, and one of the things that happens when dish tweaks is some people come onto the form and report all the funny business. over the years I've been through so many dish tweaking sessions I can smell them from down the hall. This is all IMHO.

 

[TheKrell]

20 sounds too low to stay locked. What's signal like on the other birds? 61.5 should have a really high look angle from where you're at, so that would have to be a really close tree.

Yes, I believe it is low to begin with and the dish could be peaked. But it doesn't lose lock until below about 12 on my VIP receivers' scale. All of EA from here is near a 45 deg elevation angle; the lowest angle is 61.5 IIRC. I intend to get my Bradford pear tree topped in a few weeks to remove that potential issue.

For $800 I'll drive there trim the tree and peak your dish.

Sorry; today's disaster is water in my basement, above which there is no plumbing. I suspect a clogged sewer line.

As an update, I'm looking at the Smithsonian channel and only getting a signal strength of 30, sat 72 transponder 24. It used to be on 61.5 sat. I'm noticing other channels switching around as well.

And... Smithsonian is back on all 3 receivers! Yup; it's now on transponder 24 of 72. I think that changed from 61.5 yesterday, because when I first noticed it, 2 of my 3 receivers were showing it on 61.5. By the time I got around to checking the 3rd receiver, it was showing 72 and rather low signal strength. When it was on 61.5, I got better ss. But now it's half what you are seeing. Clearly my tree needs trimming, or my dish needs peaking.

Anyhow, the confusing situation from Saturday is resolved, and I know what I have to do to improve reception further. Thanks guys.

 

[navychop]

Bradford Pear trees only last about 18 years. You might be ahead to just take it down.

We once bought a home where we looked out the Master Bedroom on the second floor and saw all this lovely green from a Bradford Pear tree. Part of why we bought the place.

A few weeks later, it split itself in half. Suicide, I’m sure. Sigh. Had to remove it entirely.

Check yours for any possible cracks starting, where upward branch’s deviate from the trunk. You may find some bad news.

 

[stardust3]

Yes, I believe it is low to begin with and the dish could be peaked. But it doesn't lose lock until below about 12 on my VIP receivers' scale. All of EA from here is near a 45 deg elevation angle; the lowest angle is 61.5 IIRC. I intend to get my Bradford pear tree topped in a few weeks to remove that potential issue.


Sorry; today's disaster is water in my basement, above which there is no plumbing. I suspect a clogged sewer line.


And... Smithsonian is back on all 3 receivers! Yup; it's now on transponder 24 of 72. I think that changed from 61.5 yesterday, because when I first noticed it, 2 of my 3 receivers were showing it on 61.5. By the time I got around to checking the 3rd receiver, it was showing 72 and rather low signal strength. When it was on 61.5, I got better ss. But now it's half what you are seeing. Clearly my tree needs trimming, or my dish needs peaking.

Anyhow, the confusing situation from Saturday is resolved, and I know what I have to do to improve reception further. Thanks guys.

Wow when it rains it pours. Was kidding in my last post, it's too far to drive even for $800. In all seriousness if we lived close I would gladly help for a small fraction of that and a cold refreshment.

Along with the possible obstruction & the need for dish alignment it could very well be the lnb on the skids also. Would be interesting to see what happens later in the heat of the day.

If only Smithsonian were on 1 of the channel packs, I could save a ton of money. By far my favorite channel on dish. Think of trying Smithsonian Earth, they have a free trial for 30 days then $3.99 a month afterwards.

 

[TheKrell]

Bradford Pear trees only last about 18 years. You might be ahead to just take it down.

I have heard that they are brittle and can split like yours did. Sorry to hear that. I have two of these trees, and I believe both are significantly older than 18 years. The one potentially in my LOS has been chopped back down to some large branches about 10' up by the previous owner Everything higher than that is no older than 14. It hasn't committed suicide yet, and I think it can just be topped to fix the issue with my reception.

If only Smithsonian were on 1 of the channel packs, I could save a ton of money. By far my favorite channel on dish. Think of trying Smithsonian Earth, they have a free trial for 30 days then $3.99 a month afterwards.

Me too! There are only one or two channels that keep me on AT250. I wish these were in one of the Flex Packs, and I'd be there too. Let me know how Smithsonian Earth is. I noticed a Smithsonian Channel on my Roku and sometimes watch that. What's available there, ad supported, is a small fraction of what's on their linear channel. If Smithsonian Earth gives you their whole catalog, that would be fantastic.

P.S. My plumber fixed the leak. It's absolutely crazy how much water can leak out of a tiny copper line to my basement refrigerator. The plumber only charged me $209. But I am going to have to replace the flooring in my basement, and possibly more, before this disaster is done with me.

 

[stardust3]

P.S. My plumber fixed the leak. It's absolutely crazy how much water can leak out of a tiny copper line to my basement refrigerator. The plumber only charged me $209. But I am going to have to replace the flooring in my basement, and possibly more, before this disaster is done with me.

Bummer, had a leak go undetected under the dishwasher for who knows how long. After getting that mess fixed I put a water sensor alarm underneath there. These things literally have a dozen different uses around the house.

Amazon product ASIN B000JOK11K

 

[navychop]

Duct tape for Bradfords?

 

[TheKrell]

Duct tape for Bradfords?

No! A professional trimming.