Understanding the sat signal.

[igator99]

I lost 119 in the last month. My dish is in my front yard. The branch blocking the signal is in the backyard. Some of the branches are like 60 feet up. I can't touch them. I was able to hit the 119 using my old 3lnb in the backyard. I marked the spot and plan on clearing the branches as high as I can get with a rope saw. I'm figuring I can get about 30 feet up which would more than clear my roof. My question is will the signal come through? Is the signal like a long line from the ground straight up or is more like a flashlight beam and if the branch is 60 feet up I'm SOOL?

 

[Brewer4]

I had the same problem with 119. Looking out from the dish, its on the right side and the lowest of the satellites if you are on the East Coast. I could get about 30-40% during winter but summer the signal was gone with the leaves. I finally found the right tree and took it down. My trees are also about 50-60 feet. They are also very skinny as they fight for light way at top. So I think the signal block is low but probably at the top of the tree line. Hard to tell without a picture but thats how it was at my yard. The block could be as small as a few feet and not the whole tree.

 

[igator99]

I had the same problem with 119. Looking out from the dish, its on the right side and the lowest of the satellites if you are on the East Coast. I could get about 30-40% during winter but summer the signal was gone with the leaves. I finally found the right tree and took it down. My trees are also about 50-60 feet. They are also very skinny as they fight for light way at top. So I think the signal block is low but probably at the top of the tree line. Hard to tell without a picture but thats how it was at my yard. The block could be as small as a few feet and not the whole tree.

Thanks Brewer. I guess all I can do is hack away along that line and pray. What is weird is that after a rain it starts to come in. My guess is the branch is soaked thus sagging and giving me the signal. Thanks again for your input.

 

[Brewer4]

Thanks Brewer. I guess all I can do is hack away along that line and pray. What is weird is that after a rain it starts to come in. My guess is the branch is soaked thus sagging and giving me the signal. Thanks again for your input.

Yep I saw same thing. Rain would help push some leaves down but then sat signal is a bit worse in heavy cloud cover. I tell you, knocking that right tree was a godsend. It really changed my path to keep Directv. If I didnt get it down I dont know if I would have them today as 119 was pretty important as our SD locals were there. You may just hit the right branch and voila, signal. I definately feel your pain.

 

[Brewer4]

I also forgot to mention the tree in question was lower then the majority of my major trees. So it was below the 60 foot tree line I have if this helps for encouragement. I say it was around the 30-40 mark where the leaves were but then that was 40-50 feet or so form house where the tree line starts for me.

 

[atp1313]

I think I remember my original HD installer saying that something the size/diameter of a quarter (tree branch) at any point in the data stream ("signal beam") would knock out the HD signal. Is it the same for all sat signals?

So before you go cutting down a forest, do what you can to find the one or two branches that are a problem.

 

[igator99]

I think I remember my original HD installer saying that something the size/diameter of a quarter (tree branch) at any point in the data stream ("signal beam") would knock out the HD signal. Is it the same for all sat signals?

So before you go cutting down a forest, do what you can to find the one or two branches that are a problem.

I have a very strong feeling it is one of two pine tree branches. I'm going to start there. Who knows I might get lucky and that will do it. I know of no way of knowing for sure. Besides the more branches I cut the less leafs I will have to rake this fall.

 

[Joe Diamond]

This may not work in suburbia but.......
I have watched as installation customers have used 12 ga shotguns & BB ammo prune a limb or two. I point and they shoot. Up goes the signal. That is why they call some jobs "nonstandard installations."

Joe

 

[igator99]

This may not work in suburbia but.......
I have watched as installation customers have used 12 ga shotguns & BB ammo prune a limb or two. I point and they shoot. Up goes the signal. That is why they call some jobs "nonstandard installations."

Joe

I don't think my local jail has DirecTV :yikes Don't get me wrong I've thought about a sniper rifle.

 

[atp1313]

This may not work in suburbia but.......
I have watched as installation customers have used 12 ga shotguns & BB ammo prune a limb or two. I point and they shoot. Up goes the signal. That is why they call some jobs "nonstandard installations."

Joe

HOLY SH*T!!! Now that is thinking outside the box! : :clap

 

[Jimbo]

Besides the more branches I cut the less leafs I will have to rake this fall.

See, there IS a positive to this story :up

Jimbo