Won't share all of our satellite tv stories but let's just say we are getting to know a little more each time we move.
My question is: How do we find the channels that we have lost when we crossed the US? We are now in southern Arizona. We have reception that is 98% and channels that come in work great. We are missing Discovery and some HBO channels(that I know of) We are using a slimline dish(oval) on tripod.(receives the hd channels)
We have shut everything down and restarted system, moved the dish, and talked with 4 in technical support. Their only solution is a 100.00 service call. Is this the only answer? Would be willing to try any suggestions.
I have typed and erased several thoughts but won't give it the space. Let's just say it is good for us to learn new things.
Ckerr said
01:48 PM Oct 22, 2011
Afraid we can't help much. After having DirectTV for years (decades?) Johnny switched to Dish a little over 1 year ago because he got so frustrated with the problems as we traveled.
I have seen some info indicating that DirectTV is losing some channels as contracts with providers expire...
Bill Adams said
05:58 PM Oct 22, 2011
Have you checked your signal strengths on all of your transponders (HD is mostly on 99 and 103)? If so, what kind of numbers are you seeing. What specific channels #'s are missing?
Bill and Linda said
08:20 PM Oct 22, 2011
Bill, the HD’s are indeed on 99 and 103.Now here is the weird part.I have also been having trouble but only with the 99 bird. Never the 103. And guess where I am, Arizona / New Mexico, same as “janni.”
I thought the problem was in the 4x4 the multi-switch in the LNB head.Is the multi-switch in the Winegard SK-3005 in the LNB head or is it physically in the assembly where the cables come out to go through the roof?If I knew where to look for any loose connections I would check.The deal is, the 99 bird seems to “come and go.”Sometimes only the odd or even transponders are out; sometimes all xponders.Never had this on the east coast (at S & B home) but seem to be having a lot of 99 bird problems out here in the west from time-to-time.Right now, all good in New Mexico with all 5 birds. No 103 bird issues. Weird.
Could it really be the uplink(s)?
What say you, sir?With a little info maybe I can trouble shoot this for us both.)
(janni, Just FYI, this has nothing to do with expiring contracts, etc. as to the loss of "channels." Bill A.'s question is spot on as to finiding the issue.)
Bill
Bill Adams said
09:05 PM Oct 22, 2011
The multi-switch in a tripod or a Winegard is in the head of the LNB setup. I doubt you have a loose connection but that's the place to look. You are only going to find an LNB assembly and 4 cables coming out. You would need to disassemble the LNB assembly to locate any kind of an internal issue. Maybe DirecTV is having an issue. Don't go crazy until we have a couple of days behind us.
janni said
10:05 PM Oct 22, 2011
Thanks for the info. Will check it again tomorrow and report the numbers. Almost all the HD channels do not come in. Seems we get some signal on 103 and none on 99.
Bill Adams said
08:14 AM Oct 23, 2011
Has it ever worked properly with this particular antenna? It sounds to me like you need to add BBC's (B-Band converters to the receiver or you have not changed the receiver setup to match the antenna type. If this receiver was used at home with a SWM antenna and you moved to the RV without such a setup (which would be expected) then you must change the receiver setup and add the BBC's for the signals on 99 and 103 to light up.
janni said
09:21 AM Oct 23, 2011
The setup was installed in our rv from the start. We moved 300 miles the first move and had no problems. Moved to Loveland CO and had a tree in the way but other than that it came in and worked alright. We have the best reception from the start right here in AZ. I am no sat tv geek but it sure seems like it has to be something else as the rest of it fell right into place. Not sure if I explained this all correctly and I certainly don't want to appear "snarky". I am thankful for any suggestions.
Bill and Linda said
11:04 AM Oct 23, 2011
janni wrote:
The setup was installed in our rv from the start. We moved 300 miles the first move and had no problems. Moved to Loveland CO and had a tree in the way but other than that it came in and worked alright. We have the best reception from the start right here in AZ. I am no sat tv geek but it sure seems like it has to be something else as the rest of it fell right into place. Not sure if I explained this all correctly and I certainly don't want to appear "snarky". I am thankful for any suggestions.
Janni:When you look at the control box for the antenna, do you see on the second row of read outs the numbers *101 *110 *119 ?The “*” indicates that the satellite has been found.The dish uses these three satellites to align the dish and the 99 and 103 satellites are aligned as well as they are in the same arc as the 101 110 and 119 satellites.
What I am asking is, do you have the read out above.If you do, in general, that means the dish is aligned more or less properly.(Taking this simply at first.)
BTW, in New Mexico my issues have gone away.
Point of information:You should be able to get all the major channels in Standard Definition (that’s in general – some exceptions) from the single source 101 bird. (That’s one advantage of Direct TV when trees are blocking the birds.) So tune to the channels that are the Standard Definition version of the channel.
For example: Fox News is on 360, but tune to the 360 that indicates “FNC” and not “FNCHD.”If you don’t see two 360’s in the guide you need to go to the setup and Setup Page / Display/ Preferences / Guide HD Channels.Select “Show all Channels.”(I am assuming your DVR has the same menu version as mine.)
Perhaps this will help a bit now, and in the future.
Bill
Bill Adams said
07:47 PM Oct 23, 2011
I have read and re-read this post and I don't see anything about them having a Winegard antenna (the reference to 101, 110, 119) or any kind of an automatic antenna for that matter. I always love the comments about "it must be something else". The question remains...do you have the BBC's installed between the coax input and the receiver?
Bill and Linda said
07:57 PM Oct 23, 2011
Bill Adams wrote:
I have read and re-read this post and I don't see anything about them having a Winegard antenna (the reference to 101, 110, 119) or any kind of an automatic antenna for that matter. I always love the comments about "it must be something else". The question remains...do you have the BBC's installed between the coax input and the receiver?
Bill, I see you point.But when I read this in their post: “The setup was installed in our rv from the start.” and they noted they had HD, I made the assumption that it must be an SK-3005 Winegard antenna.Not too much of a big leap to make that assumption, but nonetheless an assumption on my part. My error. With that assumption in mind my comments were appropriate IMO.But you’re right, they are using a tripod and I made a bad assumption on the “installed” part of the post and they probably never had HD in the first place due to no BBC's.
Bill
Bill Adams said
08:09 PM Oct 23, 2011
Yep, I have fallen into that trap many times. It is usually followed up by someone who says "did you even read their post?!". We all make mistakes and there is always someone just waiting on the sidelines to expose your (my) error. They still don't offer any help or advice but are sure happy (and quick) to point out the error of my ways.
janni said
11:13 PM Oct 23, 2011
The setup is a dish on the tripod. We do have the one on top of coach but are not using it as it will not work for the hd channels. I can see now that I was wrong to think it could be anything else when I have no credentials to back it. The last tech we talked to said it may be that our whole setup is not made for receiving satellite tv here. I assumed(I know about assuming) one setup would work across the US. Will watch what we can get for now and just cancel part of our package if the channels won't come in. Thanks much for your help.
Bill Adams said
08:38 AM Oct 24, 2011
Your tech is "making stuff up" as all of the Nationally broadcast programming is available everywhere in the US without exception (other than those darn trees!). The only programming that is NOT available Nationwide are the local Network programs. ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CW, PBS and other locally broadcast channels. On your satellite guide these would be the channels that match what you see on your over the air TV. i.e. channels 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. All of the channels in your guide that start in the 100-200 channel range and go up from there are all available Nationwide if you have paid for the proper subscription to include these channels. Channels that you have not paid for will show up in a slightly different color (light blue on mine) indicating you are not subscribed. Otherwise, all the channels all the time!
Won't share all of our satellite tv stories but let's just say we are getting to know a little more each time we move.
My question is: How do we find the channels that we have lost when we crossed the US? We are now in southern Arizona. We have reception that is 98% and channels that come in work great. We are missing Discovery and some HBO channels(that I know of) We are using a slimline dish(oval) on tripod.(receives the hd channels)
We have shut everything down and restarted system, moved the dish, and talked with 4 in technical support. Their only solution is a 100.00 service call. Is this the only answer? Would be willing to try any suggestions.
I have typed and erased several thoughts but won't give it the space. Let's just say it is good for us to learn new things.
I have seen some info indicating that DirectTV is losing some channels as contracts with providers expire...
Bill, the HD’s are indeed on 99 and 103. Now here is the weird part. I have also been having trouble but only with the 99 bird. Never the 103. And guess where I am, Arizona / New Mexico, same as “janni.”
I thought the problem was in the 4x4 the multi-switch in the LNB head. Is the multi-switch in the Winegard SK-3005 in the LNB head or is it physically in the assembly where the cables come out to go through the roof? If I knew where to look for any loose connections I would check. The deal is, the 99 bird seems to “come and go.” Sometimes only the odd or even transponders are out; sometimes all xponders. Never had this on the east coast (at S & B home) but seem to be having a lot of 99 bird problems out here in the west from time-to-time. Right now, all good in New Mexico with all 5 birds. No 103 bird issues. Weird.
Could it really be the uplink(s)?
What say you, sir? With a little info maybe I can trouble shoot this for us both.)
(janni, Just FYI, this has nothing to do with expiring contracts, etc. as to the loss of "channels." Bill A.'s question is spot on as to finiding the issue.)
Bill
Janni: When you look at the control box for the antenna, do you see on the second row of read outs the numbers *101 *110 *119 ? The “*” indicates that the satellite has been found. The dish uses these three satellites to align the dish and the 99 and 103 satellites are aligned as well as they are in the same arc as the 101 110 and 119 satellites.
What I am asking is, do you have the read out above. If you do, in general, that means the dish is aligned more or less properly. (Taking this simply at first.)
BTW, in New Mexico my issues have gone away.
Point of information: You should be able to get all the major channels in Standard Definition (that’s in general – some exceptions) from the single source 101 bird. (That’s one advantage of Direct TV when trees are blocking the birds.) So tune to the channels that are the Standard Definition version of the channel.
For example: Fox News is on 360, but tune to the 360 that indicates “FNC” and not “FNCHD.” If you don’t see two 360’s in the guide you need to go to the setup and Setup Page / Display/ Preferences / Guide HD Channels. Select “Show all Channels.” (I am assuming your DVR has the same menu version as mine.)
Perhaps this will help a bit now, and in the future.
Bill
I always love the comments about "it must be something else". The question remains...do you have the BBC's installed between the coax input and the receiver?
Bill, I see you point. But when I read this in their post: “The setup was installed in our rv from the start.” and they noted they had HD, I made the assumption that it must be an SK-3005 Winegard antenna. Not too much of a big leap to make that assumption, but nonetheless an assumption on my part. My error. With that assumption in mind my comments were appropriate IMO. But you’re right, they are using a tripod and I made a bad assumption on the “installed” part of the post and they probably never had HD in the first place due to no BBC's.
Bill