Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - DirecTV and signal strength
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mark22
04-01-05, 08:19 AM
DirecTV and signal strength
When I check the signal strength on my Sony SAT A3 receiver, I get a level of 77-79 using the default settings (transponder 2) and near the level bar it says "LOCKED". When changing the transponder nr, I get much better level of over 90, let's say on transponder nr 6. But actually I can't make it remain on nr 6, always goes back to # 2. In the receiver manual says "The Transponder option allows you to select a transponder number from 1 to 32. You should not need to change this number (the default is 2) unless you're instructed to do so by your program provider". This is my question. Why the DirecTV guy which mounted the dish did not select as default a better transponder nr, because with the one that it is default now sometimes I have rain fading problems. What should I do to change it. I remember a few years ago when living at another location and when called DirecTV customer service with this problem, they said that it can not be changed from Transponder 2. Why is that?
Thank you
Mark
When I check the signal strength on my Sony SAT A3 receiver, I get a level of 77-79 using the default settings (transponder 2) and near the level bar it says "LOCKED". When changing the transponder nr, I get much better level of over 90, let's say on transponder nr 6. But actually I can't make it remain on nr 6, always goes back to # 2. In the receiver manual says "The Transponder option allows you to select a transponder number from 1 to 32. You should not need to change this number (the default is 2) unless you're instructed to do so by your program provider". This is my question. Why the DirecTV guy which mounted the dish did not select as default a better transponder nr, because with the one that it is default now sometimes I have rain fading problems. What should I do to change it. I remember a few years ago when living at another location and when called DirecTV customer service with this problem, they said that it can not be changed from Transponder 2. Why is that?
Thank you
Mark
Desy2820
04-02-05, 06:09 PM
you have to use transponder 2, but you should be able to get more signal.
Check all of your cables for secure connections and overall condition. Are they any trees or bushes that have gotten taller and may be blocking some of the signal? Is the dish itself fairly clean? The lens covering the LNB?
If none of the above, then my suggestion would be to try and move the dish slightly to bring the signal up. Mark the starting point for any adjustment you make so you can put it back. If you look at the dish you should see some bolts that you can loosen to move the dish around. Only loosen the bolts for one adjustment at a time and tighten them when you're done. On mine there are 3 possible adjustments.
I would try moving the dish up and down and then from side-to side first. There's another adjustment that involves actually turning the dish called "polarization". This one is really tricky and sensitive. Move this one
s-l-o-w-l-y and in very small increments. The signal bar may take a few seconds to register while moving, so you may overshoot and need to move it back a little...just keep this in mind.
My low-tech approach uses my wife at the TV looking at the signal stregnth bar and yelling out the window/door at me on the roof. You may be able to find/borrow/buy a signal stregnth meter. Check all of the bolts when you're done to ensure they're tight.
I've had to move mine due to falling tree branches and a severe wind storm. It's not hard, just go slow and only make one adjustment at a time. Tighten bolts when you complete each adjustment.
Hope this helps!
Check all of your cables for secure connections and overall condition. Are they any trees or bushes that have gotten taller and may be blocking some of the signal? Is the dish itself fairly clean? The lens covering the LNB?
If none of the above, then my suggestion would be to try and move the dish slightly to bring the signal up. Mark the starting point for any adjustment you make so you can put it back. If you look at the dish you should see some bolts that you can loosen to move the dish around. Only loosen the bolts for one adjustment at a time and tighten them when you're done. On mine there are 3 possible adjustments.
I would try moving the dish up and down and then from side-to side first. There's another adjustment that involves actually turning the dish called "polarization". This one is really tricky and sensitive. Move this one
s-l-o-w-l-y and in very small increments. The signal bar may take a few seconds to register while moving, so you may overshoot and need to move it back a little...just keep this in mind.
My low-tech approach uses my wife at the TV looking at the signal stregnth bar and yelling out the window/door at me on the roof. You may be able to find/borrow/buy a signal stregnth meter. Check all of the bolts when you're done to ensure they're tight.
I've had to move mine due to falling tree branches and a severe wind storm. It's not hard, just go slow and only make one adjustment at a time. Tighten bolts when you complete each adjustment.
Hope this helps!
bluecube
04-02-05, 09:25 PM
A transponder refers to a group of channels, ie Transponder 2 = Channels 200-215, Transponder 3= Channels 400-420 etc. (they don't lay out quite that way, but for our purposes lets keep it simple) So when you select the signal meter on your receiver setup, it just defaults to the first transponder. It is not a permanent setting that is selected by the installer, it simply gives you an idea of what the signal strength is for a group of channels.
As to rain fade, it can happen. I'm not sure how often it is occuring to you, but if you are getting in the 90's on most transponders than it should be rare. The dish may need some minor tweaking as the other reply described. Also, if you have more than one receiver you may be going through a multiswitch or diplexors. I've had these block out transponders in the past so they may need to be checked too.
As to rain fade, it can happen. I'm not sure how often it is occuring to you, but if you are getting in the 90's on most transponders than it should be rare. The dish may need some minor tweaking as the other reply described. Also, if you have more than one receiver you may be going through a multiswitch or diplexors. I've had these block out transponders in the past so they may need to be checked too.
mark22
04-04-05, 06:44 AM
I just check randomly about 30 channels from 100-900 and all were using only transponder # 2. It is supposed to be like that? Thank you.
mark22
04-05-05, 06:26 AM
I checked last night all the transponders level:
1--92
2--80-82
3--91-92
4--96-97
5--89-90
6--82
7--88
8--79-81
9--79-80
10--65-67
11--74-75
12--78-79
13--70-72
14--65-66
15--68-71
16--63
17--66-68
18--76-78
19--63-65
20--66-68
21--58-59
22--56-58
23--57-59
24--57-59
25--53-57
26--60-61
27--55-56
28--0
29--50-51
30--53-55
31--53-55
32--52-54
Exactly the transponders that transmit most programs that I watch has a level under 70 like # 10, # 15, # 21, # 25, # 27, # 29, # 30 and # 32. Is this normal? Trying to realign the dish is going to improve the signal strength? Thank you again.
Mark
1--92
2--80-82
3--91-92
4--96-97
5--89-90
6--82
7--88
8--79-81
9--79-80
10--65-67
11--74-75
12--78-79
13--70-72
14--65-66
15--68-71
16--63
17--66-68
18--76-78
19--63-65
20--66-68
21--58-59
22--56-58
23--57-59
24--57-59
25--53-57
26--60-61
27--55-56
28--0
29--50-51
30--53-55
31--53-55
32--52-54
Exactly the transponders that transmit most programs that I watch has a level under 70 like # 10, # 15, # 21, # 25, # 27, # 29, # 30 and # 32. Is this normal? Trying to realign the dish is going to improve the signal strength? Thank you again.
Mark