How to check satellite signal on your marine or RV DIRECTV receiver

Signal Connect is the number one dealer for boats and RV satellite television service! We’ve been helping customers get live TV away from home for over 20 years and we’ve gotten every award there is, including DIRECTV’s prestigious Dealer of the Year award.

Watching satellite TV on your boat or in your RV can be pretty different from watching at home. Most DIRECTV customers at home use Genie technology. You can’t blame them, of course, because the Genie system is so awesome. You get the ability to record up to 7 programs, watch in 4K, and pause live TV in every room. However, DIRECTV’s Genie isn’t always compatible with RV and marine satellite systems. Here are some reasons you might not have a Genie system on your boat:

• If you are using a single-satellite system like the Intellian i3, KVH TracVision TV3, Winegard Roadtrip T2, or KING One Pro, you won’t be able to use a Genie system at all.
• If your satellite system only works while parked like the Winegard Trav’ler Pro, you might not be able to record programs when you want to.
• If your boat has a satellite system designed for international use, you won’t be able to use a Genie system.
• If you have a larger boat and need more than 7 rooms with satellite service, you won’t be able to use a Genie system.

For all those reasons, most of our RV and marine customers prefer to use standalone receivers like the DIRECTV H24 and H25. These older receivers have proven to be real workhorses and are the best option for most RV and marine customers. (Commercial receivers have access to the new H26K receiver. Contact your Signal Connect rep at 888-233-7563 to see if you qualify.)

Checking Signal Strength on H24 and H25 receivers​

If you’re having any problems at all with your RV or marine system, your Signal Connect rep may ask you to run a Signal Strength test. This is very easy and you can do it any time your satellite TV system is turned on.

Step 1: Press MENU on the remote.​

Step 2: Use the arrows to go to Settings & Help, then over to Settings. Press SELECT.​

Step 3: Arrow down to Satellite and, with “View Signal Strength” highlighted, press SELECT.​

You’ll see a screen that fills up with numbers like the one you see below.

All of those numbers should be over 75. It’s normal to see a few zeroes, but if you see more than a few or if you see every other number be a zero, that’s a problem.

With the “+” highlighted, press SELECT to change satellites.

With some satellites, it’s normal to see “N/A” shown on some spots. Depending on what kind of satellite system you have, it’s normal to see different satellites. You may see:

• 99 (ca)
• 99 (cb)
• 99 (s)
• 99 (cr)
• 103 (ca)
• 103 (cb)
• 103 (s)
• 103 (cr)
• 119

You may see all or none of these and that’s normal depending on what kind of system you have.

Finishing the test​

With “Done” highlighted, press SELECT.

You’ll see a screen like this, and it can take up to 5 minutes for the green bar to go all the way to the right.

Finally, you’ll see this screen. Press SELECT or EXIT to go back to live TV.

Here’s a video that shows the process in action.

Something to consider​

Running this signal strength test by itself should not interrupt live TV for other people on the boat or RV. However, if your Signal Connect rep asks you to change anything about your satellite setup, that will stop live TV for everyone. Be considerate to the other folks around you, and let them know.

If you have questions about your satellite service, call the experts at 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below and we’ll get right back to you!


The post How to check satellite signal on your marine or RV DIRECTV receiver appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.

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