KVH Tracvision LM Sat Acq Problem

[tkcas01]

I have the Tracvision LM in-motion system on my RV. I have an older DTV receiver with low speed data port that I have used for almost 3 years to help the LM lock on the signal. I then turn the LM off and switch the signal to my R15 DVR so it can pick up the signal. Has always worked.

Last time I relocated, the LM will not lock on. I moved twice to make sure trees were not in the way. In talking to DTV, they say that I need to have signals from 27 of the 32 transponders to get any picture. The most I get are 4. They suggested I might have a bad cable.

Does this make sense? How could a cable pass through some transponder signals and not others? Would the LNB be another possible culprit? Tomorrow a neighbor is going to let me borrow a portable dish, so I will be able to confirm the receiver is still good. Any other similar experiences or ideas?

 

[Zynergi]

If the cable has become damaged in some way or another it may block certain frequencies that the transponders sit on. Are you 100% positive that you are getting a good signal from the LNB?

 

[tkcas01]

Say, thanks for the reply! No, not sure the LNB is providing a good signal. I was thinking of running a cable directly from the LNB to my receiver and see if anything different results. Is this a valid troubleshooting technique?

 

[Zynergi]

yes it is... it would eliminate the inner cables, but also check connectors as well.

 

[tkcas01]

OK, finally had time to troubleshoot. Borrowed a portable dish from a neighbor and confirmed my receiver is OK and confirmed the satellite location relative to trees. I tried both feeds coming out of the dome, and both would only pick up 6-8 transponders, mostly in the high end (22-31). I then ran an external cable from RF2 on the LNB directly to the receiver, and same transponder pattern there. So, should I be reasonably confident that my LNB has gone bad?