Loss of signal on DTV after rain; can't re-aquire

[StarSeeker]

After a heavy rain which was causing my DTV signal to go in and out for 2 days, eventually I found that there was 0 signal on all the transponders (no other changes had been made at that point).

Whilst it was still raining a little (but not enough where it should interrupt signal) I tried moving my dish UP a bit (due to a poor original installation from the "pro", I had to re-adjust a couple times, especially after high winds). I got no signal.

Even after the rain stopped and things dried out, I was unable to get ANY signal level on any transponder. This was a first, as I've always gotten at least SOMETHING. I tried moving the dish (including aligning the el/az as stipulated then moving incrementally) but I was still unable to find any signal. I have always been able to get at least something before.

Could something be fundamentally wrong this time? Maybe due to rain over several years? Is there any way to tell? How does one determine if there's a flaw in the hardware (e.g. the LNB)?

Also, what would be the best way to point the dish? Is there a certain transponder I should use which would work best? Any other tips?

I'm using a standard DTV round dish, installed in 2002, with a basic dual-LNB and only one receiver / cable.

 

[HDinCincy]

After a heavy rain which was causing my DTV signal to go in and out for 2 days, eventually I found that there was 0 signal on all the transponders (no other changes had been made at that point).

Whilst it was still raining a little (but not enough where it should interrupt signal) I tried moving my dish UP a bit (due to a poor original installation from the "pro", I had to re-adjust a couple times, especially after high winds). I got no signal.

Even after the rain stopped and things dried out, I was unable to get ANY signal level on any transponder. This was a first, as I've always gotten at least SOMETHING. I tried moving the dish (including aligning the el/az as stipulated then moving incrementally) but I was still unable to find any signal. I have always been able to get at least something before.

Could something be fundamentally wrong this time? Maybe due to rain over several years? Is there any way to tell? How does one determine if there's a flaw in the hardware (e.g. the LNB)?

Also, what would be the best way to point the dish? Is there a certain transponder I should use which would work best? Any other tips?

I'm using a standard DTV round dish, installed in 2002, with a basic dual-LNB and only one receiver / cable.

Star...Welcome! I am not an expert (or installer) but as I use my D* for tailgating, I have set up the "old" legacy dishes a lot. It is usually VERY simple. the biggest error is not plumbing the pole. If it is perfectly vertical, look for the 101 sat. That is where 99% of the SD stuff is. I assume you know how to use your receiver to do this as you mention it. I find the signal strength screen (with VU meters and audio feedback) to the be the easiest. If you still have no signal, it's very possible your LNB has somehow failed. That is rare (supposedly) but it did happen to me once when I was an E* sub. HTH.

 

[StarSeeker]

Thanks for the welcome!

Yes, I realize that it's supposed to be simple... and I indeed use the signal meter screen. I've always been able to get a signal before. Yet not this time. Even without a plumb pole, in the past, I found a signal just by sweeping the area.

My system was set up fine and at least approximately pointed before it quit. So there's nothing in the setup which has changed; it just quit during rain and never resumed.

What you say about the LNB is what I'm wondering may have happened. I've tried re-calc'g the settings and sweeping the area; I get ZERO signal. Hence my concerns about a hardware problem such as LNB.

Coincidentally, I have a spare LNB, which I know worked a few years ago, somewhere, from an old dish a friend got rid of. I just wish I had a clue where it WAS.

 

[boba]

You could have a bad LNB but you could also have a bad receiver or even corroded cables. Do you have 12-18 volts coming out of the receiver? Do you have the 12-18 volts available at the dish? Have you checked the connections at the grounding block? Have you checked for water in the cable line itself?

 

[StarSeeker]

Hi and thanks for the info.

I checked for water and corrosion, yes, but thanks for the tip about checking voltage at the dish.

I seriously doubt it's the receiver only because it failed in the middle of heavy rain - it was intermittent then eventually lost all signal when I went to check signal strength. It would be a big coincidence if the failure of the receiver was at the time when a big external event was occurring. I tend to believe whatever's wrong is either outside the house, or at least something which could have been exacerbated by said heavy rain.

 

[StarSeeker]

Well - I finally found my spare LNB... and behold! Signal!

Yay!

I need to fine tune but it looks like that was it. I was able to snare a signal in no time.

One further question - I'm looking to perhaps mount the dish, which is on the corner of the roof, from the SIDE of the gable. This is because I'm getting a new roof and I'm not sure I want this mount stuck to it in case I make any changes. Are there mounts where I can take the existing pole and make a side-mount? Any links where I might see various options available for different mounting configurations?

Thanks!

 

[randyk47]

Try this site Dish Mount Products . They have some nice manufactured mounting options for a Slimline.