Strange "Searching for Signal" issue

[Wookie]

HI all - I have the H20 receiver and only on a couple of HD channels do I get a delay with the channel being found - specifically NESN and Speed most notably. It can take 30-90sec of seeing the "Searching for Signal" display before the channel connects to a perfect picture. Other channel, regular and HD generally do not have this problem - occasionally on the 200 range HDs do it occur, but never on the locals or 70s channels.

I've reset the box, checked the lines, and same thing. My signals are all over the place - Sat 103 can have one transponder at 0 and the next at 95. Sat 99 is the same. Not sure if it's alignment for the HD birds or what. but the 3 other stats are all pulling 91+ on all transponders.

Any and all thoughts are more than appreciated!

 

[MikeinBaja]

A quick maybe "fix" is to completely remove power from the box (unplug it) wait about 1 minute, then plug it back in and restart. This clears the box "memory" and might help.

If this is a H20-600 you MAY be affected by a recall that is out on some of those boxes. Call DTV and ask about the recall if the power off doesn't fix the problem.

 

[iwc5893]

What are you're signal strengths one each transponder on the 99 and 103 sats?

 

[Wookie]

I took a look and it's an H20-100. So guessing the recall doesn't apply. That said I did unplug, and that seemed to help. Then a day later, had the same issue - but it also affected the HD's in the 200 range - another unplug and that cleared up again, until some storms went by and lost all those HDs - I think it's the ones on the 103 SAT.

Looking at the numbers, 103 sats fluctuate between 0 - 90 depending on transponder. I'll try to look tonight and write down the exact numbers as it should be a clear night.

I'm not on the Slimline if that matters, but that brings another question - can you get Boston locals on the Slimline or do you need a 2nd dish?

 

[iwc5893]

I took a look and it's an H20-100. So guessing the recall doesn't apply. That said I did unplug, and that seemed to help. Then a day later, had the same issue - but it also affected the HD's in the 200 range - another unplug and that cleared up again, until some storms went by and lost all those HDs - I think it's the ones on the 103 SAT.

Looking at the numbers, 103 sats fluctuate between 0 - 90 depending on transponder. I'll try to look tonight and write down the exact numbers as it should be a clear night.

I'm not on the Slimline if that matters, but that brings another question - can you get Boston locals on the Slimline or do you need a 2nd dish?

What type of dish are you using to get the HD channels then? That could be your problem.

 

[Zynergi]

He may have the 3 Sat although not sure how he is getting signals on 99 and 103 from it.

I would be willing to bet he has the older AT9 KA/KU dish and possibly the sidecar is dying.

or could be a Slimline AU9

Questions for ya.


1. Which dish do you have?
2. How far away from the dish is the receiver in question (guess cable length)
3. Post the numbers for 99/103 on both screens
4. In the Settings Menu/HDTV is Native set to on or off
5. (If any) what switch do you have?

 

[spaceghost]

It could be a wide variety of issues. I am not sure about your transponder readings as you didn't specifiy. When you say 103/99, are you looking at the 99(a)(c)/103(a)(c) or the 99(b)(s)/103(b)(s)? (ignore the (b)/(s) readings).

First thoughts is to check your BBC. Make sure its tightly connected. The 70's are coming from the 119, so it seems that is ok. If you're getting any 90's on the 99 and 103, then dish alignment is not an issue. Those channels youare having problems with are on a higher frequency, so those are the first to go if you have any bad component in the system, including cables and fittings.

 

[charper1]

He may have the 3 Sat although not sure how he is getting signals on 99 and 103 from it.

I would be willing to bet he has the older AT9 KA/KU dish and possibly the sidecar is dying.

or could be a Slimline AU9

Questions for ya.


1. Which dish do you have?
2. How far away from the dish is the receiver in question (guess cable length)
3. Post the numbers for 99/103 on both screens
4. In the Settings Menu/HDTV is Native set to on or off
5. (If any) what switch do you have?

It seems by reading that he can't help but have any other dish but the AT9 type.

He already stated he does not have the SlimLine / AU9 and there is no way a Phase III can be installed for his MPEG4 H20 application.

All that said it points to faulty what; maybe LNB, maybe multi-switch, maybe cable or connector? Maybe even the tuner in the receiver?

 

[Wookie]

Sorry - should have specified the dish.

1) it's the AT9
2) cable run is about 80 feet, checked all connections.
3) Taken with cloud cover and showers:
99(a) transponders 1-16; 42, 57, 40, 56, 57, 45, 57, 47, 60, 48, 57, 51, 52, 60
99(b) Transponders 1-24; 0, 71, 0, 88, 40, 86 , n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, 75, 80, 66, 86, 0, 85, 34, 70, 85
103(a) transponders 1-24; 0, 0, 0, 0, 87, 0, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, n/a, 74, 0, 0, 83, 0, 0, 0, 0, 69, 72
10(b) transponder 1-16; 69, 50, 60, 47, 68, 53, 61, 52, 68, 58, 66, 58, 70, 63
4) HDTV Native = ON
5) no switches, jut the 4 lines from the dish- one line run directly to the H20. (also have 2 non-HD boxes with their own lines out of the dish as well, and one open line)

I will add that this had not been an issue until late August/early Sept. Then it seemed to get worse primarially on NESN and Speed. I'm not knowledgable enough of this stuff to tell really what's happening, just that it takes a while for the box to connect on the channel - once it connects it's a great picture - but if i change channel and return to NESN, same thing.. wait to connect.

 

[spaceghost]

Your dish needs to be realligned.

 

[charper1]

Your dish needs to be realligned.

I would say that as well; those readings are pretty low; like about 22 - 30 points low IMHO

 

[texasbrit]

Your 99a and 103b signals should be at least in the 70s, preferably 80s or 90s. Don't worry about 99b and 103a, they are spotbeams directed at different cities and it is normal to get zero or low signals on those.