On Monday I am having a HMC installed, 34 + HD Receiver, and was wondering if they will be able to use my existing DISH cables that were run, or if they will want to drill new holes, etc? I currently have the 722k from DISH. Thanks.
Using DISH install Coax Cables for DirecTV
- Thread starter trevorjd
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Does DirecTV no longer require solid copper? I had mine installed back in 1/2008 and at that time they used solid copper core cable. I do not think that Dish ever used this (although they could have), if Dish didn't use it, and DirecTV still requires it for optimal performance, then you might have to have the cabling replaced. Otherwise, if it is already ran and in good condition they should be fine. I am sure they are RG-6 if they were installed by Dish as RG-6 is pretty well a requirement for good performance with DBS.
My experience has been that the Directv is pretty bullet proof. The RG59 is old but could be ok if it is not damaged. The wise installer keeps a bag of Rg59 fittings in his truck to utilize the 59 if it is run in a difficult to reach spot. They test cable in 1000 ft runs and RG59 looes a small amount of signal below freezing so cable companies switched. It will work fine with Directv interior cable runs. DISH has always required better cable and the switch from Dish to Directv is a reward for the good tech because it is so EZ. DISH equipment will hum and show other problems with crappy cable so using 59 with DISH could burn ya.
The way it works......the DISH cable or Rg59 will be fine with Directv. If any defect is noted by their QC people somebody will be out at the installers expense to rip stuff out until everything is good. I would insist on recutting all fittings that are installed outdoors and inspect for tightness all indoor fittings.
RE the copper......when Directv was specifying copper for their contractors thye were not paying for it.........now that they are doing the installations in house and pay for materials anything will do but they select copper for new work.
Joe
OK,
I got the advice from another source..........for the same reason..............for a SWM installation DO use 3 gig (SC) cable from the dish to the GB and or splitter. I think the whole issue with the cable is that since there is not enough money being offered for installations any cost saving helps. I think most craftsmen would go along with a true technical reason for an application. I just see a lot of overspecification because it protects the designer / owner and they are not paying for it.
Good point!
Joe
Most if not all cabling used by both satcos is 3ghz sweep tested. Which means you are good to go. The problem arises where the tech may be required to install new cabling because whichever company he works for requires he use only "approved" cable.
Remember..It is YOUR house. If the existing cabling is of good quality, tell the tech to connect the new system to the existing lines. You then tell him that if Directv calls wanting to make an appointment to do a quality control inspection, you tell them your work schedule will not allow it and to not call your home again on this matter. This covers you( no new holes and one very pissed off tech) and the tech himself because if you keep the inspectors at bay, the tech won't get dinged for using "unapproved" cabling.
Once again. It is YOUR home. YOU make the call. Not the satellite company.
dishcomm said:
Until he as an issue and still refuses to let the cable replaced. Then he's on a list of no calls do no matter what his issue is if he don't let the company bring it up to their specs he's SOL and could have nothing but a miserable 2 year contract. Trust me, I see it happen a lot and the issue is the cable but the sub refuses to let us replace it so Directv refuses to set up a service call since they can't fix the issue.
Prett much if it is good cable it will work. Even RG-59 although I try to replace when I run into it.
I have a customer that has a prewired house. I know for a fact that the bedroom and living room are RG-59 and there is a splitter in the wall connecting them. THe basement is finished and there is no good way to replace the cables. We gave it a shot to see if it would work. 6 months and they have never had a problem. I know they have not called Directv to have cables changed as I am their neighbor, they would call me first.
The biggest problem I see with SWM is open ports. If there is an open port on the spliter, or a cable run that is not capped, it will cause all sorts of intermtent problems. What I see from in house installers is the first thing they do is change out the cable. That seems to slove the problem for a couple days (why I don't know) but then the system will act up again. I go out find the open port, and the system works great after that.
I have a customer that has a prewired house. I know for a fact that the bedroom and living room are RG-59 and there is a splitter in the wall connecting them. THe basement is finished and there is no good way to replace the cables. We gave it a shot to see if it would work. 6 months and they have never had a problem. I know they have not called Directv to have cables changed as I am their neighbor, they would call me first.
The biggest problem I see with SWM is open ports. If there is an open port on the spliter, or a cable run that is not capped, it will cause all sorts of intermtent problems. What I see from in house installers is the first thing they do is change out the cable. That seems to slove the problem for a couple days (why I don't know) but then the system will act up again. I go out find the open port, and the system works great after that.
My installer is here right now, using all existing cables without a problem...great stuff.
Although he did start out the visit with "Bad news, I don't have your HR34 with me...."
".....BUT I have a guy bringing another from a different city."
Was on the 8-12 appointment schedule, showed up at 11:50...oh well. Happy to be getting a new toy.
Although he did start out the visit with "Bad news, I don't have your HR34 with me...."
".....BUT I have a guy bringing another from a different city."
Was on the 8-12 appointment schedule, showed up at 11:50...oh well. Happy to be getting a new toy.
Solid copper is only critical between the power supply and the SWM Dish/Switch. Copper clad steel has much more electrical resistance causing more stress and therefore more power supply failures.
That is a good one to add to the bag of tricks!................It is difficult to sort true tech notes from BS tech notes. The SWM/dish to GB should be SC RG...ok by me............EZ cost to factor.
Joe
A cable guy friend of mine gave me a spool of Commscope RQ6-QS cable. I'm pretty certain it's copper clad steel. Anyway I ran a bunch of this and it works. I also have two original RG-59 runs circa 1979. They work fine too, even MRV.
The only thing directv provided cable wise is the line from the dish to the 8 way green splitter, and he made jumpers to go from the wall plates to the receivers. He also put the PPC fittings on most of the lines (I put new PPC fittings on the RG59 drops - cutting off the crap crimp connectors).
The only issue I have is if it rains really hard the HD goes out. SD is more resilient.
The only thing directv provided cable wise is the line from the dish to the 8 way green splitter, and he made jumpers to go from the wall plates to the receivers. He also put the PPC fittings on most of the lines (I put new PPC fittings on the RG59 drops - cutting off the crap crimp connectors).
The only issue I have is if it rains really hard the HD goes out. SD is more resilient.
That you will have to live with..............the fix is a very well pointed dish with high 90 signal from the 99 & 103 Sats. Beyond that no amount of cable improvements will do much.
Joe
You should use Sollid copper between the SWM PI21 or SWM PI29 and the dish. THe power supply is trying to provide 2amps of power using this RG6 with copper clad steel you will find that the Power supply runs hotter, and works over a much shorter run of cable.
Joe Diamond said:
Yeah I figured. The rain fade margins on Ka is not as good as Ku.
I have some low to mid 90's on some HD. Like 90-95.
Directv is still able to point to an outage level that is less that all cable systems. Even in places like FL with daily rains or WA with constant overhead clouds........the sats work more often that the CATV systems. Both are up most of the time. It is well known that the sat system goes down when the kids are home from school because of the weather. The other possibility is the system is down because a twister has removed the house or RV and the TV is in another state...take cover...forget you show!
Joe
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