Lost History Channel (269)

[Draken]

I'm in the DC area, and I'm unable to get channel 269, The History Channel. This affects both my Tivo receiver and my standard receiver. So far, that is the only channel that is out. Any suggestions? I've contacted DTV, they said my dish was out of alignment and wanted to setup a $70 service call. I find it hard to believe that the alignment would be out if I can get every other channel. No equipment changes recently, and a restart of the Tivo did not help.

Any input greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
James

[John T Smith]

List your transponder numbers and signal strengths

Mine are... (Washington state)

01 86
02 88
03 78
04 0
05 84
06 88
07 79
08 84
09 82
10 86
11 79
12 0
13 92
14 87
15 86
16 90
17 88
18 96
19 81
20 35
21 85
22 86
23 76
24 87
25 86
26 0
27 76
28 95
29 86
30 68
31 80
32 64

[Draken]

Here's what I have (Northern Virginia). Given the number of transponders with a zero reading, I think I'm in worse shape than I thought. Unless someone can assist with the dish alignment, looks like I'll be shelling out for a service call. :mad:

01 0
02 86
03 0
04 0
05 0
06 97
07 0
08 94
09 0
10 87
11 0
12 0
13 0
14 97
15 0
16 94
17 0
18 100
19 0
20 0
21 0
22 96
23 0
24 95
25 0
26 86
27 0
28 0
29 0
30 96
31 0
32 93

Thanks,
James

[kb7oeb]

You have no odd transponders, you might have a bad LNB. I would try unplugging every sattelite box you have to totally remove power from the LNB, it might reset it. If you have a multi-switch it might indicate one leg from the LNB is not getting through or the multi-switch is bad.

I've not had directv in a while so I might be forgetting something

[Draken]

I just went to the basement and disconnected all of the inputs to the multiswitch. Let it set for a minute, then reconnected everything. That did not help. I'll have to do some more troubleshooting tomorrow (its getting late) to see if it is the dish (LNB) or the multiswitch.

Thanks!
James

[JimSpence]

The next step is to bypass the multiswitch to eliminate or prove that it is the problem.

[Draken]

I tried that this morning, using a barrel connector instead of the multiswitch for the input that was bad. Still didn't work. So is it new dish time, new LNB, or faulty/corroded connection at the dish?

Thanks,
James

[JimSpence]

With the barrel connector were the TP readings the same? If so, then it is probably the LNB. Did you try it on both TiVo inputs?

[Draken]

Good suggestion, Jim, I didn't think to look at the readings. I simply went by if the channel showed up or not. I'll try again tonight and look at the TP readings. I'll disconnect the Tivo completely and just try with the single input standard receiver first, then go from there.

Thanks for the help and suggestions!
James

[Brutelee]

Make sure you check the transponders off of all lines coming from the dish.

[Draken]

Ok, did some troubleshooting last night. With one lead from the dish, everything works just fine, all the channels come in, the numbers on the transponders look good. On the other lead, I get nothing, zero for all transponders. So I went up on the roof last night (never realized just how steep my roof is!) and checked the connections. There are two barrel connections up there, and they aren't sealed, and showed some signs of rust (about 6.5 years old). All of the connections were tight, and the cables were still tight in the crimp connections. So I'm thinking it is the LNB that has gone south. Sound about right?

Thanks,
James

[Brutelee]

It is either a bad half of the LNB or the cable connecting to that half. To determine whether it is a bad LNB or a bad cable you need to switch the cables at the dish.

First label the cables in the house:
Good for the one that gets transponders and bad for the other one
next switch the cables at the LNB

If the Good signal switches cables it is a most likely a bad LNB.
If the bad cable is still bad it is most likely that cable is bad

I had a similar problem several years ago, In my case the problem was one of the cables had a corroded center conductor that had broken. It was unable to conduct the 13V or 18V signal that to the LNB. You may be able to tell if it is a bad cable just by looking. In my case the break happened right at the LNB and I just cut off a few inches and put on a new end.

[Draken]

Thanks for the tips Brutelee, looks like I'll be heading back up on the roof this weekend. I didn't think to check the connections at the LNB itself, I just looked at the ones out in the open. How does the LNB attach to the support arm, so I have the right tools with me when I venture onto the roof again.

Thanks,
James

[John T Smith]

Mine attaches with a Phillips #2 screw

[Draken]

I had a similar problem several years ago, In my case the problem was one of the cables had a corroded center conductor that had broken. It was unable to conduct the 13V or 18V signal that to the LNB. You may be able to tell if it is a bad cable just by looking. In my case the break happened right at the LNB and I just cut off a few inches and put on a new end.

This was the problem! One of the center conductors has corroded off. I replaced all four connectors and the grounding block and now I'm back up and running. Thanks for all the help and suggestions! It took less than $10 worth of parts from RadioShack compared to the $70 service call DirecTV wanted.

Thanks!
James