I have an install with a Samsung SIR-TS160 with a 3 LNB oval dish (internal Multi-switch). The signal level on 101 was 95%, level on 110 was 87%. Problem is NO signal on 119. If this hadn't happened to me before, I would suspect bad gear or impropper allignment. We have 3 others in the field with the same problem as I have found out. All together, 200 miles seperate the installs. Samsung was involved with the other install I personally was involved in, to no avail. They RA'd the receiver that time, same result with new receiver. We relocated the dish 40 feet vertically and 70 feet horizontally. Also changed out the dish and LNB set. Same problem. Anyone had the same problem using the same gear? Any ideas?

Any chance your tilt is off?

Two things here:
I randomly plunked a dish down a couple of weeks ago, went downstairs to look at the meter, and got a real strong 119 signal, but nothing on 101 and 110. After actually seeking the signal out, I got all three birds but 119's signal was not as strong as it had been when I got it alone. I suspect the bird is not placed exactly where the dishes are looking. That is the only explanation I have for not getting 101 and 110 at first.

Second,
You're in Idaho, so the tilt won't be too far off of 90 degrees...maybe somebody forgot to adjust it, and you got a compromised aim on 101 and 110. If that is the case, you should also be able to get a compromised aim on 110 and 119. The tilt needs to make the dish parallel to the line drawn in the sky (the ecliptic) by the sun at the equinox. If the birds are due south, the tilt is 90 degrees; as your location gets further west, the tilt increases; further north, the tilt decreases. Here in southern California, the tilt is 101.9 degrees (just TRY to find that on the scale!) because we are looking almost due southeast and the ecliptic looks tilted in that direction.

I agree with Ernie.A good way to test is to power the meter with the reciever, then goto to signal screen for 119, leave the signal strength for 119 up on the screen then see if you have a signal on the roof. When the signal screen is showing 119 it is sending voltage for that lnb and if you use that to power the meter your reading will be for the 119.

By the way--the 119 is a very low elevation--it's the hardest one to get in terms of line of sight.

Thanks for the replies so far. I just got word from my supplier that Terk had a bad run of LNB heads a while back (I might have a stockpile of them) so I am chasing that lead right now. I checked 2 other recent installs (with same models) this morning and they have signals of 80 and above on all 3 sat feeds. Has anyone else had any problems with the Terk oval 3 LNB dishes regardless of receiver model?

Yes, I have had the same problem just as you described with the Samsung. Replacing the LNB solved the problem. This has only happened to me on 1 unit....so far.....

Yes, there was a recall on them around Christmas.

(never mind)

he he ... yup we had the same prob. here