Hi

We have a VERY old DirecTV dual dish,around 10 years old (our account # is only 6 digits long!). The dish/LNB are covered with a GoreTex bag.We have 3 receivers which range from 5-8 years old,using a powered RCA multi-plex switcher. After a relatively minor dusting of icy snow,which left a TINY bit of ice on the dish/bag,we have had the worst time maintaining a signal....in clear,although slightly windy weather.

The symptoms?

1. Very intermittant signal response on even transponders...making for patchy reception

2. big difficulty resetting the receiver units - sometimes they go through the proper restart sequence..sometimes not...

we have noticed lately that there have been more outages in windy weather...

we do believe we MIGHT have a tree growth problem with a tall tree directly in line....maybe...10 years is a long time...would this be the problem? or perhaps the multplexer might be worn out?

has anyone ever figured out what the lifespan of some of this equipment might be???

our REAL problem is that we are currently doing the HD debate,as far as do we want to continue with DTV,or perhaps switch back to cable,so we REALLY do not want to invest too much if possible.....


thanks in advance!

You should be able to tell if it's a tree issue by looking.

It sounds more like you need a dish re-aiming.

When you have problems is the problem that the signal is low or is it gone entirely?

If it is gone entirely and you have good signals on 13 volt odd transopnders, then it is a hardware issue, such as connectors, multiswitch, etc.. If instead it is low then you maybe right about the tree issue.

You hit the nail on the head Dave - the even transponders show ZERO on the meter,with the odds hitting high 80's/low 90's during these 'evnts'- our 'normal' signal strength on the evens is usually MID 90's..and we have hit 100 on occasion!

Thanks greatly for the advice....

So since it has been determined that it is a hardware issue check all the outdoor connectors for corrosion. Check the lightning arrestors on the side of the house and there could be a test point up on the roof near the dish.

Do you have more than one receiver. Check to see if this problem is ocurring on other receivers. By doing this you can narrow down the connectors and parts that could be causing you the problem.

Hope this helps,

Dave T

happens on all three receivers, so I kind of already got it down to either in the dish connection,the line to the multiplexer,or the multiplexer itself....like I said,how long should any of this gear last anyways? The splitter has been powered 24/7/365 for 8 years...we've burned through one set of receivers, so this is why we do not want to invest TOO much in service calls,etc; we will be deciding the HDTV thing in the next few months....and it looks like we should wait a bit for DTV-HD anyways if some of the threads here have it correct!

You might want to consider getting the protection plan from DirecTV. I think that this about $6.00 per month. It will give you some protection. Granted you will probly know more than the the idiots that they will send out but at least you can point them in the right direction.

The most important factor is that DirecTV is lowering the prices on their receivers but they are looking for commitments for up to two years. If you are not willing to make that committment then the program protection maybe of interest. Check to see if there is a commitment if they have to replace defective receivers.

Hope this helps,

Dave T