DTV reception varies

[propster]

One more and then I'm done for the night! I have Direct TV hooked up to 4 receivers/tv's in the house, The last couple months we've had sporadic periods of poor or no reception on 2 or 3 of the tv's. And we try the unplugging power and plug back in and sometimes you don't even get the "Searching for Satellite" signal with the percentage deal. Called DTV and they walked me through a bunch of stuff to no avail. One is almost always good, so I switched that receiver to another that wasn't coming in at all and still nothing. And I should mention that there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason - we've sometimes had the worst reception on the clearest calmest days with no snow, the dish is free of snow and ice, etc. The only thing I can think is that where the main cable comes in the house they run it to what is basically a splitter - 2 in connections (the main cable splits into two) and 4 out connections, with coax going to the 4 receivers. The one that almost always works is the second closest to the splitter, so not sure that is the issue, and they all used to work great for the 3-4 years we've had it. The only other thing I noticed is that this splitter seems to get pretty warm. Can these things wear out and should I try to replace it, or is it likely something else? And can I buy one of these at a Radio Shack or something, or do I have to go to DTV? Thanks guys.

[Jim Almquist]

The thing you are talking about is a multiswitch and is not the same as a splitter. The way to trouble shoot the would be to take the 1 of the inputs and connect it to your receiver and to a tv and see what it looks like. Then hook up the other cable and see if it looks as good and you might want to check the signal strength of your satellite on both. I really don't think that is the problem but think that you may have a LNB (thing that the cables connect to on the dish) that is on the way out or your dish has moved because of a wind gust.While you are trouble shooting try using everything at one location in case you have a bad receiver or 2 that might have been affected by a lighting strike and are just flaky.

[Enids Hubby]

I've had the same problem after I had my satalite dish for a few years. Ends up the cable off of the dish is spliced so they can run a ground wire to it outside . These connectors being outside corrode . take those connectors aparts and look at them . If possible loop the cable under the connectors so the water drips on the cables under these connectors. Multi switches are normally hot.

[propster]

Hubby, are you talking the cable connection at the dish? If so, I ain't goin' way up there for awhile! Di dyou just clean up the connections and she was good to go?

[Jim Almquist]

Propster when the cables come off your dish they might have terminated right outside your house to a connecting block that would also have a ground wire attached there. They should have used waterproof F connectors but don't bet on it. You just need to find where they come into the house and if they used a connecting block. Clean off any corrosion but make sure to unplug all your receivers before you do anything because there is 18 volt for your LNB on the cable.

[Enids Hubby]

Yep just like jimalm said, They Most likely will be in a spot low to the ground to hook up the ground wire , possible to an existing one from elect service . You most likely will have to put new ends on the cables. The big box stores sell ends and crimper tool.

[propster]

I've got no connecting block that is accesible. I was here when he set it up. He was up on the roof of the pole shed, hooked it up and dropped the cable. I dug the trench for the cable to the side of the house, and drilled the hole - he just ran the cable through the hole and into the house, where it is hooked to the multi switch. That's why I thought you were talking about the connections at the dish? It's been good for the last 2 days...and nothing has changed, that I am aware of.

[LakeDocktor]

propster, if you are only having problems with only a couple of the receivers, it is definitely the multiswitch or the cable from the multiswitch to the problem receivers. If it were the connections on the dish or the LNB, none of the receivers would work. Start by taking a receiver that is working and move it to the location where you are having problems. If the problems still exist, you can rule out a bad receiver. If that isn't it, switch the cables to different outputs on your multiswitch. If you still have a problem, then it is probably the cable going from the switch to the receiver. Check the wall plate and even replace it and the fittings at the switch and wall plate. Is it RG6 or 59 cable going to those receivers? This could also cause a problem as the cable may not allow the proper frequencies to pass.

[Matt C]

I had the same issue. Though it was not the splitter, ended up being the dish its self. Wind storm had knocked it ever so loose.

DTV came out and realigned and fixed at no cost.

[propster]

Glad to hear Bunt, though DTV says if it not a bad receiver, they will have to charge me for the technician.

Docktor, the cable is 59. I don't have wall plates - the cable goes directly from the multiswitch to the receiver. I have replaced or checked many of the connections I thought may have been bad by trying them on the one unit that was still working when others may not have been. It's definitely not the receiver, so next time it happens I will try switching outlets on the multiswitch to see if that has an effect. That's the wierd, and frustrating, part - we've had no problem now for 3 or 4 days in a row. So theoretically all connections and cables and the switch are good - as long as they don't come loose they shouldn't be the isuue. Thanks again guys, we'll see what happens.

[delcecchi]

Electronic stuff can go intermittent. It can be a crack in something, a bad solder joint (lots of these around since the lead-free regulations), other stuff.

My cable internet would come and go. Took awhile but finally was pretty solid and they found a little piece of foil in the connector that was shorting out the signal. It had been there for a couple years since they did the installation.