View Full Version : Dishnetwork 811 Receiver Question
mikej2244
07-12-2004, 05:55 PM
I have a Dish 811 and maybe you guys can offer me some help. Sometimes (altough I was told if configured and installed correctly this would never happen) I lose my signal in bad weather. Heavy rain in particular.
I have an antenna connected to the OTA receiver in the 811 and get several local channels in both SD and HD options. I have setup my 811 such that I have a guide with just my local OTA channels on it.
Here is my problem: When I lose the satellite, the 811 goes to "Acquiring Satellite signal" and starts scrolling through the satellites trying to lock on. When that happens I would really like to be able to tell the receiver to stop hunting and just let me view my locals guide and I will just watch the OTA channels until the rain stops. The problem is one it is in the loop trying to find a satellite signal I cannot get it out..I cannot change channels to a OTA channel, I cannot go to the guide and switch to my local OTA guide.
It just keeps cycling and I have to give up and wait for it to reacquire.
Isn't there anyway to tell the 811 that you know the weather is causing problems, stop looking for a satellite and let me use the OTA tuner for awhile???
Thanks in advance.
robnix
07-12-2004, 06:17 PM
I have a Dish 811 and maybe you guys can offer me some help. Sometimes (altough I was told if configured and installed correctly this would never happen) I lose my signal in bad weather. Heavy rain in particular.
I have an antenna connected to the OTA receiver in the 811 and get several local channels in both SD and HD options. I have setup my 811 such that I have a guide with just my local OTA channels on it.
Here is my problem: When I lose the satellite, the 811 goes to "Acquiring Satellite signal" and starts scrolling through the satellites trying to lock on. When that happens I would really like to be able to tell the receiver to stop hunting and just let me view my locals guide and I will just watch the OTA channels until the rain stops. The problem is one it is in the loop trying to find a satellite signal I cannot get it out..I cannot change channels to a OTA channel, I cannot go to the guide and switch to my local OTA guide.
It just keeps cycling and I have to give up and wait for it to reacquire.
Isn't there anyway to tell the 811 that you know the weather is causing problems, stop looking for a satellite and let me use the OTA tuner for awhile???
Thanks in advance.
I sprayed PAM on my sattelite dish, helps with the weather.
It's not a bug, it's a feature...
I would not recommend Pam as she tends to get sticky with time. There may be some waxes or other substances that are better, but usually it's not the stuff on the dish (unless it's snow), it's the amount of stuff in the atmosphere that's blocking the signal.
mfabien
07-13-2004, 06:14 AM
That was reason number ONE I changed from satellite to cable. I rarely had visitors to view special events on my HDTV but when that happens and you lose signal for minutes at a time, not appreciaated at all.
Reason number TWO was to get a DVR now and not at a later date.
Ratman
07-13-2004, 08:10 AM
RainX would probably better.
mikej2244
07-13-2004, 09:55 AM
Thanks for the advice on fattening spreads and car waxes on my dish, but can anyone answer the actual problem I posted?
:headscrat
Ratman
07-13-2004, 10:57 AM
Geez... sorry.
I don't sub to Dish, but I beleive in order for the OTA to work (with Dish only), the receiver has to 'See' the satellite. So, I assume your dish may not be aimed properly and bad weather is enough for you to lose signal completely. Therefore (if I'm correct), no OTA.
bjohn
07-13-2004, 02:57 PM
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=20574&highlight=ota+acquiring
fredinva
07-16-2004, 02:14 AM
Mike,
To answer your original question -
you were wrongly advised. Even it 'configured and installed' correctly(with the best signal possible), you may/will still lose signal if the cloud is black enough and the rain is a monsoon. That goes for ANY li'l dish!
Ratman,
Nope. The sat signal could be totally gone in a bad storm, dish 'no see sat' , but the locals will/may still come in fine ota.
Mike,
Your problem is the SDSP "Standard Dish Software Problem.
When I'm watching ota for any length of time and press guide -
I get Acquiring Sat Signal, Progress 1 of 5, etc.,,,,,,,,,
then my guide downloads again.
Other than that it's great.
fred
swimrick52
07-18-2004, 04:22 PM
And of course, weather never affects Cable reception?
I have the DISH 811 (my locals are not routed thru 811) and Cable (for Internet Access). My Cable has gone out more times than my DISH has lost signal. And we have recently had some wet (and intense) weather in DFW area.
Ratman
07-18-2004, 05:18 PM
Installed properly, it shouldn't.
If it's underground, the conduit may be flooded.
If it's above-ground, it could be water 'wicking' into the the cable (I.E. no drip loops :) ).
Either way... weather should not affect your reception from the head-end to your home. Call your cable provider.
BTW... they are responsible to reimburse you when there are outages.
