Can't get half my channels

[erod21]

I can't receive half my channels on all three of my receivers. I've checked all my connections. This is what I've discovered so far...

The have two inputs on my multiswitch for the LNB's from my dual LNB Round Satellite. When I swap the coax cables from the satellite from LNB input 1 to LNB input 2 and vice versa, i pick up the channels that I wasn't previously receiving, but don't receive the ones that I was receiving. So I assumed the multiswitch had gone bad, and I ordered a new multiswitch. But the new multiswitch has the same problem. It affects all my receivers, so I know it can't be the individual wiring, and I receive all the channels when I hook each coax to the same LNB input, so how I can get it to receive all the channels AT THE SAME TIME. This problem started 3 weeks ago, and I'm at my wit's end.

Any suggestions? Sorry for the confusing message.

[clancy]

Sounds like a likely LNBF problem. Assuming that you have eliminated the possibility that it is a problem from the coax cables running from the LNBF to the multiswitch.

I am assuming you that are using a 3X4 multiswitch with a single dish multi-plexed into several receivers and not a multi-satellite multi-switch?

A single satellite multi-switch seperates the odd and even frequencies using one side on the LNBF for each one. If one of the sides of your LNBF shorts out or the coax is bad, you will have the problem you describe. So only one of your LNBF outputs is working correctly, which gives you either only the odd or only the even transponders depending on your wiring. When you switch the wires around, you get the opposite as again only one side of your LNBF is working when the switch requires them both to be working.

To confirm this, disconnect the multiswitch from the LNBF's and run a single coax directly from a single receiver into one side of your dual LNBF. If your LNBF is bad one one side, one side will give you all your transponders and the other will give you nothing. If both sides give you all transponders, than its a coax cable issue from the LNBF to the multi-switch.










I can't receive half my channels on all three of my receivers. I've checked all my connections. This is what I've discovered so far...

The have two inputs on my multiswitch for the LNB's from my dual LNB Round Satellite. When I swap the coax cables from the satellite from LNB input 1 to LNB input 2 and vice versa, i pick up the channels that I wasn't previously receiving, but don't receive the ones that I was receiving. So I assumed the multiswitch had gone bad, and I ordered a new multiswitch. But the new multiswitch has the same problem. It affects all my receivers, so I know it can't be the individual wiring, and I receive all the channels when I hook each coax to the same LNB input, so how I can get it to receive all the channels AT THE SAME TIME. This problem started 3 weeks ago, and I'm at my wit's end.

Any suggestions? Sorry for the confusing message.

[Vodoo Priest]

Change the Multiswitch! It's burned!

[erod21]

I have gotten a new multiswitch. Read the original post.

Clancy, thanks for your info. I have my satellite installed at the bottom of my yard, about 70 feet from my house. I traced the cords down towards the satellite and found a connection that had been damaged by water. I spliced the wire, put a new connection, and I now receive MOST channels, but I still have 6 transponders that aren't giving me a signal. I don't get some of the channels I was getting though (such as my locals, and 2 HBO channels).

I'm a novice at this stuff, so if you have any more suggestions I would appreciate it.

[bonzai12]

If you are now getting all but 2 transponders, that eliminates most equipment problems.

Likely you still have a bad piece of coax that is shorting out, water damage, kinked, broken or bad connections. If you had a piece that had water entry into it, many times simply replacing the connector will not resolve the problem as the water can damage a much larger length of the cable. Your only option may be to replace the entire 70 foot length as splicing it outdoors is a bad idea and you will get more water in there in no time.

The only other likely possibility is a dish alignment, especially if you are receiving signals from more than one satellite on the dish. Is it an oval dish or round?

[erod21]

it's round, but the channels i am not getting now i was getting before i spliced, so i think the dish alignment is fine. i'll probably just have to replace the whole cable from the multitap to the dish, i guess.