Can’t setup satellite system, can’t get to satellite signal strength page in menu to eventually connect to satellite

It's possible that the coaxial cable may be causing the issue. In order to make sure that we get the correct cable and save you the trouble of searching for one, we will arrange for one of our expert technicians to handle it for you. I sent you a DM to discuss your preferred date and time. Claudine, DIRECTV Community Specialist

It isn't the coax

kautzdw,

I have a tendency to agree with you. But could it be the cable connector on the HS17? There's only three pieces of equipment involved: HS17, cable and lnb. Cable and lnb (2) are new. HS17 powers up lnb through coaxial cable.  Pretty simple but where's the problem?

Thank you for sharing your insight with us, kautzdw and Gmonken. We want to work on resolving this technical issue and for you to enjoy the service. We have already scheduled a technician appointment on February 1 and will contact you between 8 AM and 12 PM Furthermore, we will post any updates if ever this issue is resolved. Lorie, DIRECTV Community Specialist

Since DTV doesn't service RV unless they are permanently parked it probably a waste of time.  

I assume this appointment will be in the form of a phone call. Thanks

Keep us posted. I hope they can help you figure this out. But I'm doubtful. 

Well guys,

Problem solved, I think???

DTV serviceman was at my house and we kind of solved the problem. Not to my highest satisfaction. But here we go.

I hooked up the HS17 directly to a LNB and used a wireless module (or client) to monitor the situation. We again couldn’t get past the “Recodings” on the menu page with “Settings” above in light grey. The DTV service technician kept switching between menu and arrow back on the remote and every once in a while “Settings” would be available with satellite signal strength page on the right. This would disappear with any movement from the satellite signal strength page. However, I was able to see there was no signal which was obvious because it was laying hooked up on a table and no on a tripod.  That moving back and forth to get the “Settings” was a little sketchy to said the least. But it sometimes worked.

We then hooked it up to a dish that was perpendicular and at that right elevation, azimuth and LNB skew and moved it according his DirecTV meter.  We were able to get the satellites and the whole menu screen came into play to zero in on the highest horizontal green lines (93+) on the satellite signal strength page. I checked out all my LNBs that I couldn’t get to work before and they all worked.

I asked what happened?  And he said that AT&T has now incorporated another signal that comes from the satellite when one is close to being on signal that apparently allows the rest of the settings menu to come into play and be used to zero in on a strong signal.  He said AT&T is trying to discourage us from moving our systems around by making this change.

Well now I can see how my system can work out of my RV with a little more effort.

Sounds a little sketchy, doesn’t it? But it’s the best I can do boys and girls.

Interesting. Thanks for the update. 

We appreciate your feedback and are glad the service already works. Let us know of any service issues in the future. DIRECTV is here for you.

AT&T sold off 30% of DTV so not sure if they have anything to do with it as the new partner is handling the day to day operations. With the MPEG2 shut down all the 101 will be sending is MPEG4 which will cause most RVers to update their equipment or lose their service.

No call and no technician so far.

kautzdw,

l had some encouragement today. I set the system up again with just an lnb and my HS17 on a table and I couldn’t get to the setup menu as usual. I then put the lnb on my tripod with everything plumb and the right elevation and azimuth and still didn’t get the settings menu “at first” but 5-10 minutes later the menu came available.  Still not completely on the satellites but with a little moving around and up and down, I was able to get 94 on the horizontal green line satellite signal strength. DTV came on and everything seemed to work.

So I’m wondering if the technician was right when he said “there’s a pre-signal that the lnb has to see before it opens up the settings menu with the satellite signal strength information.”  Still sounds a little fishy to me but it worked.

So I would go back with your system and sit it up with correct aiming.  Then wait 5-10 minutes for that mysterious signal to start the connection.

Good luck.

Oh I also used a SatFinder Pro app to help in the pointing to the satellite.