no line of sight or just a lazy tech?

You can perform your own site survey using the aerial mapping tools at http://www.dishpointer.com

Enter your address and check the line of sight to each of the key DirecTV satellites .... 99 and 103º for the HD channels and 101ºW for your SD channels.  

i did this- the little red balloon pops up with an obstruction.i'm pretty sure the dish can be tilted/moved to accomodate the needed satellites-like my neighbors.the tech just seemed like he did'nt want to be bothered-complaining about not getting paid, the cold, etc.

btw- this dude even told me that to get HD we have to be able to pull in 15 satellites. i thought it was only 3-5 max. which is it?

Sounds like he really didn't know what he was talking about.  There are two orbital locations that beam the HD channels .... 99 and 103ºW.  Call again and escalate your request for a more experienced installer.  The 99 and 103º satellites are only a few degrees in the sky on either side of where your current dish is aimed, so it shouldn't be that hard. 

thank you for your help! i really wish that directv would weed out guys like this who don't care to work or want to work and will tell customers  lies to get out of doing the job.i'm really getting fed up. i'm waiting for another tech to come out after directv called me YESTERDAY morning to say they'd be here today.

DTV requires a 10 degree clearance to the left to the right and below where the satellites come in.We're told to allow for 2 years worth of tree growth so if its even close we arent supposed to do it.In our shop,if we put one in thats close and next spring the dish has to be relocated due to trees,the tech gets written up.

i called my nephew in florida and told him what happened to me.he basically told me the same things others have told-there's no reason i should'nt have HD. my nephew would know, he's installed quite a few dishes. i was thinking of just springing for the dish myself and having him install it. how tough could that be? could directv provide the receivers for me if i do this?i'm tired of the runaround with the techs.

doubt dtv would send you receivers on a new install.they would on an upgrade to existing service.Call Directv and demand a second opinion .most likely it will get installed if as you say you are wide open there.theres a MASTEC office right there in Greenville off 85.insist they send a supervisor out to verify LOS

we are trying to upgrade our system from SD to HD.why are they making something so flippin' difficult? all i want is a little HD.

UPDATE: we have a second opinion coming tuesday morning. wish me luck-i'll know i'll need it.hopefully this will be the end of a frustrating struggle.i specifically asked for someone more experienced than the first guy they sent.

looking out for a positive outcome....

so what was the verdict?

the tech came out and gave us great news-perfect line of sight! we should have install by the end of the week! YES!!!!

Good to hear.  Keep us posted. 

WHAT THE ???  i just don't get it! i've had to run around in circles to get confirmation of line of sight-from 2 techs no less- i get hte joy of having to call directv back to schedule yet ANOTHER installation call only to be told that i have to pay money upfront for the upgrade!  the first time out i was given a deal  where i didn't have to pay upfront since i've been a longtime subscriber. why can't they honor the original deal? i asked this of the "customer service rep" i talked with.he said no. i asked to talk to a supervisor. they then came back with a "deal" of 19.99-payable upfront with a charge card!this is NUTS!