Beef w/ satellite TV installer

[SnowRidge]

I had DirecTV several years ago and I installed it myself. But this was with the pizza sized dish. My understanding is aiming the dish these days, with multiple satellites, HD signals, not to mention Internet access, it's not as simple as it used to be.

We look at three sats. It's not that hard to align. I did it just once almost five years ago, using only the on-screen signal strength meter, and it hasn't required any attention yet. A modicum of common sense is all that is required.

The Internet dishes, which both receive and transmit, are another matter. FCC regs require the installer to have a special license, which makes self installs by unlicensed individuals illegal.

 

[jdbower]

As a word of advice, if you live in an area with deciduous trees nearby don't get the dish installed in the late fall or winter. I had my dish installed in November and it worked great, then spring came along, the leaves grew in and I lost my HD stations! Now I'm getting them back, but come spring I'll probably switch to Verizon's FiOS TV instead to avoid the problem (and clean up the dish).

I've also found an extension cord, the dish receiver, and a portable TV are the best installation tools. I bought a signal strength meter and with multiple satellites it was useless since I could gain reception on one bird and lose it on another without noticing.

 

[SnowRidge]

I've also found an extension cord, the dish receiver, and a portable TV are the best installation tools. I bought a signal strength meter and with multiple satellites it was useless since I could gain reception on one bird and lose it on another without noticing.

You can substitute a wife or girlfriend with a decent set of lungs (watch it!! ) for the extension cord and save some money -- or not depending on how you ......

Never mind. I'm gonna get in trouble here. Better quit while I'm behind

 

[RonMar]

The latest ones for HD from Direct have 5LNB's on the dish. The Skew angle is critical for the alignment. The mount comes with additional struts to support it and limit movement on the mount upright. Any wobble in the mount pole can really mess with the signal level on the outer LNB's They are easy enough to align with a meter. You line up the center LNB for best signal then you adjust the skew to peak/balance the signal levels on the outer LNB's. A little more complicated using the TV levelmeter, but doable I think.

 

[CDsdad]

What RonMar said. I had DirecTV installed 10 days ago. The new dish was a monster and had 2 stabilizer bars. The old DishNetwork deal looked like a pie plate compared to the new one. My cousin's old man installed it. He works for a bunch that's contracted to DirecTV to install. He said the FCC?, or somesuch govt. plundering agency, required him to have a license or some training to install. Training can't be hard, he's nice, but ain't got sense God gave a shiny brown rock. I can watch HD TV though.

As far as the cut trees, I was very polite when I had Dish cut off and they threw out the bill I owed (I know I was probly paying a month ahead). Then of course they sent 15 letters in the past week wanting me back. I told them it was coming though.
So being nice may help, or threatening to cut them off if not.

 

[hawghead]

jmc,
I just installed a DirectTv system, myself yesterday. I went through the same hassles of installers. First guy came out, said could not get line of sight, was their for 10 minutes max, he left. I did some research and installed a pole to clear the trees, Called again, next appointment was 4 weeks out, said ok, install day came waited around house all day, installer never showed up, called company they said next available time is another 4 weeks,said ok. (well actually wife called, because I just alittle mad) Went on line found a store call Solid Signal, Bought Dish and reciever, delivered to house in 3 days. All brand new directtv items. Installed & watching TV yesterday.
They gave me a little grief about installing myself, the only thing they said was not buy stuff off ebay - the recievers could have outstanding bills from the previous person, and you would have to pay for those charges before they would activate the reciever.
The dish box gives instructions on how to install, and once you hook the reciever to the TV it gives step by step instructions on the TV with Signal meters. Now the only disadvantage to doing it yourself is that you have to buy all the equipment yourself, instead of getting it free if you have them install. I am buy no means an expert at this, but if you have questions let me know.

 

[coffeeman]

I had 2 receivers installed by the "pros" from the dish company. The controler for one signel on one of my duel receivers never worked right from the start. Also, phone lines were to be hooked to both of the receivers. If not hooked up there is an additional charge of $5 for each, a total of $10 per month.

The company installer didn't hook things up right and I have been charged for 4 months for no phone line hooked up. i have talked to the company and they indicate it's my fault that their installer did it wrong. They are still billing me for $40 extra dollars and I guess I will have to pay it because they are stacking late charges because I pay the bill except for the 40 they owe me. How do you win??

Cheers...Coffeeman

 

[jmc]

Hello All,

I'm the original poster for this thread and thought some of you might be interested in the way my claim came out. Recall that the problem was their installer said I had a bunch of trees that were blocking the signal when, in fact, he had assumed the wrong direction for the satellite location. One large tree, four smaller trees, and about 8 hrs of hard cleanup were completely wasted.

Ever try to get written damage estimates after the fact when the contractor won't make any money for his time? Can't blame them. One contractor did submit a quote for his minimum 4 hrs for a loader and a ground guy with a chainsaw: $440. A local logger valued the log at $220 and I paid him $20 for his appraisal. So the whole claim was $680. I submitted the claim with a polite letter, gently pointed out that I would not claim damages for stump removal and collateral damage if we can handle the settlement informally.

The subcontractor's supervisor came out to look at the setup and just shook his head. They are going to pay the $680 as soon as they receive my signed release. No weasel, no quibble, no nothing. I was impressed.

If someone offer me that amount of money to cut all those trees down and clean it up, I'd decline. I'd rather have the trees and the time back. But as an old lawyer once said, "You know you have a fair deal when both parties feel screwed just a little bit." That's probably what we have here.

Thanks for your input.

John

 

[Soundguy]

I like that saying.. it's got a little truth in it..

soundguy