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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: John/Pat on April 30, 2021, 08:44:00 pm

Title: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: John/Pat on April 30, 2021, 08:44:00 pm
I had MOT in stall direct tv and satellite in 2013 and I am having a hard time receiving any tv. I had AT&T tech along with a new(used receiver) but still no tv. Does the cable from dish need replaced after so many years? My display shows all 3 satellite are locked in but no tv. AT&T suggested restart, hard start, and having the signal refreshed; but still no tv.
I believe the new (used) receiver is junk because my old receiver worked fine until I got "too hot error", spending hours with Direct tv support is as much fun as getting shot at in Vietnam.
Could anyone tell me the procedure to use the batman antenna? I tried using the connection in wet bay at the camp ground 1x without any success, I need help. Thank you John
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: John/Pat on April 30, 2021, 08:46:20 pm
I had MOT in stall direct tv and satellite in 2013 and I am having a hard time receiving any tv. I had AT&T tech along with a new(used receiver) but still no tv. Does the cable from dish need replaced after so many years? My display shows all 3 satellite are locked in but no tv. AT&T suggested restart, hard start, and having the signal refreshed; but still no tv.
I believe the new (used) receiver is junk because my old receiver worked fine until I got "too hot error", spending hours with Direct tv support is as much fun as getting shot at in Vietnam.
Could anyone tell me the procedure to use the batman antenna? I tried using the connection in wet bay at the camp ground 1x without any success, I need help. Thank you John
John Madden," The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer."
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: gracerace on April 30, 2021, 09:02:44 pm
I had MOT in stall direct tv and satellite in 2013 and I am having a hard time receiving any tv. I had AT&T tech along with a new(used receiver) but still no tv. Does the cable from dish need replaced after so many years? My display shows all 3 satellite are locked in but no tv. AT&T suggested restart, hard start, and having the signal refreshed; but still no tv.
I believe the new (used) receiver is junk because my old receiver worked fine until I got "too hot error", spending hours with Direct tv support is as much fun as getting shot at in Vietnam.
Could anyone tell me the procedure to use the batman antenna? I tried using the connection in wet bay at the camp ground 1x without any success, I need help. Thank you John

The Winegard will work, with no receiver hooked to it. Hence, when you see the the Winegard controler saying it's locked to all 3 satellites, that say's the dish is fine. You have signal.
You have an issue from the dish to your receiver (or the receiver). There is a power inserter somewhere along the coax to the dish. Is it powered up? There is a little light on it.Little black box that plugs into 120 volts. Coax in, and out to dish.They do go bad.
As for cable TV, TV needs to be ran through scan.TV needs to be in cable mode. Not antena mode. You also need to have the batwing power OFF.
I would get a local DTV satellite guy out.Your problem is not the Winegard.
You should have on screen DTV menus, even if the receiver is bad, or there is an issue with the coax from dish.
Chris
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: Jan & Richard on April 30, 2021, 09:04:36 pm
John,

The only solution I see is that you are going to have to spend some quality digging around in the back of the overhead cabinets up front.  After 22 years and probably several owners it is liable to be a tangled mess up there. 

The first action is probably to get a coax to run directly from the dish or bat wing to the receiver or TV just to determine what works and what doesn't.  Then it is a matter of tracing wires and getting rid of extraneous ones hidden in the cabinets.

Richard

Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: Twig on April 30, 2021, 09:33:28 pm
Most likely it's the switch that selects "VCR, Cable, Antenna". Has to be set to "Cable" unless you are seeing some kind of signal on the TV already such as sats locked on. At least, mine did.
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: gracerace on May 01, 2021, 09:11:36 am
John,

The only solution I see is that you are going to have to spend some quality digging around in the back of the overhead cabinets up front.  After 22 years and probably several owners it is liable to be a tangled mess up there. 

The first action is probably to get a coax to run directly from the dish or bat wing to the receiver or TV just to determine what works and what doesn't.  Then it is a matter of tracing wires and getting rid of extraneous ones hidden in the cabinets.

Richard


Cable from dish to receiver is a good idea, but there is a power inserter that needs to be in the coax line.
Chris
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: nitehawk on May 01, 2021, 09:44:53 am
Just a thought of something so simple that it is often overlooked.
We had a fellow RVer at the Potter's Creek CG in TX who had a GMC--beautifully restored-- and he said he wasn't able to get reception on his TV...Period!
I suggested he try reconnecting everything and double check all the ends of the coax. He found out that the wire sticking out of the end connector was bent and not going into the mating receiver. Bent the center wire straight and now TV reception after seven years!
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: John/Pat on May 01, 2021, 04:03:24 pm
Thank you for all your suggestions. I will start check and let you know what I found.
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: folivier on May 01, 2021, 05:04:35 pm
These come in handy to find coax wire problems:
Jonard PT-300 Pocket Continuity Tester and Toner, 5" Length: Network And... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006962KFW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: Bob & Sue on May 01, 2021, 05:16:19 pm
After spending 10+ years in the cable Tv business I can tell you the badly done cable ends can can cause huge frustrating issues. 

So NEVER go cheap on coax tv cable,
the installers use high quality line for good reason. They don't want to go back.  But you don't need to go overboard either.  The pretty gold ones aren't necessary.
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: gracerace on May 01, 2021, 06:01:28 pm
After spending 10+ years in the cable Tv business I can tell you the badly done cable ends can can cause huge frustrating issues. 

So NEVER go cheap on coax tv cable,
the installers use high quality line for good reason. They don't want to go back.  But you don't need to go overboard either.  The pretty gold ones aren't necessary.

Bob
I can't tell you how many new homes I went into to install Satellite TV, and they had screw on coax ends. They were always messed up. They are only good for temporary repairs, and poor at that.

And also, coax daisy chained outlet to outlet (even saw speaker wires daisy chained!).....But then, I'm probably preaching at the choir with you. :D
Chris
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: gracerace on May 01, 2021, 06:04:00 pm
These come in handy to find coax wire problems:
Jonard PT-300 Pocket Continuity Tester and Toner, 5" Length: Network And... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006962KFW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Another trick is stripe back a coax cable, and pinch the center wire and shield together. Use a barrel if necessary to connect it up, then use an ohm meter on the other end of the coax.
Chris
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: Bob Thomas on May 03, 2021, 02:09:30 pm
If after checking the cables/receiver and you still have not resolved the DirectTV reception issue, you might have to try the last resort method. I was very dissatisfied with the lack of care and service from DirectTV to fix my receiver issue. I called Winegard and bought the parts to convert my Traveler to Dish Network.  I called a local Dish dealer who removed the DirectTV crap and installed the Dish stuff.  Cost about $250 for the conversion.  ... Great Sat TV.  I've had Dish for 14 months and always helpful service when needed.
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: John/Pat on May 03, 2021, 03:26:02 pm
I think the whole problem with direct tv is AT&T paid too much to buy it and now are in process of selling it. Too many times companies buy another company that they have no idea about what it takes to make it successful. And in 2020 Direct tv lost 2 million customers. It looks to me as the company is going south and AT&T is not  committed  to the customer or the company. Maybe it is time for me to bale and go to dish.
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on May 03, 2021, 04:02:57 pm
I got rid of all the old RG59 and went to RG6 from the antenna down to the front where the old TV was. RG6 is the ticket for satellites. Then for the rear, HDMI through the belly back to the TVs. The attached photo is 60 miles from Sacramento and with a big hill in the way of all the stations. I have since added a single UHF piece to the antenna to boost the UHF. Station locator app works great also.

Guide for recommended cables: Which is better, RG59, RG6 or RG11 cable? - The Solid Signal Blog (https://blog.solidsignal.com/tutorials/better-rg59-rg6-rg11-cable/)

Pierce
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: gracerace on May 04, 2021, 09:25:43 am
I have tried all OTA's on our coach as a head replacement.

The "Jack" was right up there in performance, but the Winegard RZ-5000 Rayzar beat them all.

Put one on my house also.

Unfortunately Winegard quit making them, but you can change out the whole ant. to the Winegard Rayzar 6000. Installs nice on a FT, and stops the rattle.

Amazon.com: Winegard RZ-6000 Rayzar z1 RV TV Antenna (HD, Digital, 4K Ready,... (https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-RZ-6000-Rayzar-Antenna-Digital/dp/B01B9K5SII/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Winegard+RZ-6000+Rayzar&qid=1620134676&sr=8-1)

Chris
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on May 04, 2021, 10:23:03 am
The Rayzar looks good. We had a Bat and then a Jack but only received 6 stations. The new one gets 33 stations as you can see on the screen. Does not seem to make any noise while driving. Because of the solar panels, I had to run all of them across the roof so nothing has changed with the latest antenna.

I did get rid the the amplifier in the rear and the switch above the driver's head plus the new RG6 so that may be part of it. I do have a small amplifier for the antenna only.

Pierce
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: turbojack on May 04, 2021, 07:17:38 pm
Are you getting any picture from your directv receiver on your TV?  If so what is the message.  It could that your new receiver needs to know the correct type of antenna it has.
Title: Re: Direct tv and winegard satellite
Post by: Barry & Cindy on May 05, 2021, 06:15:52 pm
Is your roof antenna Winegard and what model do you think it is? If you only have a single coax from roof antenna, buy a new cable, temporarily connect to roof and through a window to Directv receiver to bypass everything.

But you could have 4 cables from roof to a SWM8 module, which has a single cable to Receiver. Also as others have said you could have a coax power inserter. Both SWM8 & inserter need to be powered to work. Then there is the cable from Directv receiver to TV. All these need to be connected. Where do you think the problem is?