Can't watch Military Channel (631)

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jwt873

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Whenever I try tune in the Military Channel on 631, I get the error: "Satellite Signal Unavailable, Channel 631, Satellite 82, Transponder 3"

It's been three days since I've been able to watch it. The weather has been clear. ALL the other channels are coming in fine.

I tried the 'Point Dish' utility and there is no signal at all showing for Transponder 3 on 82. (The other transponders on 82 are in the 80% range). I tried a 'Check Switch' on my SW44.. It passes with everything green and OK, but I still can't get transponder 3 on 82.

I'm wondering if Transponder 3 is down on 82.. Or do I have a problem with my dish or switch? ... I can't imagine what would cause only one transponder on one satellite to not work... Can anyone else pick up the Military Channel?
 
Working fine here.

Looks like you need to do a little more troubleshooting......
 
Thanks for checking for me..

I went through all the channels that I know are on 82 and found two more channels (222 and 223) that use transponder 3 and I can't get them either. Fortunately I can get all the Hi Def channels OK..
 
If you are just missing one transponder that could point to the LNBF, or receiver issue.

Do you have multiple receivers.? Try moving another receiver to this location, see if it gets the channels..
 
Thanks for the replies...

Just to report back... I tried a different receiver.. I plugged in my old 5900 and it doesn't lock on transponder 3 on 82 either.. BUT.. (I don't know how I missed this), I checked out all the other transponders and all the odd transponders on 82 are weak in the 55 - 65% range... The even transponders are all solid with none under 80%.

Sooooo.. I guess I'll have to get the old ladder out and check the connections, the LNB and the switch. I'd do it now, but the wind is gusting at 50 km/h :)
 
The wind subsided and I got my ladder out..

I disconnected everything from the SW44. I dug out my old SW21 switch and ran one lead from each LNBF to the SW21, then I connected it to one of the cables running into the house. I plugged the other end of the cable into my old 5900 receiver. Transponder 3 on 82 was now at 75% and all the other odd transponders were much stronger.

I repeated this connecting the other two leads from the LNBFs and using the other cable going in to the house. Transponder 3 was still 75% and all the odd transponders were stronger.

So.. Both outputs of both LNBFs are good and both cables going into the house are good.

I connected everything back up to the SW44. I checked and Transponder 3 was gone again and all the odd transponders were weaker.. It seems the SW44 is faulty.

I'll be calling BEV today to see if it's covered under warranty... It's only a few months old... I installed the dish myself so hope I don't have to argue.
 
Try the connections at the Power Inserter?

Or as you say, looks like the SW44.
 
Late reply, but I had a similar prob with my SW44, and it ended up being (has been fine for a while now knock on wood) the cable between the Power Inserter and Switch. There was a single strand of wire that appeared to be touching the copper core.

I find the SW44's very fussy.
 
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