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Troubleshooting the Dish Aiming Process
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to Technical Support]
If you don't get a signal, here are
the problems in order of popularity:
a. Dish is not level (no amount of
faking will work here) You must level the mast BEFORE placing the dish on the mast.
b. Cabling is compromised somehow by a
splice, signal splitter or bad connector
c. Aiming at wrong place because of
lack of compass (should have purchased an install kit)
d. A tree or roof overhang is blocking
the path (dish receives signal from a higher angle than you think)
e. Satellite receiver's on-screen menu
settings are incorrect (see above hints)
f. No voltage from the receiver
through the cable leading to the dish (may be checked, see below)
g. LNBF is bad (may have been dropped
creating shock-loss)
h. Dish is assembled incorrectly
*-Checking voltage- A voltmeter is
$6-$10 for a low-end unit at Home Depot or Lowes. Unscrew the cable from the LNB. Take
one lead (black) and hold it against the outside of the cable connector. Take the other
lead (red) and touch it against the center wire of the cable. Make sure these leads do
not touch each other, as it will ground out your circuit. (Make sure the voltmeter is
turned two clicks to the left from the off position. There should be a reading of 13V or
18V. If so, the receiver is sending voltage and the unit is probably OK. If you can't
find the voltage, try all of the voltmeter settings before giving up. Your voltmeter may
be set up differently. If you ever see 13V or 18V, your voltage is OK.
After checking all of these items, you
might need to consider a professional installer. *Suggestion- Finish the installation of
your satellite system. Tidy up before the installer comes, as he is likely to charge you
only for a service call if he thinks that most of the work has been done. We can refer
you to an installer in your area should you need one. E-mail us at technical@americansatellitedistributors.com
to make a request for a local installer.
If at any time, the installer or
yourself determines that the receiver or LNBF is faulty, send an e-mail to technical
support and tell them you would like a replacement and detail your findings. Our
technician will issue you an RMA (return merchandise authorization). All returns must be
accompanied by an RMA in the box and written on the outside of the packing. Send the item
to us in its original box. Make sure to track it, either with UPS, FEDEX or US Post
Office. Send another e-mail to
technical@americansatellitedistributors.com stating the cost of the shipping. If our
bench test determines that the unit is faulty, you will not be charged for shipping of the
replacement. Should our bench test determine that the unit is functional, your shipping
charges will not be eligible for refund. A charge of $15 plus shipping costs will be
assessed for all items that are found functional and then returned to the customer
If you return an item that is not
faulty you will possibly be charged a restocking fee if the item is not in perfect
condition.
Thanks for your patronage. Happy
channel surfing!
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