Additional Information
38 Chapter 4
Troubleshooting
Can’t Pick Up the Satellite Signal
Most problems with signal acquisition can be traced to one of these points: improper cabling and connections or
inaccurate positioning and pointing of the DIRECTV
®
Multi-Satellite dish.
Cabling and Connections Problems
1. Make sure you’re using the proper type of RG-6 coaxial cable to connect the LNB to the grounding block and the
grounding block to the satellite receiver. Standard Cable TV coaxial cables (RG-59) will not pass the satellite signals
properly. Important: Do not connect the RG-6 cable from the dish or grounding block to any existing TV cable
in your house. Do not use conventional TV splitters. They will not pass the satellite signals.
2. Make sure the Access Card is fully inserted into the Access Card slot.
3. Check all cable connections to make sure they are securely fastened to the proper connectors, from the TV, to the
satellite receiver, and all the way out to the dish LNBs. Make sure the coaxial cable connector center conductor is not
bent or broken.
4. Make sure the cable from the dish to the receiver is connected to the SATELLITE IN jack on the back of the receiver
(Not the ANTENNA IN jack).
DIRECTV Multi-Satellite Dish Positioning and Pointing Problems
1. Verify that you are using the correct azimuth and elevation for your city by using the dish pointing menu.
2. Make sure the DIRECTV satellite dish is physically set to the correct coordinates given on the dish pointing menu by
verifying that:
• The DIRECTV satellite dish mast is plumb and level.
• The white indicator on the azimuth clamp (edge of metal, not the washer or the bolt) is aligned to the correct
elevation and that the polarization is set correctly.
3. Use a compass to verify that the center of the antenna is pointed toward the correct azimuth reading (number) as
indicated by the dish pointing menu. Nearby metal objects may cause a compass to give an inaccurate reading.
4. Make sure there are no obstructions (trees, buildings, windows, your body or hands, etc.) that might be blocking the
satellite signal.
5. Slowly rotate the DIRECTV satellite dish left or right (one tick mark at a time) pausing at each for 3–5 seconds until the
on-screen signal meter produces one continuous tone.
6. If you can’t acquire a signal by rotating the DIRECTV satellite dish left and right, readjust the elevation of the dish by:
• Returning the center of the dish to the original azimuth (left-to-right compass direction).
• Loosening the elevation nuts and the pivot bolt on the LNB feed tube and position the DIRECTV satellite dish
upward or downward (one tick mark at a time). When finished, retighten the nut.
Hear a Dialing Sound While Talking on the Phone (If the Satellite Receiver is
Connected to a Phone Line)
Your satellite receiver may be attempting to call the billing center. Under normal conditions, the receiver hangs up any time
it detects what it interprets as a voice on the line. After four unsuccessful attempts to get a dial tone, the receiver is designed
to call out regardless of the status of the line. If you’re using the phone when the receiver calls out, you’ll hear a dialing
sound. Don’t worry; your phone connection will not be interrupted.
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