Satellite only works connected directly to DVR

I had one of the connectors go bad once. I have a 3' length of coax permanently attached to my satellite input (in the back of the elecrical bay) and use a connector to hook it to the coax going to the antenna. After a few years, it quit working. I tracked it down to the connector going bad. I replaced the connector, and it started working fine again.

RoyB wrote:
Remove the RG connection from the SAt DISH and measure from pin to ground using a mulitmeter- Should read a DC CONTROL VOLTAGE feeding the SAT DISH. Trace back towards your equipment and pull connections and look to see where the DC CONTROL VOLTAGE is present.

Roy Ken

Will do! Unfortunately, multimeter bit the dust and new one on order! In the meantime, I am running coax through bedroom window from satellite to DVR. Thank you.

Stranger wrote:

I have changed nothing. That cable coax was replaced last year. Yes, I changed the coax connections within the camper as well.

YMMV

My bad. I meant I have not changed any of the connections since the satellite last worked, and it has worked that way for 2 years.

I could never get the SAT OUTSIDE connection to work for me.

It goes thru a splitter and does not pass DC. Without DC coming from the SAT RCVR the SAT Dish LNB doesn't work.

I always ran two RG cables from my two port LNB on my portable SAT dish tripod into the trailer thru the pass thru storage area with one RG cable going to the front SAT RCVR ANT INPUT and the other RG Cable going to rear SAT RCVR ANT Input. Then I used the VIDEO OUTPUT from the SAT RCVRs to feed the TV's video inputs.

I'm sure it is all different now with newer stuff... We quit bringing along all of the SAT RCVR stuff from home when the PUBLIC BROADCAST TV went digital. We now use the OTA BATWING Antenna to pick up the public BROADCAST digital TV from the local towns...

Since your setup worked before you must not be making good connections to where ever your DC CONTROL VOLTAGE is coming from. Maybe your splitter doesn't pass DC?

Remove the RG connection from the SAt DISH and measure from pin to ground using a mulitmeter- Should read a DC CONTROL VOLTAGE feeding the SAT DISH. Trace back towards your equipment and pull connections and look to see where the DC CONTROL VOLTAGE is present.

Roy Ken

Both connectors will conduct electricity. The difference between the white and blue is, the blue will carry a higher frequency signal.

Bruce

Never heard that about connectors before. I've seen the blue connectors. Are they just more moisture proof?

Just read more about the blue insert RG6 connector. More moisture proof. A little pricey but worth it if there is a moisture problem

chalet05 wrote:

I have changed nothing.I have changed nothing. I connect the satellite to the port on the outside of the camper. Inside the camper the coax is connected to the port on the wall and then to the in port on the DVR, and the out port is connected to the TV. Somewhere between the outside and the DVR, there is an issue.

Bad coax would make sense. However, I tried changing so satellite was hooked up to what is normally the 'cable' port and had the same results of no satellite found. That cable coax was replaced last year. Yes, I changed the coax connections within the camper as well.

I just wondered if there was some possiblity other than bad coax - not looking forward to going through that hassle again.

Thanks for the replies!

I bolded where you contradict yourself. When this change/repair was made, is it possible you used "new" cable to cable connectors?
If so, it is possible that the connectors you used do not transmit power. DISH needs connectors that have a BLUE insert. The LNB is powered by the "box" if that doesn't happen, you won't get a signal.

At least that's been my experience and what I was told by the tech who fixed a similar problem with my unit.

YMMV

Assuming you are using RG6. Most likely the problem is the connectors not the coax. Unless coax was in an area where there was high heat. Normally coax lasts for years.

You can do a quick check for open or short on that coax line. Disconnect both ends. Put ohm meter on one end from center conducter to outer shield. It should be infinity. If that checks ok put a flashlight batter across center conductor to shield on one end. Measure voltage across the other end. If there is a problem check connectors first.

robsouth wrote:
Has it ever worked connected to the "outside"? I'm assuming that you mean a connection on the outside of the camper where one would connect cable TV and in some cases, a satellite dish connection is also available. If not, and you only have a cable TV connection, then it will not work using that connection. It cannot pass thru the rooftop TV antennae connection or a splitter. Let us know how you are coming along with the problem.

You posted while I was typing so apparently hooking to the cable outside connection was not a viable option.

Yes, it has always worked when connected to the outside. Looks more and more like bad coax.

trop-a-cal wrote:
Are both interconnected? If so are they both on same channel? Are you going to in port on Sat then out port on DVR to TV in port?

Sorry I haven't made myself very clear.

I have had this set up for quite some time. A little confused by
'interconnected' and 'same channel'.

I have changed nothing. I connect the satellite to the port on the outside of the camper. Inside the camper the coax is connected to the port on the wall and then to the in port on the DVR, and the out port is connected to the TV. Somewhere between the outside and the DVR, there is an issue.

Bad coax would make sense. However, I tried changing so satellite was hooked up to what is normally the 'cable' port and had the same results of no satellite found. That cable coax was replaced last year. Yes, I changed the coax connections within the camper as well.

I just wondered if there was some possiblity other than bad coax - not looking forward to going through that hassle again.

Thanks for the replies!