Shaw Direct/Winegard

We have had the Winegard updated software installed in our dish for Shaw Direct. It worked fine all the way to Laughlin where it decided it couldn't find both satellites so it stowed. I called Winegard and they said when it honed in on "111" I should push the power and select buttons at the same time to lock the dish in. They said DO NOT pull the plug as you will have to have the controller totally re-set. I've been following their instructions and it works fine although I object to paying approximately $500 for software that doesn't do what it was supposed to. At this point, we're not having any problems getting the HD channels although they have a tendency to go missing and then return again. Very puzzling.

MDKMDK wrote:
It was my understanding that the newer G1 satellite, which is supposed to carry most of the HD stuff now, casts a more northerly coverage shadow, than the old Anik F1/F2 birds. ShawD customers have been reporting that they can still receive programming south of the 49th, but that it's inconsistent.
Anecdotally, I was shopping for a portable dish receiver system a few years back and was told by Winegard, that the Trav'ler full sized roof mounted dish would probably be the best bet to pick up anything in the US, going forward. They said the domed portable systems "paddle" dishes were probably too small to be effective in picking up signal.
Maybe some ShawD customers in the deep south will add an update of where they are (approximately?) and what dish/systems they're using?

Winegard was being generous with their description of service with ShawD and a dome. First, you would have to buy a dome for ShawD as the standard domes will not work. 2nd, the domes will not receive any programming outside of Canada or the extreme N. parts of the US.

As to the upgrade the winegard part number is sk-73up

It was my understanding that the newer G1 satellite, which is supposed to carry most of the HD stuff now, casts a more northerly coverage shadow, than the old Anik F1/F2 birds. ShawD customers have been reporting that they can still receive programming south of the 49th, but that it's inconsistent.
Anecdotally, I was shopping for a portable dish receiver system a few years back and was told by Winegard, that the Trav'ler full sized roof mounted dish would probably be the best bet to pick up anything in the US, going forward. They said the domed portable systems "paddle" dishes were probably too small to be effective in picking up signal.
Maybe some ShawD customers in the deep south will add an update of where they are (approximately?) and what dish/systems they're using?

Shaw is / has converted EVERYTHING to HD. Ongoing but supposed to be done this month.

We were having the same Winegard issues and the work around (to keep it short) is when the satellite peaks with a good signal unplug the Winegard box. We have done this several times and although a pain, it works.
We were in touch with Winegard about 3 weeks ago and they did say an update was available at a cost of around $350 US plus shipping (can't remember the exact $$ amount.)
Have heard different scenarios on what we are actually going to be able to receive in the US this winter. If it is anything that is not HD that doesn't leave a whole lot and not worth it, to us anyway.
Are there any Cdn's in the southern US now that can tell us what is really happening?

jheppner wrote:
Have any of you Canadians had trouble with your Winegard automatic dish not being able to locate and hone in on the Shaw Direct satellites?

In a nutshell, Winegard knew Shaw D was making changes on their satellite software, but couldn't adjust fast enough, and so their auto sat dishes couldn't find and lock onto the birds. Someone posted up a work around, but it might be weeks before it all works again as normal.

Just for the avoidance of doubt, Shaw Direct is NOT turning off its sats in US.

This has been well reported for at least a month (maybe 2). Last info I saw was that Winegard had a fix that will cost owners around $350 but it is not yet available. You should get in contact with Winegard right away so they can give you the most up-to-date information.

Check the "shaw satellite" topic in the Snowbirds sub-forum on here. I can't get to it, but that's probably the prior one. I think there's one elsewhere, maybe on iRV2 or winnieowners, can't recall.