Satellite has no signal

clicker1944 · 06-24-2015, 09:49 AM

Our 2nd trip with the Dish setup. VP211z and King Tailgater. Intial set up all was good after Dish activated it and it did its thing. That was 4 weeks ago now I put the Tailgaiter out, coax into the receiver, set all the correct inputs, hdmi into the tv and all I get is a black screen with the box that says "weak or no signal". It never even tries to go into setup mode at all. From the previous trip it should do all the setup and then advise if there is a problem with the signal. Dish customer support tried all the resets then advised me to call a local Dish retailer. They want 150 bucks just to come out...not gonna happen. I think the recei er is bad. If I try to shut it off with the remote or the power button it will not go off! I have to unplug it to shut it off. The remote works the tv fine so its not the batteries. Should also mention when it did work on the first trip it would shut off the sound several times when changing channels. I had to power down and up to get the sound back. Doesn't sound right to me. In my opinion I got a bad receiver but just wanted some input before getting back on the phone with Dish and venting. At least this park has cable so we do have tv in the meantime.

clr · 06-24-2015, 09:57 AM

Sure sounds to me like the receiver may be bad. The TV should still display the setup screen and complain about low or no signal from the dish even if the antenna is disconnected.

TURBS · 06-24-2015, 10:23 AM

I think the tv is on the wrong input.

With the receiver turned off there should be a dish logo / screen saver.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "11 nights"

lbrjet · 06-24-2015, 12:41 PM

I agree with Turbs, check your HDMI input menu on your TV. Sounds like it is on antenna.

2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

TURBS · 06-24-2015, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbrjet

I agree with Turbs, check your HDMI input menu on your TV. Sounds like it is on antenna.

2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

Ooooor the hdmi cable is bad?
If you have another it can't hurt to try.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "11 nights"

clicker1944 · 06-25-2015, 08:38 AM

All inputs are set correctly, hdmi 1, and bought a new hdmi cable since that was the easiest one to fix. Still no set up screen. Don't forget I also said I can't turn the receiver off unless I unplug it. Cable works fine as does the antenna. Believe me I have been rv'ing for years I know about inputs and the little antenna button, etc. It's got me stumped.

TURBS · 06-25-2015, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clicker1944

All inputs are set correctly, hdmi 1, and bought a new hdmi cable since that was the easiest one to fix. Still no set up screen. Don't forget I also said I can't turn the receiver off unless I unplug it. Cable works fine as does the antenna. Believe me I have been rv'ing for years I know about inputs and the little antenna button, etc. It's got me stumped.

Did you try a reset "hold power button"

I might agree receiver may be bad then.

in 25 years with dish I've not had a bad one.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "11 nights"

clicker1944 · 06-25-2015, 08:55 AM

Tried that with Dish customer service. Hold for 5 sec then release...nothing!

accumack · 06-25-2015, 08:55 AM

Have you gone into setup and put the zipcode for where you are staying. It's the way the dish knows where to aim for the satellite.

clicker1944 · 06-25-2015, 08:59 AM

As I said I can't get the set up screen to even come on. Just black screen with th box saying little or no signal. Believe me the setup screen would be very welcome to see.

jk510 · 06-25-2015, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by accumack

Have you gone into setup and put the zipcode for where you are staying. It's the way the dish knows where to aim for the satellite.

That doesn't do anything for the equipment. It's only to tell you or the tech which way to point the dish

accumack · 06-25-2015, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jk510

That doesn't do anything for the equipment. It's only to tell you or the tech which way to point the dish

Not true! With the tailgater or carryout it actually points the dish to the satellite.

jk510 · 06-25-2015, 10:54 AM

Have you tried plugging the hdmi cable into something else like a DVD player or something? That will confirm the cable/port functioning correctly.
When I start my system I see a startup screen almost immediately even if I don't have the dish connected yet. The no or weak signal message sounds like an error message from the TV not the receiver.

RooVader · 06-25-2015, 10:57 AM

I only had this inability to get to the setup screen one time. It happened when I forgot to screw the coax back into the pathway x2 and i couldnt figure out why i couldnt get to the setup screen...the menu option didn't even exist. I was getting really frustrated. Is it possible your coax is bad?

My receiver still wants a zip code even though my dish finds the sats automatically.

dougpatz · 06-25-2015, 12:11 PM

I think it is your receiver, since you stated on/off issues. We have had receivers go bad and DISH swapped out without any problems.

rmayo38895 · 06-25-2015, 01:12 PM

I have the vp211 and have found out when setting up the tailgater you have got to have a clear view of the southern sky and make sure you have the handle on the tailgater pointed to the north,I use my cell phone for this,Once that is done and you see the receiver light on then don't try to turn it on or off at this time,It is doing what it is suppose to and if you try to turn it off or on at this point it will not let you,Just be patient and it will work,I love my tailgater but found this out thru trial and error,Hope this helps you.

RooVader · 06-25-2015, 01:18 PM

Yeah but if he has everything connected right it should still show the setup menu even if it cant find a signal. He isn't even seeing the setup menu, which in my experience only happens when the portable dish connection is not detected. If your portable dish can't find a signal in the sky it will still let you try and run through the setup.

TURBS · 06-25-2015, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RooVader

Yeah but if he has everything connected right it should still show the setup menu even if it cant find a signal. He isn't even seeing the setup menu, which in my experience only happens when the portable dish connection is not detected. If your portable dish can't find a signal in the sky it will still let you try and run through the setup.

Yep

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "11 nights"

TxLightkeeper · 06-25-2015, 01:33 PM

Suggestion. Since you mention it worked fine on last trip out, possibly a connection inside your TT has come loose. I would take the TV and VIP 211 outside and hook the Tailgater direct to the receiver and ensure HDMI has got good connection and then power on to see if it shows the set up menu. That would eliminate a connection issue in the TT, if it still does not work. But the power issue on the 211 sounds more like you have a bad receiver. Remember, this is an electronic device and should be protected while you are en route to your campgrounds. Vibration is not it's friend.
Hope this helps.

lbrjet · 06-25-2015, 01:52 PM

When you power up the receiver the Tailgater should be making noise if it getting power and working. Something to check.

I do remember once having a problem and Dish instructed me to pull the card out of the receiver and push it back in. Did some kind of reset I guess and I have never had a problem since.

You can check the power at the receiver and at the end of the cable that plugs into the tailgater with a volt meter. Should be around 19 volts. King Controls had me do this and determined the cable delivered with my unit was bad. They sent me a replacement.

2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

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