SeaKing Satellite 9818RJ problem

CSkipR · 06-16-2009, 10:23 AM

I am in the Bahamas and the satellite worked fine up until a week ago. I've tried everything from resetting the system, calibration, direct cable from satelite to tuner box and still nothing. The controller shows
Run: Scan Align
DTV 101
Now on ? ----

It will not lock on a satellite. Everyone in the marina's satellite is working fine. I called SeaKing and all they did was go through the calibration process again. He said next try a direct coaxial from the antenna to the tuner box which I did with no results. After that he did not know.
Any have ideas. Would a bad tuner box cause this? If so where do you get one.
Thanks, Skip

HONGKONG · 06-16-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSkipR

I am in the Bahamas and the satellite worked fine up until a week ago. I've tried everything from resetting the system, calibration, direct cable from satelite to tuner box and still nothing. The controller shows
Run: Scan Align
DTV 101
Now on ? ----

It will not lock on a satellite. Everyone in the marina's satellite is working fine. I called SeaKing and all they did was go through the calibration process again. He said next try a direct coaxial from the antenna to the tuner box which I did with no results. After that he did not know.
Any have ideas. Would a bad tuner box cause this? If so where do you get one.
Thanks, Skip

I've tried and tried to come up with something both witty and succinct about your plight of being in the Bahamas with no satellite. (for a week, no less)

Guess it's all about perspective.

If it's because you need satellite for business, I think we understand, the funds for those fuel and dockage bills have to come from somewhere and who better than you, should be minding the store. On the other hand it could possibly reflect on the quality of the help you've hired and their ability to manage in your absence.

Where, I think, this becomes a dichotomy for many of my traditional yachting brethren, is this over emphasis on dragging all means of entertainment with us on our boats, than travel vast (or half vast) distances to arrive at a new location to close the drapes, turn on the AC and watch a DVD.

Well, after saying this I realize I've been neither witty of succinct
I apologize, CskipR, for not helping in directly solving your problem, perhaps in an other way, I have

CSkipR · 06-16-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HONGKONG

I've tried and tried to come up with something both witty and succinct about your plight of being in the Bahamas with no satellite. (for a week, no less)

Guess it's all about perspective.

If it's because you need satellite for business, I think we understand, the funds for those fuel and dockage bills have to come from somewhere and who better than you, should be minding the store. On the other hand it could possibly reflect on the quality of the help you've hired and their ability to manage in your absence.

Where, I think, this becomes a dichotomy for many of my traditional yachting brethren, is this over emphasis on dragging all means of entertainment with us on our boats, than travel vast (or half vast) distances to arrive at a new location to close the drapes, turn on the AC and watch a DVD.

Well, after saying this I realize I've been neither witty of succinct
I apologize, CskipR, for not helping in directly solving your problem, perhaps in an other way, I have

HongKong
Wow thanks for all the advice. First all let me say that I am retired after working 42 years so I don't need it for business just like to stay somewhat informed. No I don't turn on the TV and close the drapes and watch TV except when I want to see something specific. Thats what I paid for.
Have a great day.

Capt J · 06-16-2009, 05:44 PM

If it will not lock onto a satellite it is in the dish. OR something is blocking the dish where it needs to hit the satellite. If I remember correctly, in the Bahamas the satellite will be southwest. Is your radar obstructing the satellite from hitting the satellite? You might try spinning the boat around in the slip and seeing if it will hit the satellite.

If on the television the Direct TV guide comes up but you're not getting any of the channels, it is not in the satellite dish. It is on the direct TV end and you need to call them with the card # for each card and the reciever # and ask them to reset the cards. This happens from Direct TV when you change zones, such as running from FL to parts of the Bahamas.

CSkipR · 06-16-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt J

If it will not lock onto a satellite it is in the dish. OR something is blocking the dish where it needs to hit the satellite. If I remember correctly, in the Bahamas the satellite will be southwest. Is your radar obstructing the satellite from hitting the satellite? You might try spinning the boat around in the slip and seeing if it will hit the satellite.

If on the television the Direct TV guide comes up but you're not getting any of the channels, it is not in the satellite dish. It is on the direct TV end and you need to call them with the card # for each card and the reciever # and ask them to reset the cards. This happens from Direct TV when you change zones, such as running from FL to parts of the Bahamas.

Capt J,
Thanks for your response. Definitely nothing is blocking the dish and SW is the correct position. We do not receive the channel guides. We get the Direct TV sign on the TV screen and it will say guide and say press ok for all channels but none are there. I will try calling direct tv again and see if that works. They have reset it before without success. I appreciate your assistance. Will keep trying.
Thanks, Skip

CSkipR · 06-16-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt J

If it will not lock onto a satellite it is in the dish. OR something is blocking the dish where it needs to hit the satellite. If I remember correctly, in the Bahamas the satellite will be southwest. Is your radar obstructing the satellite from hitting the satellite? You might try spinning the boat around in the slip and seeing if it will hit the satellite.

If on the television the Direct TV guide comes up but you're not getting any of the channels, it is not in the satellite dish. It is on the direct TV end and you need to call them with the card # for each card and the reciever # and ask them to reset the cards. This happens from Direct TV when you change zones, such as running from FL to parts of the Bahamas.

Capt J,
Just talked to Direct TV and they went through all the steps and checked signal strength which was 0. Basically we are not locking on to any satellite. I believe it might be the Seaking tuner but thats only a guess. Any more ideas let me know.
Skip

Capt J · 06-16-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSkipR

Capt J,
Just talked to Direct TV and they went through all the steps and checked signal strength which was 0. Basically we are not locking on to any satellite. I believe it might be the Seaking tuner but thats only a guess. Any more ideas let me know.
Skip

Can you get onto the hardtop to where the dish is? If so, have someone shut the breaker off for a few minutes, then turn the breaker back on and listen to see if the unit is moving. Next I would check for power at the dish. Other then that, I don't know what to tell you

dennismc · 06-17-2009, 01:45 PM

Not sure about seaking, but if you have a multi switch, check it is powered up, or you may have defective lnb in the dome..

CSkipR · 06-18-2009, 04:46 PM

Dennis,
To my knowledge I don't have a multiswitch. Thats not an A/B switch is it? The satellite is turning and moving around but doesn't lock on any position. What is the LNB piece? Does the tuner send 24v up to the satellite dish? How can I check the power up there?
Thanks for your help.
Skip

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennismc

Not sure about seaking, but if you have a multi switch, check it is powered up, or you may have defective lnb in the dome..

dennismc · 06-18-2009, 06:22 PM

The LNB is that cone thing which is attached to the dish which is inside the dome, receives the signal and sends it to software for de scramble etc, a multi switch does two things, sends voltage to drive the dish, and receives signal to send to TV, multi switch is usually fed seperate with 120 V ac then reduces to low voltage dc to send voltage up to the dish, the tuner voltage usually only operates the tuner. This is how my sea tel system works..The tuner should show if the dish is "locked" on to sat by displaying numbers like NID 100, if 00 then not locked.

If I forget to power up my multi sw. the tuner will continually hunt for signal.

Good luck...support at sea king should be able to help with de bugging...