DirecTV in Cincinnati (home, buying, install)

[cgs2000]

Last night, as snow fell and temps dropped, we lost many channels. At first the lower ones came thru, but by the late evening we received only a few, like HLN, KET,and Weather.
When I called they asked if we had a storm! I guess you might say that.
Then they wondered if there was snow or ice on the disk...which is located way up on the roof.
Question: how do a few channels work, and those shift around?

[American Luxury]

We always had that problem. Even when it was just a really cloudy day we would lose the signal on some channels. Not really sure why only some worked. But we had enough and switched to Cincinnati Bell. There were a few growing pains at first (as can be expected with something new like fiber optics), but it's been flawless ever since.

[cgs2000]

Thanks for the insight. Unfortunately I have a year left on the contract...and most of the channels are true crap.

[unusualfire]

Yeah I had the same problem. I know my dish has two nodes. Alot of channels were out earlier. Some even now. But others came back, even though I know the snow didn't melt. lol

[cgs2000]

By coincidence I just received a flyer from Cinci Bell today, but they will allow only $100 towards buying out the DirecTV contract.

[Briolat21]

Our dish is located on the side of our home - pointing toward the requisite "southern sky". As such, when I got a message on the tv on Monday suggesting that the satellite was out - I went outside with a broom and cleared the dish off (about 6" had accumulated).

Instant reception fixed.

Normally we only lose reception in a torrential downpour. Still, we like the directv offerings (sports packages especially) and have tried some of the local cable options (time warner) and found them equally lacking (and essentially just as expensive).

Also - what confused me is when we had cable (rather than satellite) - we also had signal loss and problems -- which made no sense as there is a hardwired cable the signal is traveling across.

[dpeters11]

One thing that can help, particularly if you can't access your dish easily is to install a dish heater (best done in better weather in preparation for winter.)

Also, some have used a super soaker with hot salty water with good results.

There are a few reasons for a situation like this.

Keep in mind, the dish itself is just a piece of metal that reflects the signal from several satellites back to the piece that points towards the reflector. Wet snow prevents the reflection more than dry snow. Also, disruption in the signal getting to the dish can affect it, and there are essentially different frequencies which is why sometimes HD channels will go out and not SD.

This is all assuming the dish is well aimed.