Random extremely low signal, clear day, no trees.

[starhouse]

For about the last week I've had issues: internet is down so I check my 1100 and see that it's having a problem downloading data; signal strength is extremely low, 30's or less on a clear day with no trees in the way. I reset the modem and slowly the signal will start rising again and after 10 minutes or so, is back up to 92. But it will happen again at random times. Anyone else seeing this?

[Amanda]

Hi Starhouse,

That's a very odd issue to have. I can see if I can locate your account and check the equipment diagnostics. In the meantime, could you let me know if you have the modem plugged into a wall socket or a strip/power surge protector? 

Thanks
Amanda

[starhouse]

Thanks Amanda. It's in a surge suppressor.

[Amanda]

Hi Starhouse,

I looked at your installation photos, diagnostics and I have a real-time refresh on your signal strength. I do see it is hovering between the 88-91 area. Can you try and plug it right into the wall and see if that makes a difference? If not, based on these charts we will probably have to send a tech out to repoint your dish, but I want to see if it is a low power issue first.

Thanks,
Amanda

[starhouse]

I can do that when I get home. Actually, it has always been in that area and it's been pretty reliable.

[starhouse]

OK, I checked the voltage and it's 119v, I don't really have a way to plug it in by itself and I couldn't leave it like that anyway 🙂 I'll check the voltage again when I'm having trouble and see if there's a correlation.

[starhouse]

This a page from the logs from yesterday; when I looked at some of them from the other days, I see quite a few: Outroute Lock On Wrong User Beam: OSDP=35 Expected=12.

[C0RR0SIVE]

Gremlins I tell ya.. Gremlins... Amanda, isn't this similar to an issue that killed my HT1000 a long while back that we spent a good amount of time on trying to get it to come back online?

[Amanda]

Maybe.. looks like its signal/pointing related though.

[Amanda]

Hi starhouse,

Like I mentioned above to C0RR0SIVe, its probably a pointing issue then. I'd like to get a tech out - whats your availability like?

Thanks
Amanda

[starhouse]

Friday may possibly work; not sure if they come out on the weekend. Next week I'm pretty free.

[Amanda]

Hi Starhouse

Great - we do have weekend repairs now. This is the availability of the tech for your area - black boxes are booked and not available, green are open. Let me know which one you'd like and I can schedule it.


Thanks
Amanda

[starhouse]

Hi Amanda, how about Friday 2:00-5:00?

[Amanda]

Hi Starhouse
You're all set! I've also indicated in the notes for the technician to bring an extra radio transmitter just in case. Please let me know how the visit goes.

Thanks,
Amanda

[starhouse]

Thanks, will do 🙂

[El Dorado Netwo]

I'd love to know what the fix is. That is a weird one. Last time I saw those PEP Backbone errors like that, it was on a system that had too many devices connected to the modem through a network switch.

But, yeah, Gen4 signal in the 80s~90s is too low. The other problems may stem from the modem trying to adjust radio power to compensate for the low signal. 

[starhouse]

I'll let you know what the tech finds this afternoon.

[starhouse]

Ok, the tech showed up over 2 hours early so I wasn't home yet. My son helped him the best he could and he was on his way out when I got home so I'm not sure exactly what he did. Still having issues: now signal is even lower than before...

[Amanda]

Hi Starhouse,

Thanks for the update. Looking at the previous signals you reported (30's and 40's) this is a great improvement. The average for your area is 80-84 signal strength, so you're in the right range. The technician reported that he repointed and tightened the mount for the dish, as it had come loose. 

These errors on the second image are usually weather related (your location or gateway). Any adverse weather that you know of? 

After this visit you say that you are still having the same issues - do you mean in terms of the signal randomly dropping out? If so, when it does this, do you lose any lights on your modem?

Have a good one
Amanda

[starhouse]

Hi Amanda,
It's always been around 92 when I've looked at the signal strength, so low 80's on a sunny day is a disappointment. The weather was perfect over the weekend, barely any cloudcover. I have minimal devices on my network: when I had issues yesterday, the only things on my network were my router and my phone. When I lost internet connectivity yesterday, the signal strength was 86 but as you can see from the attachment, it was not happy.

[starhouse]

Signal is at 74 now.