The service person just left. The dish was warped (may have been a result of the violent wind storm 2-3 weeks ago), and it was also aimed right through the electric wire feed coming to the house. He installed a new dish in another location, and satellite signal is now the highest we have seen in 3 years.  Service is fast and consistent now.

The service tech was very sharp, and communicated in a way I could understand.  A great experience ed. 

Thank you, Liz, for talking me through all of this.