Dish500 cant find signal I have before on this dish. what is a switch? and should I look for trhe switch \once

Question

Dish500 cant find signal I have before on this dish. what is a switch? and should I look for trhe switch \once

Answer 1

The switch on a Dish 500 is the LNB at the dish itself. Well it can be in different locations depending on the install. Typically the switch has been built into the LNB on the arm that is on the dish. Before that on some Dish 500's the switch could be located somewhere else in the cable run. It is called a switch but it does a few things. It is not an on/off switch. It does things with how the satellites talk to each other because it is talking with at least two Sat's. Switches go bad over time. They are designed to last forever, but like the norstar V-8 on Cadillac's, they go bad. You can not buy the switches at Wal-mart. Maybe Radio Shack, but I have never tried. This needs to be done by a tech, unless you can find the switch, then ask if you can buy it and change it. See what they say. I do not know of one person to do it on their own.

Answer 2

Your problem could well be the switch.

Dish network keeps tight control of their new equipment, so you'd probably have to pay for a service call to get anything new  and guaranteed.  I just e-bay searched "DISH 500 switch" and found several for sale if you'd like to see/purchase one.

There are several other reasons for not getting a signal,(compromised cable,obstructed by plants or trees,water in a connection,shifting base)  I know you didn't ask for this but I would check out these first (but DONT re-aim the dish without a sat finder)

Good luck!