Self installation of Dish network

[JRF]

I have a question. I will be switching from c-band satellite to Dish Network in a few weeks. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of buying the equipment and installing it myself vs. letting a company do it for me. I'm very familiar with satellites, having done most of the repair on my current system for the last 17 years and installed a Dish Network dish for my sister about 5 years ago. They claim free equipment & free installation. I haven't read the "fine" print and was wondering what the catch is. Can anyone give me some advice on this "deal"?
Thanks in advance,
JRF

[fivestring]

Free is free.
I let DirecTV install mine for free.
When I moved, I let them install new dish and lnb for $12.00.
Anything under $25 is worth me not falling off the roof or a ladder.

[JazzDad]

I've seen some free installations, and you really do get what you pay for. If you have the proper tools, you will do a better job because you care about your home. The installer, on the other hand, is thinking about driving to the next job, problems with his girlfriend, his truck payment- everything but doing a really good installation on your house. And, if you don't like the way it looks when he (or she) is done, I'd bet you have a tough time getting them back out to clean it up. Just my 1.5 cents worth.

[egon]

I have found most permanent tradesmen are proud of the quality job they do and will give you good service despite other thoughts.

IE: they are proud of their work.

Egon

[beenthere]

I would side with, and agree with, JazzDad and his observations. Each to their own desires tho.

I installed my DirecTV and ran into several decisions that I worked out that would have probably ended up shortcuts to any one else. Delicate places to thread the cable, etc., and all has worked out well. I have yet to be very comfortable with a tradesman working in my house, but with a few exceptions. Painters are the worst. Last one I am sure couldn't see very well. He rolled chunks of gunk on the walls apparently from his paint bucket, and should have strained them out. He didn't fix any nail pops, just rolled right over them. I was glad to see him leave. But, the choice is "I could have done it myself" and the next time, if there is one, I will do just that.

Essentially no problem with Directv in the three years I have had it, with only an occasional heavy rain blocking the signal for a short spell - minutes at most. Thinkin about looking into the TIVo features as well as hooking the computer up to Directway (sp?)

[GaryM]

I just had the Dish Network professionally installed. Pleased with the job done by a local small retailler. I arrainged for the service though him and he sowed up on time and did a professional job.

As this was new construction he went in early and ran six cables to the dish location on the roof, we're getting Directway too.

Then he came back on Tuesday and mounted the dish, terminated all the cables, installed wallplate and hooked up the three receivers.

The modem will be installed as soon as I get a computer moved.

Very happy so far. I'd recommend a local retailer/installer who you'll be able to get hold of later.

[itsmeCindi]

Thank you very much Gadgetman! You just clinched it for me. I have been debating changing from Direct TV to Dish network for about a month now. I too suffer outages when it gets cloudy with DTVand I have been through three recievers in three months. Hughes brand. Then even though I have the protection plan they tried to charge me seventy dollars for a trip charge because THEIR equipment was faulty. Grrr.

[Stoneheartfarm]

We've had Dishnetwork a little over a year and no equipment problems. We typically only lose signal under two conditions. 1. The power is out. 2. It is pouring rain. The second one always fixes itself within a minute or two and is rarely repeated. The first one takes a little longer. [img]/forums/images/icons/blush.gif[/img]

We do keep the entire TV/Dish/Stereo/VCR/DVD thingy on an APC battery back-up surge suppressor. Just had to change it out last week after the big thunder storm. Forty bucks is cheap insurance.


Steve

[gadgetman]

Back to itmecindi: My receivers were RCA Brand. Direct TV could not do anything to help me (wasn't their equipment). I got the Direct TV through Wards. After the first receiver problem I went back to them (before they closed) and they advised me to contact RCA direct. No offer of help.

I "bought" the Dish Network thru Sam's Club. They set up the delivery and installation. Several posts recommend purchasing thru a local TV company and based on my "qualified installer" experience, I would second that if you can find one. The packages they sell are almost the same.

[gadgetman]

Back to itsmecindi II: Also location of the dish is VERY IMPORTANT! The DirectTV installation suggested mounting to the Chimney (for an extra fee of course). As my house is over 100 years old (didn't think the chimney would stand up to the extra pressure) I had them mount it as high on the house a possible. The installer suggested several limbs of a nearby Pecan tree needed to be removed. I was able to remove them. But every windstorm caused outages. I had someone remove more limbs higher up and this helped some.

When an installer showed up to replace the second RCA receiver (at my expense) he suggested placing it on a pole. He went around my property and found the best signal location, gave me a pole, and came back and relocated the dish after I installed the pole. I stilled lost signals during rain but not from limbs getting in the way.

The Dish Network guy used the same pole. Only lost the signal once since then.

Good Luck!