Signal Problems Help and FAQ
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Here you can find help if you are experiencing problems with the America One satellite signal. Click on a symptom or question below that best describes what you need help with.

What equipment do I need to receive the America One satellite signal?

What should my signal level be to get reliable Video and Audio output?

The signal is freezing up intermittently.

I see "No Signal" or "Not Authorized" or a Frozen Picture on the monitor.

How do I set up my D9850 receiver for America One?

How do I perform a Factory Reset on my D9850 receiver?

How do I turn on LNB power on my D9850 receiver?

How do I get my receiver authorized to view America One?

How do set up an older Scientific Atlanta receiver such as a D9223, D9229, etc.


What equipment do I need to receive the America One satellite signal?

Dish - It is suggested that you use at least a 10' solid dish. Some have success with smaller or mesh dishes but it is not recommended. If you are using a smaller or mesh dish or are in a part of the country with less signal strength you might need to upgrade your LNB.

LNB - We suggest a high quality, Digital Ready, LNB like the "Norsat Model 8515" with plus or minus 500khz local Oscillator Stability and a 15 degree noise temp. If you have a smaller or mesh dish you may need a higher quality PLL (phase lock loop) LNB. If your LNB meets these specs, then check it for faulty connections or water collection. It is always good to have a cover over your feed horn.

Cable Runs - If you are running cable for more than 100 feet, you probably need an 'In Live Amplifier' to compensate for signal loss. You may need more than one depending on the length of the cable run. Caution - Amplifiers can interfere with digital signals if they are failing or of low quality. Some times replacing the entire cable run from the dish to the receiver will make a difference.

Receiver - You will need a Scientific Atlanta brand receiver with PowerVU capability to decode the encrypted signal. The current model being shipped is a D9850. We can only authorize units that have been purchased with decryption rights. Receivers from other networks will require authorized parties from those networks to allow cross reference of the receiver for America One to authorize the unit.

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What should my signal level be to get reliable Video and Audio output?
A reading of "Lvl: 60" on the main screen of your D9850 receiver should be good enough to receive America One with out freeze ups. Some have luck with signals as low as 55. If you have less then that you will get picture freezes and maybe the words 'No Signal' on the screen. Since this is digital you will not get a snowy picture. If you see snow in the picture, then there is a problem with the cable or equipment after the receiver in the signal chain.

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The signal is freezing up intermittently.
Try a reboot by unplugging the receivers power cable, waiting 10 seconds, and plugging it back in. This will take the signal down and it will take about 2 minutes for the receiver to power back up.

Check RF connections at the receiver and at the LNB on the dish.

Check the cable coming from the satellite dish for damage.

If your signal level is below 55 you may need to peak your dish again.

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I see "No Signal" or "Not Authorized" or a Frozen Picture on the monitor.
If this continues for a long time then you have lost the signal completely. You can call the 24 hour Master Control number 817-546-1366 to verify that the signal is up or try some of the following steps.

Reboot by unplugging the receivers power cable, waiting 10 seconds, and plugging it back in. This will take the signal down and it will take about 2 minutes for the receiver to power back up.

Check RF connections at the receiver and at the LNB on the dish.

Check the cable coming from the satellite dish for damage.

If your signal level is below 55 you may need to peak your dish again.

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How do I set up my D9850 receiver for America One?
Notes: There are 2 versions of the Menu system on the D9850. If one seems off then try the other. At any point if you are asked to Continue or Save, then use the arrows to choose that option and press Select.

D9850 (Software version 1.01)
Press MENU
*If you see PRESET/INPUT on the menu screen go to ‘other software versions’ below
Arrow Right to SETUP, Press SELECT
Press SELECT to choose QUICK
Arrow Down to FREQ, Press SELECT
You will see a prompt “Video will be Disabled”
Arrow Right, Press SELECT to Choose CONTINUE
Enter: 04.0510 and press SELECT
Arrow Right to SYMRATE and Press SELECT
Enter: 13.3330 and press SELECTArrow Down
Arrow Right to NET-ID and Press SELECT
Up Arrow to change to 0002 and Press Select
Press MENU
You should see a prompt “Acquired, Save?”
Arrow Right, Press SELECT to Choose CONTINUE
Press MENU
Unit will download other setup data
At this point you should see LVL rating. (above 55 is adequate, above 60 is good)
Press Up Arrow to channel 3333
You may need to turn On LNB power.

D9850 (All other software versions)
Arrow Right to PRESET/INPUT, Press SELECT
Arrow Down, Arrow Right to FREQ, Press SELECT
You will see a prompt “Video will be Disabled”
Arrow Right, Press SELECT to Choose CONTINUE
Enter: 04.0510 and press SELECT
Arrow Right to SYMRATE and Press SELECT
Enter: 13.3330 and press SELECTArrow Down
Arrow Right to NET-ID and Press SELECT
Up Arrow to change to 0002 and Press Select
Press MENU
You should see a prompt “Acquired, Save?”
Arrow Right, Press SELECT to Choose CONTINUE
Press MENU
Unit will download other setup data
At this point you should see LVL rating. (above 55 is adequate, above 60 is good)
Press Up Arrow to channel 3333
You may need to turn On LNB power.

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How do I perform a Factory Reset on my D9850 receiver?
Notes: There are 2 versions of the Menu system on the D9850. If one seems off then try the other. At any point if you are asked to Continue or Save, then use the arrows to choose that option and press Select.

D9850 (Software version 1.01)
Press MENU
If you see PRESET/INPUT on the menu go to ‘other software versions’ below
Arrow Right to USER, Press SELECT
Arrow Down to LCD CONTRAST
Arrow Right to FACTORY RESET, Press SELECT
Choose CONTINUE when prompted
Wait for the unit to reset and reboot
Go to D9850 Setup and re-enter the parameters.

D9850 (All other software versions)
Arrow Right to SETUP, Press SELECT
Now on ADMIN, Press SELECT
Arrow Down to LCD CONTRAST
Arrow Right to FACTORY RESET, Press SELECT
Choose CONTINUE when prompted
Wait for the unit to reset and reboot
Go to D9850 Setup and re-enter the parameters.

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How do I turn on LNB power on my D9850 receiver?
Notes: There are 2 versions of the Menu system on the D9850. If one seems off then try the other. At any point if you are asked to Continue or Save, then use the arrows to choose that option and press Select.

D9850 (Software version 1.01)
Press MENU
If you see PRESET/INPUT on the menu go to ‘other software versions’ below
Arrow Right to SETUP, Press SELECT
Press SELECT to choose QUICK
Arrow Down to POWER, Press SELECT
Arrow Right, Press SELECT to turn ON
Choose CONTINUE if prompted
Press MENU until you get back to the Status screen

D9850 (All other software versions)
Arrow Right to PRESET/INPUT, Press SELECT
Arrow Down, until you see POWER
Arrow Right, Press SELECT
Use arrows to change value to 18 or 19 then press SELECT
Choose CONTINUE if prompted
Press MENU until you get back to the Status screen

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How do I get my receiver authorized to view America One?
You need to contact "Affiliate / RSN Relations" at 817-546-1363 and supply us with the U. A. Number that is on the receiver. Only Scientific Atlanta Models with PowerVU will decode the America One Signal.

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How do set up an older Scientific Atlanta receiver such as a D9223, D9229, etc.
America One is not familiar with the older model Scientific Atlanta receivers. They are very different then the D9850. It would be best if you call Scientific Atlanta Customer Support at 888-949-4786 and with the setup information on the Technical Information page, they should be able to assist you. If you still have problems after speaking with S. A. feel free to contact us, and we will try to help.

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