Erratic behavior in RF DirectTV remotes

[jff]

Erratic behavior in RC-64 DirectTV remotes using RF

I've got DirectTV RF receivers on my boat and am using DirectTV brand RF remotes (RC64 remotes, 1 remote associated to each receiver). The strange thing is, sometimes the remotes work and sometimes they don't. I can't quite pin it down. This weekend while out on the water and using my generator, the remotes were all working, ie. they controlled the DirectTV boxes. I got back to shore, switched over to the shore sat (instead of the dome on the top of the boat which doesn't work under cover), plugged in shore power and the remotes weren't working at all. I'm thinking it was something in that process that made them not talk to the boxes. Curious if anyone has any specific experiences that would relate to this and help guide me in my troubleshooting?

Thanks!
Jason

 

[jff]

As a follow up - my A/V guy says he is going to put a UPS on the system and he thinks that will remedy this. I can't see how, sooner or later the power will be out for one reason or another long enough to have the UPS shut down and then we're back to the same situation I'm in today.

Regards,
Jason

 

[boatmailster]

Did boxes responded to buttons on case? I just wonder if they have to reload all sat. info when switched to another dish? Is there any kind of a/b switch or splitter installed to get signal feed from dock dish?

 

[jff]

Yes, there is an A/B switch (A=At Dock, B=Boat). When At Dock it uses the two cables in the back of the boat and the fixed dish mounted on the dock, when B=Boat it uses the Sat Dish on top of the boat. When the remotes aren't working the buttons on the case still do work, yes.

Regards,
Jason

 

[tdappleman]

What ends up making the remote work again? Do you have to reprogram them or anything? I have Dish (home only) so on a different set of equipment but the only time my RF remotes (2nd room controls) act up is when the batteries get low and need to be changed.

 

[jff]

The strange thing is ... I have no idea what makes them work again. It honestly seems random. I went to bed one nght and the remote wasn't working, the next day when I tried it the remote worked. Don't think power was cycled during that time but not sure, it may have been (switching over to generator, etc.). I did try new batteries, that didn't
make any difference.

Regards,
Jason

 

[jff]

Interesting ... DirectTV techs (3 different techs) say that this is a result of cutting power and turning back on the receivers 'too quickly'. For example when I switch from shore power to generator. Not sure I believe that, but going to add a UPS and see if it helps.

J

 

[Dancin Dave]

crazy as this sounds, point the remote in every possible direction not just directly at the unit. I cant explain it but I find when it doesnt work and I aim it in the opposite direction of the unit it will change the channel.