DIRECTV has always had a strong DIYer appeal. It started as a DIY product, and professional installation didn’t become the norm until the early 2000s when multi-satellite dishes became common. I’m a DIYer myself, and I’ve connected with others in the community who have been maintaining their own installations for over 25 years at this point. It’s a point of pride for me that this blog can be a resource for the folks who really want to do it themselves.
Choosing the right LNB
Really, at this point, there’s only one good choice. This Reverse Band 3 LNB is the top of the line today. It supports 4K using any Slimline Dish and comes with a built-in multiswitch to support up to 21 tuners (or 13 receivers.) It’s the most capable and futureproof LNB, and one of the easiest to install.
Sure, it’s not expandable, but residential customers haven’t had an option besides Genie hardware in years. You can still get a last-generation receiver but that’s not a genuinely appealing option. If you do want to go that way, you can always use the Reverse Band 5 Legacy LNB and SWM-30 multiswitch if you prefer. Personally I think that’s a lot of cabling for not a lot of benefit in a residential situation. If you’re planning on putting 40 receivers in your bar or restaurant, or if you’re planning to service an apartment building, it’s a great option. But home use? I’m not sure.
What about 119?
People ask if they still need the old “5-location” LNB and the answer is usually no. DIRECTV’s 119 satellite is definitely on its way out, and the 110 satellite has been out of service for US customers for years. There are no national channels still broadcasting on the satellite at the 119 location, and more channels move off that old satellite practically every day. That satellite location will likely be retired in under two years and so it’s not necessary to try and futureproof a system by using that LNB.
A return to DIY?
Let’s be honest with each other. DIRECTV’s user base isn’t what it was. During its peak, close to 25 million households had the service. At the time, DIRECTV’s management was more interested in quality than quantity, and they spent a lot of money to attract subscribers who then left the service when their “teaser” rates expired. There’s been some shrinkage in the user base since then, for sure. But who’s left? The DIYers. DIYers are the folks who made DIRECTV what it is today and I expect there to be a strong DIY contingent for years to come. And of course, SolidSignal.com serves the DIYer by offering the kind of hardware you won’t find anywhere else. Not only that, we offer free tech support before, during, and after the sale. Call us at 888-233-7563 and get the answers you need. We have a team of technicians in our Detroit-area office who actually answer the phone. Check us out, or fill out the form below! We’ll respond quickly.
