I have already come to the conclusion that it was in fact a mistake.

I like to purchase things and have them work right from the start, not never work, right from the start.

This was my fault or I would probably be upset. I told the installer to check the signal at the splitter in the cellar to be sure I was getting a proper signal throughout the house, meaning both TV’s.

The battery in his signal tester was dead. He warmed the battery, but I didn’t see him check the signal after doing this so I assume, the signal wasn’t checked.

He left me a cable box, which I said I would install because I really did have to leave the house and there just wasn’t time. He replaced the ends/connectors on the cable for both TV’s at the splitter.

There was no problem programming either TV as long as it was just the cable. Once the box that provides the HD was hooked up, it would not boot properly. The fact is, 7 hours later and many tries it still will not boot.

I called and told the tech the error that I was getting and he wasn’t familiar with the error. I thought that was somewhat interesting. there was no audio and it wasn’t anything anyone could possibly watch, basically there was no picture.

After many tries, I did get it to boot once. I found that many of the channels wouldn’t work and the HD just had the small familiar squares of poor reception, just like the small digital antennas for about $40.00.

Here I sit, paying for a service and not getting it on a Friday night.

I know it can be fixed. I also know I paid $40 for an install that didn’t work. I am not  aware of just what is considered an install. If it is to the house, then this cable was already connected, if it includes inside the house, then it was already there, possibly faulty, but none of this was checked from what I could see.

I mentioned Direct TV and Dish Network only because I know  people with both. I also know their only problems have been in storms and the like. I didn’t call Direct TV so I won’t comment on them.

I might have gone with Dish, but I couldn’t understand the person on the phone. He had a very heavy what I called “Indian” accent so that I had difficulties, enough so that I would never be able to make any repairs myself if I called tech support. I don’t mean this in a bad way, but I do need to be able to understand the person I am talking with if it involves technical issues.

The cable company here does have the very long phone menu. I don’t think those can be avoided.

My plan is to go back to my small, inexpensive, antenna, and just watch a couple local channels. I seldom watch much more than the news anyway.

Has anyone else had any problems with the cable companies in Maine?

The problem I encountered was that none of the stores in my area carried the particular type I need. I did contact Denso and found that I could purchase online from them.

Advance will cross reference to NGK spark plugs which is basically fine. In my case it was just that I wanted to replace mine with the same brand that came in the truck when new.

I did want something quickly so I didn’t wish to order online and because this product wasn’t available in any of the after market stores, I would recommend getting them if needed from a dealer.

The price at Advance Auto Parts was $2.79 and the one dealer I called gets $4.21. I don’t know if tax is included at the dealer but my assumption is that it isn’t.

I have personally never had problems with NGK and have found the one’s I have purchased to be of excellent quality. Therefore, because of the way Denso distributes or Advance Auto Parts chooses to stock them I decided to just get NGK.

An item such as a spark plug isn’t something I wish to shop around for, although I did spend a while on the internet and calling a couple Advance Auto Parts stores to see if I could get the Denso spark plugs.

If you don’t wish to wait for spark plugs, or at least Denso spark plugs and you live in Maine, you will probably find it simpler just to go to NGK if you don’t wish to spend the extra at the new car dealer for the Denso.

I must admit it seems strange with so many Tacoma’s on the road that someone in Maine doesn’t carry the type spark plug that is installed at the factory.

I can’t say for sure someone doesn’t. I can only say that I couldn’t find any in my area and don’t feel that spending a day or two trying to locate some or order on line is the way I wish to go.

I recently talked with a well-known mechanic about this problem.

I have done nearly all of my mechanical work for many years so I was quite interested in what he had to say. I admit that I have done less since the automobiles have become more complex.

The important thing that he told me and I assume it is correct is how the check engine light actually works. I read in many forums and hear from people how they go to Auto Zone or some parts place and get a free check to see what is causing the check engine light to come on. Most of these parts stores perform this check for free. It is a wonderful service to the customer.

With that said, I must explain how my mechanic friend explained about the check engine light, and what is really happening.

I will attempt to explain this in laymen’s terms.

My example is that the check engine light comes on. The tester is put on the car and it discovers some problem. It is quite common that it is the 02 sensor located on the exhaust side of the engine.

People will often run right out and get a new 02 sensor. It might or might not fix the problem.

The reason it might or might not fix the problem is that this sensor is monitoring the quality of the exhaust gases to make sure the engine is burning the gasoline efficiently. If this gasoline isn’t being burned efficiently, the 02 sensor will detect this and the check engine light comes on.

Most auto parts stores will sell you the bad sensor. This is where there can be a very real problem. It might or might not work. The reason being that the check engine light came on, because something in the engine isn’t working efficiently. Therefore, very often the light might or might not stay off for a while but will come back on. This can be in minutes or hours, days, etc.

The thing I have run into on more than one vehicle is that I didn’t need the sensor that I was told was defective. I needed new spark plugs. Once the spark plugs were installed, the check engine light stayed out.

This simply means that the sensor is working properly and detected a problem in the engine. It doesn’t mean that the sensor is defective. Something triggered the sensor. This could be poor air/fuel mix or a weak ignition system. It means that there is more than likely a problem with the engine, and it really has nothing to do with the actual sensor.

It also means one shouldn’t just replace expensive sensors without knowing what is actually going on with the engine. It also means that the engine should be checked, and not just the computer and sensors.

I found this interesting as so many times people say, they had to replace this or that sensor, only to find that the light comes back on.

I recommend finding a reputable mechanic before replacing a “bad” sensor so that the money can be put where it belongs which is to repair the engine, not just replace the sensor.

I welcome other opinions.

The thing I haven’t been able to find is where one can be bought. I do know many truckers and some people RV’s use them. I have seen them at truck stops and similar places, but I don’t know the stores, shops, whatever in Maine that carry them so that someone might jut call and check on availability and pricing.

It’s simple enough to order online. I found it quite amazing that on this particular item, a good comprehensive list of dealers throughout America, isn’t really available.

I actually went to the Galaxy site and they didn’t have a list of distributors or dealers. I didn’t even bother to check the Cobra site, because I do know most Radio Shack Stores do carry those even though the one I went to didn’t have an SSB model.

If anyone knows of any reputable electronics dealers in Maine that carry them, I would really like to have some information.

Thanks!

Because of my simple lifestyle, I must admit I have reservations about believing things of this nature. Generally I listen to only a small amount of any talk radio shows and never watch Mr. Beck on TV.

The thing that kept me tuned to the show today and the comments about being prepared, was the mention of the Wall Street Journal and picture or pictures of a market in Virginia showing totally empty shelves.

I do remember seeing this in Russia a few years ago.

If a regular grocery store, food market, whatever you wish to call it runs out of food and necessities because of a snow storm, what happens if there is something that totally disrupts transportation for a larger part of the country, and for a moderately extended period of time?

It just might be that we really should think ahead for a longer period of time than we might in normal times.

Just wondering if anyone else feels this way.