Probs with DISEqc 1.0 >:D

[dohouch]

First time trying to get a diseqc working. Have just 2 lnbs.


1. Does it matter if I connect LNB to terminals A and B. Would A and D work just as well?
2. In Lnb setup do I select 2 of 4 first or do I set Astra then 1 of 4, go back change sat name to Hotbird and then do 2 of 4?

I have been getting erratic results. I can get Astra to show which ever way I do it but when I manage to get Hotbird to show, either as 4 of 4 or as mini B I can move to full screen picture but as soon as I change to an Astra channel I loose Hotbird and when I go back to LNB menu Hotbird is no longer showing up. Is this a faulty install, fault diseqc or faulty receiver (topfield 4000Fe)
rgds
DOH

[BGonaSTICK]

Hmm, not sure m8.

Well, either DiSEqC A/B (2-way) or DiSEqC A/A, A/B, B/A, B/B (4-way) should work - reading between the lines you have a 4-way switch and so should use the latter. Port A is normally the default, but a second LNB should be able to work on 'B' 'C' or 'D' no problem as long as you allocate the correct DiSEqC config to the LNB in the receiver firmware and save it. Have you set the receiver to be in DiSEqC 1.0 mode or 1.1? You definitely don't want 1.2 as that's for motors.

From what you say, it doesn't sound like a faulty switch, but the receiver not storing the configuration properly. Attached is the manual for your receiver. It caters differently for DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.1. The latter is probably what you want for a 4-way switch. Have a read of page 23. It's easier for you to follow seeing as you have the receiver in front of you.

Exactly what spec/make is your switch?

To be honest, no two manufacturers implement the DiSEqC standard in the same way so there is a little trial and error required sometimes.

STICK

[dohouch]

Thanks for the manual but I have it already and that was not very helpfull.
The switch is a "MAXIMUM" 4X1 Switch DISEqC 1.0. Ther was no literature in the box when I bough it and hav'nt been able to find anything either. Yeah the receiver is not storing but also most of the time
it's not registering Hotbird either. I have Astra 1 on terminal A (A for Astra!) and that always show up, but B for hotBIRD doesnt. I've fiddled around a bit an manage to get it showing sometimes but as I said it dissapears again. Do I have to do a search again after setting up the diseqc or should the previously present channels still work?

Oh by the way I managed to read something on that old LNB that came with my new dish - "Cambridge AE21". I got one hit from Google when I tried find out more and that was someone selling on EBAY.
rgds
dOH

[BGonaSTICK]

Don't think I'm going to be able to give you much help on this. Maybe another Topfield owner might have some better input, but it is entirely possible that you'll have to rescan Hotbird after you've changed the DiSEqC settings.

When I was messing about with the DiSEqC settings on my Dreambox, it would often 'lose' all the channel settings for a satellite (though occasionally it didn't... :?) and I would have to rescan. I'd take that as a given and rescan it. In fact, I'd set it up as a four LNB system and rescan Astra, Hotbird and then temporarily connect your Sky dish LNB to 'C' (...for Crap? LOL) and scan that too as a test. You never know when it might come in handy anyway.

Your Cambridge AE21 (don't know anything about it) may or may not be any good. If it's universal (i.e. does both low and high bands) then it may be some good. Have no idea what the noise figure would be, but probably not anywhere near as low as the latest efforts.

Give it a spin! You'll probably find that it's perfectly OK.

As always, keep us posted

[dohouch]

Its 4 AM here and the noisy people coming home from their nights entertainment might well wonder what that fellow is doing with a torch in his mouth fiddling on sat dishes on a misty night like this. Clurioser and curioser. I connected my Sky dish and put it 3 of 4. No change anywhere along the line. I then connected each dish one at time having selected the desired diseqc position. Each one registered straight away (they all have slightly different signal strength and quality so I think each terminal on switch box was functioning.
Thought I could then connect them back up but all gone again except of course "woody" ie Astra 1. Next I did the unmentionable, I disconnected "woody" and with just Hotty and Sky dish, the switch works fine.

So with the LNB changed on woody my diseqc switch is now tip top , switching effortlessly between hotty, auntie ' und sauerkraut". :clap:

Good job my dishes arnt on my roof!
rgds
dOH

Nice link for DISEqC:http://www.weethet.nl/english/sat_diseqc.php

[BGonaSTICK]

A little perseverance goes a long way

Good stuff m8.

Dishes at ground level are the way to go for a continual fiddler like me

I love my 4-way DiSEqC switch arrangement 8)