2 satellites one dish

[Willibrod]

Getting back to planning my "one-dish-two-LNBs" system, am I right in thinking I need 2 cables from each LNB to permit watching and recording at the same time, and one of these DiSeqc devices to switch between satellites? If this is correct where does the DiSeQc device go? At the bottom end of the cables adjacent to the receiver (a Humax Foxsat PVR)? Any advice re the connections (i.e. between the various equipments) would be gratefully received.

[Robbo]

The switch can go wherever you want along the cable run(s).

The best place is right close to the dish, because half as many long cable runs are needed.


For a twin feed receiver, you need at least twin LNBS. You would also need 2 two-way diseqc switches. Two wires into each, from each lnb and 1 out of each to the receiver inputs.

[agulesin]

I've just read this thread as I'm trying to set up a single dish for two satellites (I'm not located in the UK).

Will it be possible to use one dish for both Hotbird (13 E) and Turksat (42 E)? Is this spacing too wide for a single dish?

If it's possible, will I have to use a switch or is a T connector sufficient to combine the LNB feeds to the 'downlink' (cable to the receiver)? The store I asked offered two dishes, two LNBs and a T combiner.

Please let me know what you think, thanks in advance,

Abdullah S. Eyles
(Ex UK, living in Turkey)

[Robbo]

I think that the two sats are probably too far apart, but might be worth a go, depending on what size dish you need for hot bird.

You absolutely do NOT want a T combiner. You need a diseqc switch!

[agulesin]

Originally Posted by Robbo

I think that the two sats are probably too far apart, but might be worth a go, depending on what size dish you need for hot bird.

In that case, how do I calculate the spacing required between the LNBs? is there a web site which explains this?

Switch - noted with thanks....

You've probably guessed that this is my first time dealing with satellite setup, having been "on the fringe" for years I decided to dive in!

Many thanks!

[Robbo]

The angular separation of the Lnbs is the angular separation of the satellites. Also, lnb height needs to be different, again dependent on elevation difference between the satellites. Basically put roughly in the right place and then adjust to optimise.

[GoldBar]

You will find it is common in Turkey (Altinkum area) to have 3 x 90cm sat dishes for the pakages available. Usually 7W, 13E and 42E which are the current favourites.

Originally Posted by agulesin

I've just read this thread as I'm trying to set up a single dish for two satellites (I'm not located in the UK).

Will it be possible to use one dish for both Hotbird (13 E) and Turksat (42 E)? Is this spacing too wide for a single dish?

If it's possible, will I have to use a switch or is a T connector sufficient to combine the LNB feeds to the 'downlink' (cable to the receiver)? The store I asked offered two dishes, two LNBs and a T combiner.

Please let me know what you think, thanks in advance,

Abdullah S. Eyles
(Ex UK, living in Turkey)

[GHStone]

I'm new here so I hope it's okay to continue this thread with a simlar question ? It's long but given previous comments, lets get all the background info in first:

I'm in Leek North Staffordshire. My existing setup is a Triax TD78, with Inverto Universal Quad LNB, 0.3db, aligned for FreeSat/Sky. The Dish is mounted on the North Side of the house, pointing back over the roof, attached with heavy duty galvanised steel brackets and a 10ft stainless mounting pole. I have four separate cables (Webro WF100) into the loft and down the cavity to the living room, connected to 2 x Humax FreeSat HD and 2 x Unsuscribed Sky Boxes, each of which has a Tivo running AltEPG attached.

Reception is excellent, with hardly any disruption even in the most sever weather.

I bought all of the kit myself and ran all the cabling with shortish tales into the loft to allow for rerouting, splitting or whatever later, but couldn't source a pole, so got a local installer to put the dish up about 6 years ago. ie. I haven't done one myself !

Now I'd like to get access to the feeds on 19e; I can't remember who the original installer was, I called another local firm, who advised me to have another dish on the side of the house, which seems excessive and means cutting back trees and running more cable.

Q1: So, I know from reading this forum and others that it is possible to get 28e and 19e on one dish, and I think mine is big/good enough for my location, so given that what I have already works fine, if I use the Triax multi-lnb bracket, can I simply detatach the existing lnb, connect the new bracket, replace the existing lnb in the centre so it's on the same alignment and then put the new lnb on the bracket 9 degrees off centre to the East (from the front of the dish) thereby keeping my original dish alignment ?

Q2: how easy is this to - at the top of a ladder, spanning a lower single storey roof ?

Q3: if successsful this will result in more feeds, am I correct that by using diseq switches I can run more than one feed down a single cable, so I could use two of the four I already have to take all four existing feeds to the living room and use the other two for the new lnb to yet another satellite box ?

Any advice much appreciated !

Graham

[Robbo]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

I've not tried 19e as an offset with 28e at focus on the td78. I would normally focus the dish somewhere between the two. When using the triax bracket as intended, it could be difficult to do what you wanted anyway, as it's not easy to get an lnb at focus, but possible, but you'd have to check alignment on 28e, as the lnb might not be in exactly the same place.

You'd have to try it out, and see if the 19e works ok, if not bias the dish more towards 19e

It is easy enough to do, if you know how, and have good access. If you don't and it's awkward to get to, then it isn't.


Yes, you can use diseqc switches, one for each tuner/receiver. Best to put 28e on port 1, so that non diseqc capable receivers can still get 28e.

[GHStone]

Thanks Robbo,

so if I understand correctly what you are saying is that I'd be better re-aligning the dish?

I haven't got the bracket - or new lnb - yet, but as it looks like tomorrow will be fine I'll get the ladders out and see just how easy it is to get up to the dish.

then I can order the bits, and make up the the other cables while I wait for them to turn up.

Graham