Combining Ku dish with C Band

[zayden]

I currently have a standard (and uncomplicated) c band set up.

Receiver -> VBox -> cband lnbf

Not being content to leave well enough alone I have decided to add Ku capability to the mix. I am satisfied with my Titanium pll so have decided against downgrading to a c/ku combo and so have procured a motorized dish with an Invacom dual linear and dual circular lnb.

The smaller dish will be mounted in a different location from the larger dish so the question is how to combine the signals since after a little reading I understand you cannot cascade diseqc switches.

Can someone explain how to accomplish this ?

[Terryl]

You can try a two port 22 KHz switch, 22 KHz on = "C" band, 22 KHz off = "kU" band.

Make sure both dishes and all switches are grounded together at one point only, this will prevent a ground loop problem.

And make sure you keep the "C" band and "kU" band satellites separate so you don't confuse the motors.

Some satellites have both "C" and "kU" bands, you will have to double up on these satellites, take for example Galaxy 19 (97W), you will have two entry's for this bird, one labled G19 C and G19 kU, G19 C will have the 22 KHz on, G 19 kU will have it off.

[fubarito]

I currently have a standard (and uncomplicated) c band set up.

Receiver -> VBox -> cband lnbf

Not being content to leave well enough alone I have decided to add Ku capability to the mix. I am satisfied with my Titanium pll so have decided against downgrading to a c/ku combo and so have procured a motorized dish with an Invacom dual linear and dual circular lnb.

The smaller dish will be mounted in a different location from the larger dish so the question is how to combine the signals since after a little reading I understand you cannot cascade diseqc switches.

Can someone explain how to accomplish this ?

Like Terryl said use a 22khz switch. That is exactly how I have mine setup with the Vbox you are using.
The following Setup is how I personally have it with a coda 22khz switch (Look at image for reference)

C-BAND LNB to input B - menu settings leave diseqc 1.0 & 1.1 DISABLED and 22khz on OFF

KU LNB to input A - menu settings leave diseqc 1.0 & 1.1 DISABLED and 22khz on ON

Test for proper signal to make sure you setup the correct settings and inputs.

Have fun! :thumbsup:

[zayden]

Does the location in the chain matter ? Or will this work...

Receiver > 22khz switch > Port A > KU Motor > switch "X" > KU lnb

Port B > VBOX > switch "X" > C Band lnb

Where "switch x" is ? needed to combine signals from Invacom qph-031 and Titanium dual lnb

[Terryl]

Run both coaxes from each dish inside the house, then attache the new 22 KHz switch there, this will prevent and possible water intrusion problems.

The 22 KHz switch should be the last thing inline to the receiver.

It should go like this.....

Receiver.......22 KHz switch port "A"........ kU band dish motor........Diseqc switch for Linear/kU switching on small dish.....Diseqc port # 1 for Circular.....Diseqc port #2 for Linear.
Receiver.......22 KHz switch port "B".........VBOX.........."C"band LNB.....no Diseqc switching needed.

[zayden]

What switch is used between the Ku motor and Ku lnb to combine the Circular and Linear outputs ?

[Terryl]

Any Diseqc switch will do, 2 port, 4 port, they will all work.

[zayden]

Ok, if I do the same thing with the other side of the duals except bypass the motors I can run another receiver. But isn't there a switch configuration that will leverage these dual lnb's into three or more receivers ?

Thanks for the help btw.

[Terryl]

As.long as they are after the 22 KHz switch, Motor and Vbox you could use anything, a 4 x 4 switch would work fine, 3 LNB's in to 4 receivers out, but only one main receiver will be able to run the Vbox and Motor, the others would have to follow what ever satellite the Motor or Vbox has turned the satellite dish to.

You could watch a "kU" band program on 97W and a "C" band program on 125W, with the other receivers as long as the motor on the "kU" band has is pointed to 97W and the Vbox has the "C" band dish on 125W.

You cant have the other receivers try and control the motors it would FUBAR everything.

[zayden]

Because I don't understand the nature of these switches I feel like I'm trying to solve an algebra problem without knowing algebra lol.

Keeping in mind that the big dish and the little dish are nowhere near each other what is the most efficient use of switches to drive three or four receivers ?

There are two circular and two linear feeds coming off the Ku lnb. The cband lnb is a dual.

I understand only one unit can drive the dishes and the rest are captive to those satellites.

[zayden]

After much reading to get up to speed on the operation theory of the various switches I'm going to try something. A 4x4 Zinwell multiswitch at the invacom lnb (no power supply needed) with one output going through the motor. A 2x1 diseqc will be used inside the house to combine with the cband feed.

I understand this may not work but it is dependant on the hardware being used so will be giving it a try. It really is the simplest configuration to achieve the goal that I can see.

[Terryl]

The number one receiver MUST go directly to the motor or you will not be able to control it, it has to go from the receiver then to the motor the to any switch, the switch can supply as many receiver as it is capable of, but only the main receiver can control the motor..


#1 receiver.........22 KHz switch (22 KHz off)..........Motor............Switch..........kU band LNB
#1 receiver.........22 KHz switch (22 KHz on)..........Vbox...........Motor............Switc h..........C band LNB


I'm not at home or I could come up with a diagram for you, I'm out of town at the moment, it may be a few before I can stagger home.



The switch can supply as many receivers it is configured for, but the main receiver MUST go through the motor first.

[zayden]

Since the goal here is to have the capability to drive three or more receivers I need a multiswitch near the Invacom lnb which has a 22khz switch built in. That's why I can't have one to switch between Ku/C bands. For that I will use a regulator diseqc switch after each recever.

It may or may not work depending on the hardware involved but I'm willing to try.

[zayden]

Bought two Emp Centauri switches from Czecholslovakia that claim to be diseqc 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 compliant and will automatically configure themselves to work with other switches. Will report back my findings after I install them.