Switch setup - what to use

[Murkatz]

I have a Dreamlink unit and have five LNBs scanning 82, 91, 110, 119, and 129 SATS.
For those who are doing the same, what sort of switch setup are you using to go into your receiver?

Thanks in advance.

[StanW]

To a large extent the answer depends on the type of lnbs that you are using.

[Terryl]

All the same type/brand of LNB's?

Or are they from different manufactures/providers?

If all DP single LNB's (one LNB per satellite) then 2 of any type 4x1 Diseqc switch could be used, one to go between 82 and 91, then one between 110, 119 and 129, and then a 22 kHz switch to go between the two Diseqc switches.

Switching setup for each satellite could be.

Diseqc #1 = 82, 22 kHz off
Diseqc #2 = 91, 22 kHz off
Diseqc #1 = 110, 22 kHz on
Diseqc #2 = 119, 22 kHz on
Diseqc #3 = 129, 22 kHz on

If a DP twin LNB (two satellites, one LNB) or a Dish 1000 LNB (three satellites, one LNB) is in use then you can't use any type of switch, those would fight each other for control.

[StanW]

If they're all singles one diseqc and a sw21 or 22khz would suffice . Four lnbs to diseqc , one to sw21/22khz . From diseqc to sw21/22khz and from there to receiver.

[Terryl]

Thats another way to dood it......

[Murkatz]

Thanks to all who have replied. I'll take a closer look at my LNBs in the daylight. :)
The guy who did my setup originally has gone AWOL. He used a 4x1 switch and a 2x1 switch.
He put 81 and 92 in the 2x1 switch (with 81 in the 22khz input). And then he ran a cable from that switch to the LNB 4 input on the 4x1 switch. In the remaining inputs on the 4x1 switch, He put 119 in LNB 1, 110 in LNB 2, and 129 in LNB 3. He then ran a cable from the 4x1 switch to my receiver. On the receiver, my settings were (all on DiSEqC SW 1.0)
Port 1 = 119
Port 2 = 110
Port 3 = 129
Port 4 = 91
Port 4 = 82 22 KHz on

I had to take my receiver in to get it repaired and when I tried to set it back up like this it wouldn't work. No matter if I had Port 1, 2, or 3 selected, it would lock on 129.

Was this a good setup and should it be working?

[StanW]

The setup you have is fine. If you did not power off (switch on back or disconnect power cord) the receiver prior to disconnecting the coax cable you probably fried the diseqc switch.

Replacing it should get you back up. Remember to power of the receiver prior to connectivity or disconnecting any cables.

[gladiater]

why not use a 8n1 disq if you have the proper lnb's avail at ebay for around $15.

[Terryl]

Good idea Gladiater, but some receivers do not support Diseqc 2.0 or the correct switching matrix for Diseqc 1.1 as of yet.

If his receiver does then he is set to go.

[aceallenk]

What I used is a 8x1 switch and this works excellent. The switch was around $15.00. Got it from World Wide Satellite. I used the DISEqC 1.1 setting on receiver and has never missed a beat.

[gladiater]

Good idea Gladiater, but some receivers do not support Diseqc 2.0 or the correct switching matrix for Diseqc 1.1 as of yet.

If his receiver does then he is set to go.


his receiver is a dl h/d it supports s.w 1.1 ok

[gladiater]

world wide a great company "aceallenk" but the seller on ebay ships for free (some folks don't like paying a shipping charge as much as the product)

[aceallenk]

My reference to WW Satellite was to provide a site to view the 8x1 switch for $15.00. I never saw you had that same ideal posted earlier. I say shop where you want, across the street would be the...

[Murkatz]

Thanks everyone,
I think it is a possibility that I might have damaged the switch as I think I might not have powered down during one of the many times I was fooling with it.

I tried a 8x1 recently and it didn't work. The place I picked it up from said I might need more power for the two HD SATS going in, which I don't see as things were working before. The guy also said you couldn't have two HDs on the same switch, or something like that.

Maybe I was doing something wrong. My unit does support SW 1.1, it allows 16 inputs. Do you just set ports 1 to 5 all the same?

I noticed on both the 4x1 and 8x1 switches some frequency ratings (I failed physics). I looked on EBay and some switches don't have anything. Are they all standard or do these ratings matter.

I'll try and get a new 4x1 switch and an 8x1 switch and try all the suggestions everyone has made. Thanks so much!

[StanW]

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the individual that sold you the switch. Lol
If you decide to go with a 4 port diseqc get a chieta wsd2041, they are well made and withstand the elements.

[aceallenk]

I only use the 8x1 switch which are numbered (A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H) and A=82, B=91, C=110,D=119, E=129. and on my receiver usind DISqC 1.1 my settings are A=1,B=3,C=2,D=4,E=5. Thats just how they fell in order to get locked on the birds. This switch works perfectly for me, hope you get yours working. This switch is been a godsend for convenience.

[Murkatz]

One last question. If you are getting the "Bad Signal" message, is that a switch, an LNB, a receiver, or an Internet server issue?
Is it different from the Scambled Channel message and if so, how? I know...that's two questions. :)

[phantom2013]

You have the same setup as me. I get bad signal message whenever I change the channel from an HD (129) to any standard channel. I would use the remote to power off then on. Then it locks into the channel.
So when I am scanning the channels in I always do 129 last.

I recently added a 22khz switch to support 82. Not all channels are being detected. I am waiting for the weather to clear before I try the SW21.

have you tried to replace your module back to the non HD to see if the bad signal goes away.

[Murkatz]

I tried the 8x1 switch with the same setup as aceallenk, and the first three scans went fine, but when I tried to get 119 to lock on port 4, it gave me blue bars for a while and then locked on to 129 instead. Could my 119 LNB be broken? No matter what port I set 119 to, then 129 locks on instead.

[StanW]

What happens when you place 129 on a different port ? Disconnect 129 altogether ?

[Murkatz]

When I disconnect 129, I can't get anything for 119. Just orange bars. Should I try another port?

[Terryl]

Please list the brand(s) and type(s) of LNB's you have, some don't play nice together, also grounding the switch may help a lot.

[phantom2013]

Swap your lnb 129 with 119.
This will rule out switch and lnb.

[Ineedanewusersname]

Little off topic but if switch is not "making" then you can receive a bad signal.

This is probably do to a bad grounding loop which will not let the switch completely drop out (collapse) and this keeps the other end of the switch arm 1/2, 3/4, etc. from "making" and completing the circuit.

Make sure power is off at STB and then see if you can pull the ends off of the cables and then double check your entry and dish grounds (if you have)


You have the same setup as me. I get bad signal message whenever I change the channel from an HD (129) to any standard channel. I would use the remote to power off then on. Then it locks into the channel.
So when I am scanning the channels in I always do 129 last.

I recently added a 22khz switch to support 82. Not all channels are being detected. I am waiting for the weather to clear before I try the SW21.

have you tried to replace your module back to the non HD to see if the bad signal goes away.

[gladiater]

why not trying to scan each sat first,then add your switch! just switch the lnb ,see what happens