Monoblock LNB advice required

Muddler

Does anyone know whether the Satconn Monoblock 6 degree Single Universal LNB with built-in Diseqc switching always default to a particular one of it's two LNBs when no Diseqc control signal is present?

Thanks in anticipation.

rolfw

As far as I know, they default to outlet A, which has no DiseqC signal applied, we have had discussions on this before, more in relation to DiseqC switches though and don't think we came to any hard and fast conclusion.

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Muddler

Thanks for that Rolfw, your comments are along my own lines of thought. I am off now to check out the theory. Will post results later.

Thanks.

Muddler

The real life test result is finally in.

The Satconn Monoblock LNB, when viewed from the dish, in the abscence of diseqc switching commands, appears to default to the right-hand element (the elements are not labelled A and B).

In my application the LNB was required to select digital reception from Hotbird at 13 degrees or Astra 19 degrees and also a single analogue channel from Hotbird.

The digital receiver was able to supply diseqc switching commands and all worked well. The LNB signal was looped through to an aged analogue receiver not having a diseqc facility. Not under control of the digital receiver, the LNB would default to the right-hand element thereby feeding Astra channels to the analogue receiver.

I could have used a diseqc generator unit in conjunction with the analogue receiver to provide LNB switching but the additional cost could not be justified on the grounds that the Hotbird analogue channel being viewed may not be transmitted for much longer.

The temporary solution, with all risks having been considered, has been to invert the monoblock in it's holder, thereby reversing left and right-hand element operation.

Under no-diseqc control conditions, ie. for analogue use, reception now defaults to Hotbird.

I know that I have invalidated any LNB warranty cover as the device was not designed to be used upside-down. There are no drain holes in the monoblock so I figured that the manufacturer was confident that internal condensation would not be a problem with this device. I have used self-amalgamating tape as standard on cable and connector and in addition I have filled the resulting well around connector on the body of the device, with plumbers non-setting putty, a material that in certain applications, that I have found to be a superior sealant to silicone.

I have two of these set-ups in use now and both are working well. If and when the remaining analogue channel finally switches off, I always have the option of reverting the monoblocks to the correct way-up, but, I am confident that I will not need to.

Thanks for reading.