Astra 2 - Single or Twin Output LNB?

garym71

If am about to order some some fixed dish satellite equipment that will be able to receive Astra 2 (28E), Astra 1 (19E), and Hotbird (13E). This is going to consist of an 85cm Transparent dish with 3 LNB's on a Triax 20 degree perfect fit rigid multi bracket.

The question I have is that the LNB pointing to Astra 2 was going to simply just be a single output LNB connected to my existing Sky receiver. However, I am now thinking that it might be a better idea to order a Twin LNB instead so I can connect one output to my Sky receiver and the other output to the DiSEqC switch which would be going to a Technomate 7755 2VA2CI receiver. Would there be any advantage in doing this (i.e. any additional channels I could pick up on the Techomate from Astra 2 that I couldn't get on my Sky receiver) or should I just stick with my original plan of just connecting a single output LNB for Astra 2 to the Sky receiver?

Thanks,
Gary

Robbo

Hi,
I don't think there are any extra channels particularly.
But an advantage of using a non-sky box is that you can put the FTA channels in the order that you want.
And you haven't got to wade through all the dross that is on the SKY epg. Also any regional channels would be more accessible also.

Also if you did happen to find two FTA channels you wanted to see on 28.2E, you would be able to watch one and record the other.

garym71

Thanks Robbo Exactly what I was thinking myself. So I will think I will just get a Twin LNB for the receiveing Astra 2 which will then give me a bit more flexibility with both the Technomate and Sky boxes

rolfw

Go for a quad and run two feeds to the Sky digibox, then you will be prepared should you decide to go for Sky+ at a later date.

PS. Please don't put live links to satellite or other businesses, unless they are our paid advertisers.

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garym71

Good idea. I've currently only got standard Sky but making it future proof now isn't a bad idea. If I don't use all 4 outputs on the LNB at installation time then is there a good way to blank off the unused F-connector outputs to stop them the weather attacking them?

P.S. Sorry about the web link. I only put this up to indicate which system I was actually talking about. I have now removed the said link from my first post

rolfw

No problem with the link Gary, as long as it isn't parsed, just put an underscore _ before the HTTP and it won't parse.

You can just use some self amalgamating tape, but put it on before you mount the LNB, as it is very difficult after the connectors are on.

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