Large Install (multisat / multiswitch)

Mickie D

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First off i have to say well done on an excellent and informative forum :)

and if anyone reads my thread looking for the same infomation please read this guide posted by a member here its very imformative and explains alot !

http://www.satellites.co.uk/php-bin/forum/showthread.php?t=41947

Now my questions

i have been researching this subject for that last week, here is my plan:

i have 31 rooms that will need satellite and normal TV the house is 3 houses joined and 5 floors high across and will be 10 flats

now i think i have got the idea of how it will work and have been basing my plans on the Triax TMS 5x system.........

a quatro lnb and aerial into a 55amp, this goes into a 510 splitter which feeds 2x TMS 5x16p

i think thats correct ?

my main worry is not the install but i have to use certain silver plates (i.e double sockets, light switches, ethernet, etc) and i want to know how do i make my tv/sat plates (second fix) work with this kind of setup as i have been readin about diplexer's and triplexers and i am very confused how to fisnish the install ?

oh and if anyone has the time if i wanted say 2 dish's on this system with 8 inputs for quatro lnb's (2 dish's) would it still be able to go down one cable to the recievers ??? and how does it work ???

thank you very much for your time and look forward to your replys

Regards
Mickie D
 

rolfw

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You certainly have the basic information you need, why do you need two dishes, is it for a second satellite? If it is, then you will need a different multiswitch and two input amps.

For that type of installation (multipoint) you will need a spectrum analyser, you cannot wing it, measurements need to be correctly calculated and you need to work from a plan, you also need the requisite earth bonding and need to know what you are doing.
 

Mickie D

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London
thanks for the reply

i am part p certified and already have a 10m earth bond up there (overkill a bit but the earth run is longer than normal ;))

im not to bothered in having 2 sats i was only thinking 2 because maybe the job is in london and we are quite multi culturial and more money of course lol ;)

i would love a spectrum analyser - could you give me a link to one, im no expert at this kind of install i have installed many tv setups with boosters in loft for 8 rooms etc but this is a large install... i have also installed probably 10 sky setups (some with quad LNB's) aswell and my own moving satellite setup aswell so not a right begginner but have the basics.

so i will purchase a spectrum analyser as having the right tools for any job is important... when i bought my 500 odd quid megger i thought FFS but when a job is finished and tested propper you feel pride in the job aswell.

but if you could let me know about the diplexer or triplexer plates as im worried about if i can use the second fix equipment that the owner wants to use... i would get into trouble having to buy white satellite (or odd) faces and having silver double sockets next to it :(

thanks again
 

rolfw

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Berkshire
You can buy polished stainless steel triplexed plates, most large wholesalers will know a specialist provider. If you are looking to provide a second satellite feed, then you would be best to provide it to a separate point, as Sky digiboxes do not have DiseqC and most other satellite receivers cannot work with a Sky Digital subscription card, you can also leave some redundancy on the Sky multiswitch, so that it can be switched to the other sat outlet, in case someone wants Sky+..

You can buy a spectrum analyser HERE they start at £1200 or so for a pretty basic model, you may also be able to hire one from there or HERE

I do stress though that a basic UHF/VHF system is pretty easy to install with a small amount of knowledge, but I know of some fairly experienced aerial riggers/sat installers who would struggle with this type of setup and wisely not attempt one, there is a minefield of pitfalls out there (how's that for mixing metaphores:))
 

Mickie D

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London
yeah i guess its a big install and i wont have two satellites i will go for sky digital only and just have 1 x 63cm (no problem to put a 80 if recommended ;)) sky dish and a quatro LNB to feed the amp then splitter then into the 16 way

all my wiring is run away from mains (i mean on a completely different wall) and it runs no where near any power through the rooms as all ceilings are suspended so joists above are virtually empty.

all runs are in steel trunking and chased into the walls (not bonded onto) - the longest run is maybe 40 meters to the basement and might be lower depending on where the room positions are (so 40 is max but i doubt it will be even 40)

the satellite dish will be about 1-2 meter run from the main section in the loft i have got a water/fire proof box built for all the amps splitters - its completely earth safe by regulations and building control have inspected aswell

i know you can get forbes and lomax triplexer fixings but im not sure if the owner is going to go that far as these are very expensive indeed, im sure we can sort that out and find a comprimise as the second fixing he needs network rj45 aswell

also i never expected 1200 quid for the equipment will probably need to hire until i do have funds for this install.... before i do hire where would you find details on how to use one correctly, i mean i have a city and guilds level 1 and 2 in electronics but i have not been in that game for over 10 years so a bit rusty for sure.

i know its a big step but im willing to try and have a go i do feel comfident in my abilities but also know this is comlicated if you have any suggestions i would welcome them

thanks again

Mickie D
 

spiney

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Hello, just spotted this, glad somebody found the multiswitch info useful.

I've not anything to add, to above v good advice. All seems to be covered.

It's not really necessary to take that much trouble about enclosing cables, do they have to be especially fireproof? There are fire retardant types.

It's easy to do, but tedious, so go slowly and methodically (and use a coax cable stripper, and mind your fingers on the cable braiding, it can prick!).

You don't really need a spectrum analyser for the installation. Problems with such distributions are quite rare, especially of course for digital signals.

Note that the dtg specify "communal antenna systems" to include FM and DAB, but most people aren't bothered about these, just telly!

Remember to have enough spare outlets for Sky+ upgrades, and make it reasonably possible for Sky installers to find and connect to them.
 
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