Advice Needed Motorised Dish, 2 Receivers

Riverblue

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On my current motorised setup (1.0m CM, Jaeger 1224 H 2 H, G Box and Protek 9760 HD) I would like to add another receiver (Dr HD F15). What I want to do is to be able to switch between the receivers so that whichever one I am using it retains control of the motor. The Protek would be mainly used for watching tv and I would only switch to the Dr to have a "play" or "hunt around". If I was to insert an A-B switch in the satellite cable from the G Box to the existing receiver and then take a cable from the switch separately to the new receiver, would this achieve what I want? Also are there any remote operated A-B switches or are they manual only? Thanks for any replies :)
 

Terryl

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My experience with this, is don't do it, some receivers (not all) get really confused as to what satellite they were looking at when switched back and forth to/from the second receiver.

And trying to find an A/B switch that will work on a satellite system is tough, there are some out there but would cost a bit more then the ones for CATV or TV.

I just set them up with a main receiver controlling the motor, and the LNB run into a 4 x 4 switch, it may be a bit of a pain in the neck, not being able to control the motor from the second receiver, but that can be fixed by using an IR to UHF remote extender, that way the remote for the first receiver can be run to the second receivers location. (a second remote for the first box works wonders)

Radio Shack made a remote controlled A/B switch but it is an IR device, and haven't seen them on the market lately.
 

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Many of us use A-B Switches without any problems whatsoever and they're easily and cheaply (About £6) obtained in the UK.

They are quite happy carrying motor current and are effective at Cable Isolation.

They are necessarily Manual, with big chunky buttons.

Even my Wife can work one ..........
 

Terryl

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I find that some A/B's when used with some external Diseqc switches will pooch the switch, some of the switches can't handle the DC voltage spikes when switched between receivers, that is why I don't use them.

Lots of peeps on this side of the pond have fried their switches when using one.
 

Lazarus

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Never heard of a single failure ascribed to an A-B switch over here, whether in conjunction with a motor, DiSEqC switches or anything else. Very useful bits of kit.

A simple, effective and reliable solution to many Satellite hobbyist's problems.
 

Riverblue

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My experience with this, is don't do it, some receivers (not all) get really confused as to what satellite they were looking at when switched back and forth to/from the second receiver.

And trying to find an A/B switch that will work on a satellite system is tough, there are some out there but would cost a bit more then the ones for CATV or TV.

I just set them up with a main receiver controlling the motor, and the LNB run into a 4 x 4 switch, it may be a bit of a pain in the neck, not being able to control the motor from the second receiver, but that can be fixed by using an IR to UHF remote extender, that way the remote for the first receiver can be run to the second receivers location. (a second remote for the first box works wonders)

Radio Shack made a remote controlled A/B switch but it is an IR device, and haven't seen them on the market lately.

Both receivers will be in the same room, right next to one another! There are no other switches at all in line on the satellite cable.
 

Captain Jack

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Another option is a smart priority switch, though they are pricier than a splitter or an a/b switch. Pulsat have them. I use a simple splitter but I am careful to ensure only one receiver is switched on. Doubt there would be any damage anyway.
 

Riverblue

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Many of us use A-B Switches without any problems whatsoever and they're easily and cheaply (About £6) obtained in the UK.

They are quite happy carrying motor current and are effective at Cable Isolation.

They are necessarily Manual, with big chunky buttons.

Even my Wife can work one ..........

So basically you are saying that in your experience it should work? Any specific recommendations for make of switch?
 

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So basically you are saying that in your experience it should work? Any specific recommendations for make of switch?
Just do an eBay search "A-B Satellite" and you'll see there is a choice of one!
 

Riverblue

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Just do an eBay search "A-B Satellite" and you'll see there is a choice of one!
Thanks Tivu, I thought it should work, I just wanted to check first before I buy a switch. :)
 

Lazarus

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I have three such switches in my systems and they are really useful.
 

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Just use the loopthrough on the receiver.

I ran two TM5402s on an DiSEqC motor with this method and it works well. Just remember to switch the looped unit into standby when using the one at the end of the line.
 

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The only issue I've found with loop-through is that certain frequency bands experience too much of a loss. For example, my Uno reduced the upper band signals so much that even some strong transponders on Hot Bird wouldn't lock on the F15. This will obviously vary from receiver to receiver...

Also, when choosing the A/B switch, check to see what frequency ranges they support. Some splitters mention 1 to 1000MHz (terrestrial frequency range) whereas others are from 950-2400MHz, which is down-converted frequency range from an LNB. Whether electronics differ inside, I don't know. For the prices they go for, it's probably a 3-dipole switch in there and nothing more!
 

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The A/B switches work fine on my Dr HD F15s
 

Riverblue

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Thanks for the replies :) An A-B switch it is then, I can pick one up at the wholesalers tomorrow.
 
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