[Allan B]

With the levels you are reporting at the Multiswitch input (if I am reading this correctly, 94% on Channel 130), then I doubt that the correct LNBF will or can make much difference, all your signal loss is in the Cable.

Your loss appears to be switch related or the second length of cable.

An inline Amp should be placed closer to the IRD than the Dish, in your case I would just try them on the output of the Multiswitch, as the Input is already 94%. Would be interested to know the signal level on the Output of that Multiswitch, to eliminate it as your loss.

As you are saying 94% at Multiswitch Input, adding a 2nd Multiswitch should be as easy as using 4 x 2 way Splitter of 3Ghz one per Input.

EDIT, I always though Shaw used Eagle Aspen 5 x 8 Switch's ?

2nd EDIT, Well, they now use the Pico Macom TSMS-4/8 4x8 multiswitch, just had this confirmed by a Shaw Installer.

 

[skifan]

Hey Jim....were the signal measurements, made after the Multiswitch, measured for each output? Were all downstream cables removed in case one or more of them were loading down the switch in some way?

A couple of other thoughts:

- Your test 605 receiver may be supplying a better output voltage / current to power the LNB than your multiswitch.....if so this may be inhibiting output performance of the lnb.

- If your RG6 cable to the LNB is copper clad over steel centre conductor, the DC resistance is much higher than a solid copper conductor. This may reduce the available voltage available at the LNB.

- I wonder if the new Xku lnb draws more power than the older unit? This may come into play regarding the above two points. You mentioned earlier about a multiswitch getting warmer than in the past.....this may be a clue to the need for more LNB power.

Sure hope you can sort this out.....complicated issue for sure. Good Luck.

 

[ExDilbert]

There is definitely something odd going on with that switch. If all else fails, maybe another make of switch will work better.

 

[Jimsathome]

The Quagmire Continues...

Hi Gents,

Thanks for the suggestions to date. ExDilbert asked "Is the center conductor on the cables long enough to make contact in the switch?"

That is one detail I overlooked and it could be as simple as that => at least for some of the missed channels, but maybe I'm just grasping at straws. I will check that anyway tomorrow.

I bought a new Phillips Multiswitch as it would be a direct drop in for the old one. There is a green LED that lights up when power is applied (and yes both work). The Phillips SDW5058 Multiswitch is Direct TV certified which was the same specifications as Shaw Direct. I chose it as it was outdoor rated and the Eagle Aspen wasn't years ago. There's about half a dozen multiswitches out there that meet the spec that I've seen on the web. Anyway the new or old Phillips SDW5058 Multiswitch gave exactly the same poor results. Perhaps it struggles with the G1 frequencies but they seem to come through fine during testing, and it is rated to 2150 MHz.

The RG6 cable to the LNB is copper clad on a steel centre conductor, but remember this whole system => Cables, Phillips SDW5058 Multiswitch, F Connectors, and Dish all worked reasonably well with the old the old Quad LNB (STAR75-ASC-001) for about 6 years. It was adequate but didn't give the new G1 Channels. The issue started when I mistakenly believed an Installer who sold me a SHAW60E-G1 for a 75e Dish instead of the specified SHAW75E-G1 xKU: and I installed it. I think we need to install a new SHAW75E-G1 LNB and start from there.

I made a mistake earlier discussing the neighbor's equipment. I should have said => Three of the Multiswitch outputs go inside the Cabin, and nicely feed a 630 and a 605. Four of the Multiswitch outputs go another 300 feet to the neighbor's house, and feed his 630 and TWO 605s - not just one. Sorry. :wink

Skifan, the signal measurements were made after the Multiswitch, measured for each output => and duplicated on the new Multiswitch. All downstream cables removed and left Open in case one or more of them was loading down the switch in some way.

I did not use terminators on any connections during the test, and I leave the 5th input and 8th output on the Multiswitch Open during operation with no ill effects. I wonder if the standard is to use 75 ohm terminators here? Is there any improvement with them?

By the way we also get crappy numbers at the Cabin for the Radio Stations carried (Channel 836 and above) and the neighbor can't get them at all anymore.

A few minutes ago the neighbor came by the Cabin, and advised he tried to call Shaw Direct last night to get the Service Call confirmed (as the Supervisor never called him) and spent over an hour on hold => and then gave up. He said there was no option to enter a call back number.

He tried again this morning and got through after less than 10 minutes. The Lady who answered was very pleasant and after she reviewed the file announced this install was beyond their coverage area, and they wouldn't send a Tech or switch the LNB to a SHAW75E-G1 unless he paid for the tech (at $79 per hour) and the SHAW75E-G1 ($75). She had no idea why the other office (Montreal) would offer this for Free, but said the neighbor should go back to the the old Quad LNB (STAR75-ASC-001) and he'd be able to get all of the channels including those on G1! She confirmed that I am permitted to call on my neighbor's behalf, and the notes are very clear on what they offered when I talked to them.

The neighbor suggested she check with the other folks on what they said they'd do as he is getting more fed up with the lack of support, or even parts, and is thinking of cancelling his account. She said that was in the file too! She said she'd have a Tech call him tomorrow, so he'll come and get me so both of us can sit on the call.

I hope we can get this sorted quickly as I'm probably headed back to Vancouver on Thursday, and don't have any plan to be up here again for months.:frown

 

[skifan]

Hi Jim....I would still be looking at those power issues I mentioned in my earlier post. Normally power available at the LNB would not be an issue but with the new LNB and with your long runs to the dish, even from the cabin, you may well have enough voltage drop to be a concern.

The fact that you have decent signal without the first multi-switch and instead powered from the test 605 suggests it may have a bit more power output than that brand of switch. A combination of the DC resistance of the cables to the dish and possible higher power draw of the new LNB might be part of your problem.

As a test.....With the multi-switch connected normally, you might want to insert a DC pass through splitter on one of the leads to the dish, and use the test 605 to power that input. If indeed low voltage at the dish is an issue, that might add enough additional current to supplement the multi-switch power.

 

[Jimsathome]

Ended Up @ Customer Retentions...

Hi Gents,

This morning I reworked the multiswitch installation as I never really liked how I initially installed it. I also put on a new AquaTight connector on one of the cables from the Dish, and in general tidied it all up so the radius of all the cables are within normal parameters. I put dust caps on the unused connections => not Terminators as I have no feedback on their usefulness in this application. By the time I finished it was about 33°C, and I checked the multiswitch and it was hot. (It was unplugged during the rewiring.) I decided to check it again after the sun was off it tonight, and it was cooler, but still not where I think it should be. (I left my infra-red thermometer at home of course...:frown)

The neighbor and I called Shaw Direct, and got a quick call back. We went though half an hour with the gent in technical assistance on the phone who seemed to see the light after a while, and agreed the specified SHAW75E-G1 xKU was needed. He said he'd send one if the neighbor agreed to pay $89.99 plus taxes, shipping, etc. I said that wouldn't be acceptable, and asked for Customer Retentions.

After a pause or two and some questions, he put us through to the Customer Retention Department. After another 40 minutes with her going over the whole story, including being on hold for 10 minutes, she agreed this was an un-serviced Shaw Direct area and would send the SHAW75E-G1. :grin

The neighbor asked who they would ship it with, and I think the courier was Purolator. (By then I was tired of being on the phone.) Anyway, the neighbor said they don't deliver up here, so the Lady suggested they'd ship it to a friend in Kamloops if that would work better. So after another 5 minutes getting the address details she said it will take 7=>10 business days to arrive. :crying

But at least that is behind us. I'll come back up and install the new LNB after it arrives, as the neighbor is going to Vancouver Island for a couple weeks for a retired Fire Fighter's convention next week. I know I have some business in the area so it won't be hard to stay a night here at the Cabin, and get it done.

In the meantime, tomorrow I will again swap out the multiswitch just to see it it rises in temperature like the old one.

Skifan, I agree the present LNB may be starving from low voltage but hope the change to a new SHAW75E-G1 will be enough to push it onto the green side for most channels. There was a major shift in signal across all the channels going from a 60e to a 75e dish with the Quad LNB; and I'm hoping for something positive here.

If not I'll go back to the drawing board and look at all options I can find, and inserting a DC pass through splitter on one of the leads could be one the first I try. I also know there are commercial amplifiers available that can replace the multiswitch, but I've got know idea where to get one.

Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions to date. Keep you fingers crossed the SHAW75E-G1 is the solution to our present woes. :wink

 

[Jimsathome]

Got the SHAW75E-G1 LNB installed but...

Hi Folks,

We arrived for a few days of vacation at the Cabin. After spending an anxious couple of hours repairing the water pump (it pumps from the Lake) which decided to fail at midnight just after we went to bed the first night :surprise, I spent the rest of yesterday plodding through all the checks at the 75e Dish (with it's SHAW60E-G1 xKU LNB), cables, and Multiswitch that I could think of. Reading were taken with our HDDSR 605 (even the channels we don't receive but the neighbor does) connected into the system by about 40 feet of some very low loss RG6 cable (that is from our Cellular Amplifier System).

I used the far right output from LNB as I'd used the far left one when it was installed. Channels listed are from my neighbor's wife as the ones they'd like to get in addition to the HD sports channels and the rest that come in fine. She loves her Baseball. (The Cabin and neighbor have two different mapping. Classic / Advanced just to add a bit of confusion.)

Here' the numbers at the Dish.

Cabin--Neighbor---Signal---Ecb No.

130------630---------94-------7.5
354------009---------98-------9.7
368------068---------94-------7.1
374------091---------98-------9.6
512------156---------98-------10.6
523------165---------98-------9.6
567------190---------98-------9.8
568------191---------97-------9.2
564------192---------97-------9.0
565------196---------98-------10.1
615------212---------98-------9.9
002------502---------82-------8.1
006------506---------88-------9.7
007------507---------88-------9.7
009------509---------88-------9.7
127------627---------95-------7.8


I was going to tweak the dish but when I "flexed" it in any direction the numbers just got worse. Of course I checked a few other channels like 700, 299, 70, etc., which were rock solid. So I made sure all connections were solid, wiped the dust off the LNB and dish surface and called it good.

Here' the numbers at the Cabin - before the Multiswitch. For this set of data, it is from the cable I typically connect to the 18v input of the multiswitch. After documenting the info, I reviewed each one for the remaining feeds from the LNB, and these numbers are very typical of all of them +/- a digit or two at most.

Cabin--Neighbor---Signal---Ecb No.

130------630---------90-------6.7
354------009---------97-------8.9
368------068---------95-------8.0*
374------091---------97-------8.8
512------156---------98-------9.7
523------165---------97-------9.5
567------190---------97-------9.2
568------191---------96-------8.3
564------192---------97-------8.8
565------196---------97-------9.1
615------212---------97-------9.2
002------502---------88-------9.8*
006------506---------88-------9.6
007------507---------88-------9.7
009------509---------87-------9.5
127------627---------96-------8.2

Here' the numbers at the Cabin => 300+ feet away from the Dish- after the Multiswitch.

Cabin--Neighbor---Signal---Ecb No.

130------630---------75-------3.6 <===
354------009---------82-------4.9 <===
368------068---------84-------5.0 <===
374------091---------86-------5.9
512------156---------89-------6.3
523------165---------94-------6.5
567------190---------90-------6.5
568------191---------68-------2.6 <===
564------192---------90-------6.7
565------196---------78-------4.2 <===
615------212---------81-------4.8 <===
002------502---------81-------8.1
006------506---------83-------8.7
007------507---------84-------8.9
009------509---------80-------8.1
127------627---------94-------7.5

The last set shocked me as I expected the numbers after the multiswitch to be much better. Some channels are downright awful. And that's before they go another 300 feet to the neighbor's house. The Phillips 5x8 muiltiswitch is supposed to give a little boost to the signal to overcome insertion losses.

So I thought I had the ah-ha moment => a dying multiswitch, just as the Shaw Direct folks had told the neighbor => but I had doubted. So as I had bought a new replacement, I installed it expecting all would be good. But not so fast Kemosabbee => the numbers were exactly the same! :crying

All of the cable connections so far are those Aquatight compression fittings. I made certain they are all good and snug. From the multiswitch side feeding to the neighbor's house there are also all Aquatights. One of his cables is the indoor white cable which should be replaced but that doesn't explain how come the signals fall off a cliff after passing through the multiswitch.

For example:

Before the Multiswitch it's not stellar but decent at:

Cabin--Neighbor---Signal---Ecb No.

130------630---------90-------6.7

But right after it's crap:

130------630---------75-------3.6 <=== I have no idea why.

I had checked earlier, and this is not off G1 so the new Bird is not impacting here. So therefore this should be transmitted lower than the 1450 MHz the old Quad LNB was rated at. I've got no theories or idea as to why this is happening.

I talked to the neighbor and said he should call Shaw Direct and get them to send a Tech to change out the SHAW60E-G1 xKU LNB for the correct SHAW75E-G1 xKU LNB, so at least we could maximize the signal to the Multiswitch maybe a little more.

I'm at a loss what to do after that. Can you suggest anything? If there an amplifier we could install before or after the multiswitch, to overcome the next 300 feet to the neighbor's house so they can get these channels?

Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks for the assist.

Hi Gents,

Earlier this week I made the trek to the Cabin again as I had business meetings in the area. The neighbor had dropped off the new SHAW75E-G1 xKU LNB as he was off on vacation in his Motor Home to Vancouver Island and points down south. I swapped out the SHAW60E-G1 just as it was getting dark, and started to rain a bit. (Summer is definitely waning...) There was substantial cloud cover and overall it was tough to get the Dish dialed in after the swap. It wasn't a simple case of just plugging in the new SHAW75E-G1 and all would be good. The reading were taken inside the cabin, and not at the multiswitch as before, due to darkness and rain. (My Mom didn't raise no fools :laugh )

Here's the SHAW75E-G1

and here's the SHAW60E-G1

Note the significant physical differences. I'm still bewildered how naive I was to believe the veteran installer (18 years he said) that they were the same. (What a scammer!)

Anyway, here' the numbers at the Dish and inside Cabin => 300+ feet away from the Dish- after the Multiswitch with the correct SHAW75E-G1 LNB.

Here' the numbers at the Dish.

Cabin--Neighbor---Signal---Ecb No.

130------630---------92-------7.1
354------009---------97-------9.1
368------068---------97-------8.9
374------091---------98-------9.1
512------156---------98-------10.7
523------165---------98-------10.1
567------190---------97-------9.4
568------191---------97-------9.0
564------192---------97-------9.5
565------196---------98-------9.9
615------212---------98-------10.0
002------502---------91-------10.3
006------506---------91-------10.3
007------507---------91-------10.3
009------509---------91-------10.3
127------627---------97-------9.3


Inside Cabin => 300+ feet away from the Dish- after the Multiswitch

Cabin--Neighbor---Signal---Ecb No.

130------630---------77-------4.1 <===
354------009---------87-------6.1 <===
368------068---------95-------7.8 <===
374------091---------89-------6.4
512------156---------95-------7.9
523------165---------96-------8.3
567------190---------95-------7.7
568------191---------84-------5.4 <===
564------192---------95-------7.5
565------196---------90-------6.7 <===
615------212---------92-------7.1 <===
002------502---------88-------9.8
006------506---------88-------9.7
007------507---------88-------9.8
009------509---------89-------9.9
127------627---------97-------8.9


And the music stations were decent now after the multiswitch inside the Cabin

Here' the numbers inside the Cabin => 300+ feet away from the Dish- after the Multiswitch.

Ch--At Dish-Signal-Ecb No.-Cabin--Signal Ecb No.

905------97---------9.2------94---------7.5
906------97---------9.3------95---------7.6
910------97---------9.4------92---------7.1
916------97---------9.4------93---------7.2
921------97---------9.3------93---------7.2
930------97---------9.1------92---------7.1
938------97---------9.2------93---------7.1

These channels were chosen at random, and I think one or two may not be music, as it said we were not subscribed to them. I thought everyone got all the music channels.

This post is getting long so I'll leave my analysis to another.

Thanks for reading along so far.

 

[ExDilbert]

The thing that strikes me is how some channels have a marked drop in signal and others do not. It's as if the switch cannot handle some of them due to the frequency or some other factors. Maybe the switch is obsolete and cannot handle the dual LNB properly. I don't know the technical details of Shaw's current technology but I do know that adding extra channels or satellites can sometimes result in higher intermediate frequencies being used. I would try another switch, preferably a model that is currently being used by Shaw. Switches typically maintain signal levels, not create a loss.

 

[Jimsathome]

Temperature?

Thanks for the post. Your thoughts parallel my initial analysis exactly. But I'm pretty sure Channel 130 /630 is off an old bird and not G1; and supposedly has decent reception according to the neighbor.

Cabin--Neighbor---Signal---Ecb No.
130------630---------77-------4.1

Only occasionally did he lose the signal with the old Quad LNB, but was able to switch to a show in Standard Definition. Whatever is happening at the Multiswitch seems peculiar to the Phillips unit we have installed, not that it's defective, just that it's inherent in the design. Strange that it worked fine for 6 years and even the new one does the same.

I forgot to post the temperature readings I took. After installing the new LNB I let it run overnight and took the readings in the morning before the Sun hit the case. The siding adjacent to the case was 7.6° C; the Case was 18° C and the multiswitch was between 30 =>39° C depending where I took the readings. I wonder if anyone else ever took these measurements on another multiswitch? They could be a helpful reference.

I'll try to figure out what Bird each of the poor channels is on, just in case we become somehow enlightened.

 

[kidvegas]

I read this thread in it's entirety last night while I was trying to dull myself to sleep. I then had a vivid dream about it, like I was part of the process. I know nothing about most of this satellite stuff, but the problem was solved in the dream. There was a shielding stringer shorting the center conductor in one of the connectors, and as the cable aged, it caused more of a problem at certain frequencies. IRL while reading, I literally cringed over the 6 year span of this thread every time you mentioned your neighbor fiddling with fittings.

I helped run new solid copper lines (because I read somewhere that not using solid copper can cause gremlins in satellite systems) and all the signal levels shot up above and beyond what they ever were.

No clue what I'm talking about, but I often solve my OTA and other technological problems by accident when I take the issue to bed with me and wake up with inspiration to try what my gut tells me.

 

[ExDilbert]

We've discussed bad terminations, cable shorts, water in the cables and center conductors being too short. It's a good idea but I believe the output on the switch is being measured with no lines attached. If it isn't, that should be tried. If that's the issue, the bad cable might be found by adding them back one at a time.

@Jimsathome, it might be useful to know the frequency of each channel (or a good cross section of them) and chart signal strength vs frequency before and after the switch.

 

[Jimsathome]

Next Steps => A New Multiswitch?

Gents,

If you can read all 6 years of this post in one sitting without falling asleep, my hat's off to you. :wink

I've attempted to have the investigation be methodical, starting with installing the correct the LNB and alignment of the Dish, and IMHO we've narrowed it down to the Multiswitch. Poor values are found right after the Multiswitch, and not before it. We've checked for bad terminations, cable shorts, and center conductors being too short. I have not checked for water in the cables, as the signals before the Multiswitch (which is mounted on the Cabin which is 300+ feet from the Dish ) are very good, so no indication of excess losses from that are indicated. The output of the multiswitch is being measured with no other output lines attached => except a low loss good test length of RG.

It's never a bad idea to go back and check terminations and I've done so with a vengeance. And we will continue to do so, if / when we change out the multiswitch. We could replace all the cables from the Dish to the multiswitch with outdoor solid core RG6 Quad Shield, but how much would we gain. In the table below, these are the channels deemed most important to the neighbor. Every channel at the Cabin that we checked (including music) is fine, but the goal is to get the neighbor reliable signals for the long winter ahead. (The Cabin is only used seasonally and then very lightly. Of course I'd like to use it more, but work and other family obligations get in the way these days.) My target has always been to have all channels meet the minimum acceptable standards that Shaw Installers must hit.

According to the Shaw Self Install Manual: "If your receiver installer menu displays signal strength of between 80 and 90%, you have successfully aligned the dish to the Shaw
Direct satellite." There is no mention of Ecb /No values, but Installers who have posted advise their employers require them to have 6.0 or 6.5 as the minimum. Below is the last table I posted. The "<===" previously indicated favorite neighbor channels below this threshold with the wrong SHAW60E-G1 xKU LNB.

Cabin--Neighbor---Signal---Ecb No.

130------630---------77-------4.1 <===
354------009---------87-------6.1 <===
368------068---------95-------7.8 <===
374------091---------89-------6.4
512------156---------95-------7.9
523------165---------96-------8.3
567------190---------95-------7.7
568------191---------84-------5.4 <===
564------192---------95-------7.5
565------196---------90-------6.7 <===
615------212---------92-------7.1 <===
002------502---------88-------9.8
006------506---------88-------9.7
007------507---------88-------9.8
009------509---------89-------9.9
127------627---------97-------8.9

The new SHAW75E-G1 xKU LNB made a significant improvement and there are only a few needing more remediation (at least in the Cabin) Reducing it down to just those channels with an Ecb /No value below 6.5 give:

130------630---------77-------4.1 <===
354------009---------87-------6.1 <===
374------091---------89-------6.4 <===
568------191---------84-------5.4 <===

If we used just signal strength, as per the Shaw manual, only one channel (my neighbor's favorite :crying ) would remain:

130------630---------77-------4.1 <===

But I'm expecting the losses in the next 300 feet of RG6 + connections over to the neighbors Receivers from the Multiswitch to put much more channels in jeopardy.

I'm still chewing on if I should buy another new Multiswitch, but this time a 4x8 Pico Macom TSMS-4/8 which is the Shaw Direct current specification. It'll be about $100 by the time I get it sent here. My work will take me to the Cabin next weekend, and I doubt I'll have any chance of it arriving before then, and therefore I don't think I'll have to rush this decision. However, as Autumn is upon us this week, the weather will soon turn cold, and I'll need to winterize the Cabin. (We typically don't stay there at all during the winter.) And my business rationale for visiting the Kamloops area also will be finished (at least for the foreseeable future) so it may be a case of getter done next weekend - somehow...:surprise

 

[Jimsathome]

A Gambler's Life it will be...

Hi Gents,

I looked about but couldn't find a Pico Macom TSMS-4/8 on sale retail in Vancouver, so I looked on line. I found one in Calgary, and another in Ontario, but thought by the time a supplier got it processed and shipped to me, it may not make it here before Friday. As I'm planning to install it on Saturday at the Cabin.

So I tried some Satellite installation Services on Craigslist. Tony, the second guy I called said he would pick one up from his supplier today while he was en route from his home in Surrey to an all day Bell job in Burnaby (He said he's an independent installer and does all sorts of Satellite installs). He called after his day was done, and we arranged to meet part way on his route home. He said his supplier was all out of the Pico Macom TSMS-4/8, but had a Steren 201-747 4x8 Sky Switcher Multi-Switch which he "guarantees" will do the job, or he'll give me my money back. He said he worked for Shaw Direct as an installer for 1.5 years and they often gave him the Steren 201-747 by the case to use for his installs. He said he'd never had a call back for one failing. He said he'd been installing Satellite Dishes for 9 years, and the back of his Honda Odyssey Mini Van was packed with tools, cable, dishes, and ladders.

So, without a lot of options as I'm up against the clock again, I bought it. I remembered in my search on Multiswitches, other than the center label, it looked identical to the Pico Macom TSMS-4/8 to me. Sames cast zinc case that's nickel plates, same silver plated F connectors, location for ground screw, input labels, output labels, power insert label and location, etc. I also remember the specs seemed similar as well. What do you think?

Here's a photo of the Steren 201-747 4x8 Sky Switcher Multi-Switch

And here's a photo of a Pico Macom TSMS-4/8

They are both made in China so it's entirely possible at the same factory and just rebranded with a slight tweak on the official specs. I hope someone (a Shaw Installer?) would chime in with their opinion / experience with the Steren 201-747 4x8 Sky Switcher Multi-Switch.

Thanks for the assist.

 

[ExDilbert]

The case certainly looks like it was made in the same mould. Chances are that the whole item is just a slight variation made for different distributors. (The Sky branding might refer to Sky TV in the UK.) It could easily be like the difference between Dish and Bell satellite equipment. There is none except for the label. In any case, if it doesn't work a refund is available.

 

[Allan B]

All I have seen in the UK for SKY TV installations of 6 or 8 lines/tuners are the ridiculous "Octo" LNBF's, yep, you guessed it, an 8 Output LNBF.

Not sure how many of you would like to have 8 coaxial cables running down your wall.....lol

 

[Jimsathome]

The case certainly looks like it was made in the same mould. Chances are that the whole item is just a slight variation made for different distributors. (The Sky branding might refer to Sky TV in the UK.) It could easily be like the difference between Dish and Bell satellite equipment. There is none except for the label. In any case, if it doesn't work a refund is available.

It's says it's Direct TV Phase III compatible, so I think it's directed at that market; just like the Pico Macom TSMS-4/8.

Wish me luck, I'm driving up "The Highway from Hell" (Coquihalla HWY #5) tomorrow. Thankfully the forecast is just for rain and not snow.

I'll probably advise from there on how the install of the Steren 201-747 4x8 Sky Switcher Multi-Switch went, and hopefully what improvement it made on the readings.

 

[ExDilbert]

I hope that octopus LNB is for MDUs and not single family residences. Good luck with the installation.

 

[Jimsathome]

Thanks.

This could be plan B (or is it C or D...)

 

[Jimsathome]

Tossing Shaw Direct, and going to Cable? OMG!!!

Hi Folks,

I really need some help now as the neighbor is thinking of tossing Shaw Direct, and going to Cable. I feel like I've really let him down. The channels listed are the only ones that seem to matter to him and his wife; especially his favorite AMC (130 /630). I've only been able to be at the Cabin maybe 10 nights this year (less last year) so this isn't really about our needs, but the neighbor lives here year round. And the winters can be long, and shall we say "crisp". Satellite TV has been one of their few pleasures most winter nights.

I decided to take some baseline settings before the installation of the Steren 201-747 4x8 Sky Switcher Multi-Switch, but they were virtually the same as the last set I posted earlier so I won't bore you with those.

Below, on the left is the data at the Cabin, right after the Steren using a 5 foot section of cable connected to my neighbor's 605. (All other outputs were not connected.) The new Steren did impact almost all the values significantly. (And I even changed the Multiswitch power supply in case the old one wasn't up to spec.) The values in Green, on the right, are the only ones which came in when I connected a single continuous RG6 Cable (The neighbor said there are no connectors or splices from the multiswitch. It's installed in plastic conduit with 3 other cables so I can't check. One continuous cable all the way to the rear of the 605 => 300 feet away from the multiswitch. All other outputs were not connected.)


Cabin--Neighbor---Signal---Ecb No.---Signal---Ecb No. at Neighbors

130------630---------87-------4.1
354------009---------95-------6.1
368------068---------96-------7.8
374------091---------95-------6.4
512------156---------96-------7.9
523------165---------96-------8.3
567------190---------97-------7.7
568------191---------90-------5.4
564------192---------95-------7.5
565------196---------88-------6.2
615------212---------94-------7.5
002------502---------90-------10.1===>95-------7.6
006------506---------90-------10.1===>87-------9.5
007------507---------90-------10.2===>87-------9.7
009------509---------90-------10.1===>86-------9.3
127------627---------97-------9.2====>97-------8.8
823------823---------87-------6.0
824------824---------94-------7.5
840------840---------90-------6.1
905------905---------97-------8.7====>69-------3.0
906------906---------97-------8.8====>69-------3.0
910------910---------97-------8.6
916------916---------97-------8.4
921------921---------96-------8.5
930------930---------96-------8.4
938------938---------96-------8.5

I just can't figure this out. The channels that didn't come through at the neighbor's house were almost always zero signal strength, and -10 Ecb No. The system worked fine for about 6 years with the existing RG6 Dual Shield cabling, with the old Quad LNB. Sure sometimes the signals weren't great at the neighbors, but it was workable for him. His favorite channel (130------630---------87-------4.1) was sometimes unwatchable in HD, but when that happened he could watch it on SD on 239, or 257, (Neither of which has any signal at his house now.)

Only a couple music /radio channels come in. I thought most were on the same bird and on a couple transponders?

All those channels don't work, but then one comes in like 127------627---------97-------9.2====>97-------8.8 and just blows me away. If you can get a channel with a 97 signal strength, and 9.2 Ecb No., that should prove the cabling, connectors, etc.. shouldn't it? :frown

I have a Phillips in line amplifier with me. I'm thinking of trying that in one last gasp.

Or maybe I need to look outside of this Forum (which is crazy as a lot of installers help folks here. Maybe one could help us out here.) I've stumbled across a Tamp 6r03 Amplifier which maybe could help out here but I don't know any real details / application knowledge on it.

Please help if you can. I'd hate to see the neighbor loose faith in this system after all these years. :|

 

[Allan B]

I hope that octopus LNB is for MDUs and not single family residences. Good luck with the installation.

Single Family homes, sadly.....lol