Can anybody tell me a good brand of a 3 to 4 multiswitch? Also, what type of weather proofing do you need to do when installing RG6 outside?
Finally, I am only getting signal from the Odd transponders. Any idea what would cause this?

Thanks!

Unless you have some kind of cableing problem or a problem with the LNB. I had a problem years ago mixing brands of satellite recivers (RCA and Hughes) and a mltiswitch. I used a non powered multiswitch and the receivers would loose there signal for a second or two and than find the signal. I replaced the multiswitch with a powered one and it solved the problem. You might try any powered multiswitch, I don't have a part number.
Rich

if you are using a 4way or 8way switch with a direct tv dish or a dish300 you must use a dual LNBF to utilize the 13 &18volts (odd & even transponders). if you are using a dish 500 then you want to se an sw21 for 1 receiver. if that is the case and you are missing even transponders that is an indication of bad cable, bad grounding or a splitter between the dish and receiver. I hope this gets you on the right track. let me know if you need any more help.

Adam, the brand isn't the important thing, the proper configuration for your equipment is. Weatherproofing can be as simple as O-ring RG connectors. (I got mine from PartsExpress.com, I think.)

Troubleshooting can be done by swapping cables, one end at a time, and then both ends at once. Process of elimination. You want to narrow down the problem. The receiver itself is what determines whether the even or odd transponder is selected by each LNB element.

With only two tuners, each receiver activates one LNB element, switching it to even or odd, depending on the chosen channel. With a multi-switch, one element stays on each polarity, and each output of the switch is individually flopped to one or the other, again chosen by the channel tuned by each receiver.

It is assumed that you know you need a dual-LNB-equipped dish. Usually, the receivers' lines are capable of supplying the multi-switch with enough juice to switch each cable's output jack to the proper transponder polarity, and still power the LNB, too. The power supply for the multi-switch is optional; trial and error can tell you if it's needed.

I just finished installing a 3-in/4-out switch in my brother's home, with two single-tuner receivers and one dual-tuner receiver. The power supply was not needed. Note that we did not use the antenna input, as he kept his cable-TV for local channels. Only amplified switches almost always need the power supply, and in almost all of them, only the antenna input is amplified, not the LNB inputs.

Larry

Thanks to everybody!

I actually found a small hairlike piece of metal on one of my cable connectors. I removed it and I am in business.

As far as the multi-switch is concerned, I have read that some only do up to 16 transponders. Is this true? Also, what is the length of cable that a non-powered multi-switch can push the signal before it loses it?

Finally, I noticed after hooking up the second receiver that it gets a different signal strength that the other. Both have identical length cables and come from the same dish. Is this OK?

Thanks!

The, The hair-like metal was a strand of the shield braid. I never heard of the 16-transponder limit, but it could be (?). There is no specific cable length; it's trial and error - If it works without the power, great, if you have strange signal drop-outs and such, see if adding it makes a difference. The differing signal readings is par for the course.

Larry

Thanks Larry. So if I understand you correctly, the brand of multi-switch doesn't matter? What about the different types: solid state, etc. Is this important? What type/brand did you just install in your brother's house? I need a 3in 4out.

Thanks

I just got the 5in 4 out from parts express, works very well. Thanks from this site

The, I forgot the brand. I can find out. The difference between solid state and relay is the method used to switch each output; either RF transistors, or mechanical relays.

I can't say which is better, but solid state is ever so slightly quieter.

Larry

I've been looking to buy a 3in 4out multiswitch.
As I look, though, few sellers (if any) indicate
whether they are using solid-state or mechanical
relays. Since this switch will be near my family
room, I'd like it to be as quiet as possible.
Do you know which brands/models are based on the
solid-state switches?

Sean

Sean, don't worry, the relay noise won't be audible unless you put your ear right up to the switch.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com