RiseStar
August 10th, 2008, 11:12 AM
Multi Switch FAQ
What are multi-switches and how do they work?
Multi-switches are used to combine feeds from one or more LNBF's pointed at different satellites, such as on a DISH 500 or SUPER DISH system, which are then sent to the receiver. Because each satellite operates at an identical frequency range, it is not possible to simply combine the signals, they must switched instead.
Multi-switches can also be used to feed more than two receivers off a dual LNBF. When changing channels, a receiver sends voltage to the LNBF, instructing it to change polarization depending on what channel is on. For DBS LNBF's, polarization can be either left-hand circular or right hand circular. For the new FSS SUPER DISH systems, in addition to 2 DBS LNBF's, it also has a single FSS linear polarization LNBF, which uses either horizontal or vertical polarization.
There are six different switches is general use:
* SW21 connects 2 single LNBs to one receiver.
o Two SW21s can be used to connect 2 dual LNBs to two receivers.
o An SW21 allows receivers that support cascading to see an extra orbital slot when used in combination with a Twin, Quad, SW42, SW44 or SW64.
o Cascading an SW21 to another SW21 is not allowed.
* SW42 is exactly equivalent to two SW21s except that it uses different switching codes. See note below on cascading.
* SW44 connects 2 dual LNBs to (up to) four receivers. The receiver may identify it as an SW42 as mentioned in the manual. Except for the missing third LNB inputs, it is similar in operation to the SW64. See note below for more info.
* SW64 connects 2 or 3 dual LNBs to (up to) four receivers and is a "powered" switch. The power is supplied via an inserter, which can be placed indoors, near one of the receivers. It is inserted in the RG-6 coax line coming from the SW64 output port #1 (The one labeled "To Power Inserter"). The inserter must be inserted in the correct direction to prevent damage to the receiver. Follow directions and labels carefully, even a "pro" can make a mistake here. See: Stupid Installer Tricks.
* Twin LNB has 2 LNBFs and integrated switches in a wide housing, outputs for only 2 receivers. No external switches are needed for viewing 110 and 119.
* Quad LNB is similar to the Twin but has 4 outputs.
What are multi-switches and how do they work?
Multi-switches are used to combine feeds from one or more LNBF's pointed at different satellites, such as on a DISH 500 or SUPER DISH system, which are then sent to the receiver. Because each satellite operates at an identical frequency range, it is not possible to simply combine the signals, they must switched instead.
Multi-switches can also be used to feed more than two receivers off a dual LNBF. When changing channels, a receiver sends voltage to the LNBF, instructing it to change polarization depending on what channel is on. For DBS LNBF's, polarization can be either left-hand circular or right hand circular. For the new FSS SUPER DISH systems, in addition to 2 DBS LNBF's, it also has a single FSS linear polarization LNBF, which uses either horizontal or vertical polarization.
There are six different switches is general use:
* SW21 connects 2 single LNBs to one receiver.
o Two SW21s can be used to connect 2 dual LNBs to two receivers.
o An SW21 allows receivers that support cascading to see an extra orbital slot when used in combination with a Twin, Quad, SW42, SW44 or SW64.
o Cascading an SW21 to another SW21 is not allowed.
* SW42 is exactly equivalent to two SW21s except that it uses different switching codes. See note below on cascading.
* SW44 connects 2 dual LNBs to (up to) four receivers. The receiver may identify it as an SW42 as mentioned in the manual. Except for the missing third LNB inputs, it is similar in operation to the SW64. See note below for more info.
* SW64 connects 2 or 3 dual LNBs to (up to) four receivers and is a "powered" switch. The power is supplied via an inserter, which can be placed indoors, near one of the receivers. It is inserted in the RG-6 coax line coming from the SW64 output port #1 (The one labeled "To Power Inserter"). The inserter must be inserted in the correct direction to prevent damage to the receiver. Follow directions and labels carefully, even a "pro" can make a mistake here. See: Stupid Installer Tricks.
* Twin LNB has 2 LNBFs and integrated switches in a wide housing, outputs for only 2 receivers. No external switches are needed for viewing 110 and 119.
* Quad LNB is similar to the Twin but has 4 outputs.