Dss quick help guide

Satellite Adjustments - Installation Guides - Dish Alignment

Installation | Dish Tuning | Rain Fade | Multiple Receivers | Dish Network Installs | Lost Signal

Dish Problems - Trouble- Shooting.

Dish Tuning Alignment Problems

Obstructions at the Dish? Checks ok?  At dish, check for loose bracket or movement.  If ok, follow the coax into the house. Any splices or extenders, or any tape on the line, check for corrosion.  Check coax ends. Center wire should be approximately 1/4" out of fitting, if ok, measure for 14 or 18 volts (measured at lnbf connector)  if voltage is ok, replace lnbf.   If you have a dual lnb, reverse cables. If this reverses the problem to other receiver replace lnb.  See Dss-Lnbf

Satellite Transponers Missing

If you are missing satellite channel programming, check the receiver menu to determine if odd or even transponders are missing. If one or the other is bad, remove lnb line and disconnect receiver for 5 minutes, then reconnect.  This usually corrects problem or substitute lnb.

Multiple Hookups

For two receivers:  Each coax line goes to individual receivers.  Do not use splitters ( or an existing antenna outlet with these attached )  The receiver requires Dc from the receiver, directly to the lnb, to provide power.  Typical vhf/uhf splitters do not pass dc. 

Multiswitch

3 or 4 Receiver Hookup = Single Satellite 18 inch dish = Multiswitch description

Use this type of switch for up to four receivers. A typical switch for a 18 inch dish and a dual lnbf,

Single Satellite hookup (up to 4 receivers) 3 x 4 multiswitch part as above. ( three inputs - one for local Antenna - two for lines from dual lnbf ) 3 in 4 out equals 3 x 4

Dual Satellite Hookup = Two Satellites usually a 18 inch x 24 inch  = Switch Description  4 x 4 or 4 in and 4 out Used for  HDTV, Para Todos  hookup to 4 receivers.  4X4 Multiswitch

What switch is needed for your system? A 4x4 means that there are 4 inputs and 4 outputs.  A Para Todos switch comes standard with a 4 in 2 out (two receivers only) and as a HDTV hookup.  A Multiswitch replacement is a 5x4 ( 5 in 4 out - one input is for local antenna connection)  The basic difference between the two types explained above is that one is used for a single satellite, the other is for multiple sat use.  The question always asked is can you use two separate dishes and join them together with the 5X4 or 4x4? Yes indeed, or you can use the Dish Designed For Two Sats ( HDTV or Para Todos )

Rain Fade Problems

Rain fade on heavy down pour usually causes total loss of signal. The maximum signal dish adjustment is important.  If nothing appears loose and you have normal levels with clear skys then the alternative is get a larger dish. A 24 inch dish has 2.5db. more gain reducing rain fade by 85%   See Rain Fade Dish .  Have seen the add on type petals etc.  My opinion is that they will add bulk and cause wind load problems, versus a 24 inch reflector. Your existing mount will work in most cases, so no need to replace mount pipe.

Hughes Resets  

Hughes receivers use the power and channel down buttons (at the receiver) simultaneously for resetting. Other types, such as RCA, Sony and others require removing power with a special reset button procedure.    

The procedure for dish network is similiar to above explanation.  Dual 500 setup: read instructions very carefully before installing. There has been considerable confusion regarding adding additional receivers for dish network.  Two receivers requires 2 - SW21's or two DC blocks.   The DC block devices or SW21 and SW42 ( multiswtich ) are designed to pass dc to one line of the lnb ( one receiver powers lnb only - cannot run power to both receivers to a dual lnb ) Illustration for 2 receivers and multiswitch. Adding more than two receivers requires an elaborate setup using 2 multiswitches ( 3 x 4's or 3 x 8's ) Illustration for 4 or More. Note twin lnbs (two lines) cannot be extended beyond 2 receivers. Need two separate dual lnbs or a quad lnbf.

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