Multiswitch setup question

[jeffTHX]

This weekend, I'm getting the upgrade of my dish and 6x16 multiswitch installed (along with an HR2x). I am going to lose the ability to diplex and distribute my current OTA signal to my HR10s (which I will continue to use in my system). However, can I introduce the OTA signal into the line AFTER the multiswitch?

That is, if I know specifically which lines are going to my HR10s, can I run a jumper from my antenna amp/spliter, combine it with the sat signal from the new multiswitch, and then break it out at the receiver? I know that the multiswitch can't take the OTA signal and send it out, but will the signals play nicely together when combined in the coax (like they do in my current setup with an old 5x8 multiswitch)?

I don't have the ability to run new lines due to sealed walls, finished basement, etc., and I'm trying to figure out how to maintain the use of dual tuners AND an OTA signal in my HR10/HR20 setups (I have two TVs that will each have this combo of receivers on them). I only have four coax runs going to each of them, however, from my central wiring panel (where all of my sat, cable, antenna, and other runs are combined).

Thanks in advance,
jj

[texasbrit]

This weekend, I'm getting the upgrade of my dish and 6x16 multiswitch installed (along with an HR2x). I am going to lose the ability to diplex and distribute my current OTA signal to my HR10s (which I will continue to use in my system). However, can I introduce the OTA signal into the line AFTER the multiswitch?

That is, if I know specifically which lines are going to my HR10s, can I run a jumper from my antenna amp/spliter, combine it with the sat signal from the new multiswitch, and then break it out at the receiver? I know that the multiswitch can't take the OTA signal and send it out, but will the signals play nicely together when combined in the coax (like they do in my current setup with an old 5x8 multiswitch)?

I don't have the ability to run new lines due to sealed walls, finished basement, etc., and I'm trying to figure out how to maintain the use of dual tuners AND an OTA signal in my HR10/HR20 setups (I have two TVs that will each have this combo of receivers on them). I only have four coax runs going to each of them, however, from my central wiring panel (where all of my sat, cable, antenna, and other runs are combined).

Thanks in advance,
jj

Maybe, it depends on how good the attenuation of the b-band signals is in the diplexers you use after the output from the WB68. If the diplexer attenuates the satellite signal from DirecTV10 enough, then the OTA signals will come through OK. There's an easier way to do this, if you have an old 5x8 like the Terk BMS58. Take four lines from the WB616 and connect them to the BMS58. Connect the OTA to the fifth input of the BMS58. All the eight outputs from the BMS58 will then carry the sat signals, minus the DirecTV10 signals because the diplexer built into the BMS58 removes them, plus the OTA signals. Worked OK for me (cascading the BMS58 below the WB68 in my case).

Or you can use the b-band relocation approach on one line to each HR20. Move the bbc to just after the multiswitch, place the OTA 'in" diplexer on the receiver side of the BBC, then the OTA "split out" diplexer just before the HR20. You need to use extra connectors for the BBCs since they are not reversible, and the setup is not guaranteed to work particularly if the run from the receiver to the multiswitch is too long. Mine is about 50 ft and works fine, but others have reported problems at 30ft or so.

[jeffTHX]

Maybe, it depends on how good the attenuation of the b-band signals is in the diplexers you use after the output from the WB68. If the diplexer attenuates the satellite signal from DirecTV10 enough, then the OTA signals will come through OK. There's an easier way to do this, if you have an old 5x8 like the Terk BMS58. Take four lines from the WB616 and connect them to the BMS58. Connect the OTA to the fifth input of the BMS58. All the eight outputs from the BMS58 will then carry the sat signals, minus the DirecTV10 signals because the diplexer built into the BMS58 removes them, plus the OTA signals. Worked OK for me (cascading the BMS58 below the WB68 in my case).


That's the hypothesis that someone floated to me on the Tivo forum, and it sounded intriguing, so I thought I'd post it here. However, then I got to thinking--instead of using the second multiswitch, what if I just introduced the OTA signal in the way I had originally described. If what you're describing will work, though, then I'll do exactly that. I guess I'll know by Sunday if things work the way I hope they will.

Thanks,
Jeff

[veryoldschool]

That's the hypothesis that someone floated to me on the Tivo forum, and it sounded intriguing, so I thought I'd post it here. However, then I got to thinking--instead of using the second multiswitch, what if I just introduced the OTA signal in the way I had originally described. If what you're describing will work, though, then I'll do exactly that. I guess I'll know by Sunday if things work the way I hope they will.

Thanks,
Jeff
The "real" question here is how much isolation the diplexer has to out of band signals?
If the diplexer is a "good one", then anything below 950 MHz won't pass through the SAT input. If on the other hand the diplexer is made [cheap] where it will pass low levels of 950 MHz and below signals, since it was "designed" for systems that didn't have these signals [the older systems] then you would need to use a high pass filter [or a BBC].

[texasbrit]

The "real" question here is how much isolation the diplexer has to out of band signals?
If the diplexer is a "good one", then anything below 950 MHz won't pass through the SAT input. If on the other hand the diplexer is made [cheap] where it will pass low levels of 950 MHz and below signals, since it was "designed" for systems that didn't have these signals [the older systems] then you would need to use a high pass filter [or a BBC].

as you say, the isolation seems to vary a lot depending on the diplexer. Based on reports from people having problems getting 103(b) signals because they have diplexers installed, some of them (the one built into the BMS58 seems to fall into this category) seem to remove the b-band very effectively, but others don't seem to be much better than a regular splitter/combiner so you end up with both sets of signals interfering with each other.

[slider65]

I ran a short length of coax from my multiplexer to the BBC, and then attached the BBC to the SAT-IN on my diplexer and have had no problems. A very simple and effective fix (for me) but as always, your mileage may vary depending on cable run lengths, etc. as mentioned previously.