2nd dish for 3 box system

[switzma]

I got a 3 box system from my dad (who moved) and activated at my house. My house already had a dish 500 dish on my house and I didn't think I needed to get any thing but the boxes from my dad's . Wondering what I need to split the signal for the 3rd box? Did I miss getting something from my dad's system?

Since my dad moved, I can't get back into the house to get any switches etc.

Also, when I called to activate, Dish offered to install a 2nd dish for free. Will what they do in any way take care of getting the 3rd dish hooked up?

Thanks for any help

[boba]

Switzma your father had either an external switch SW-44 or SW-64 connected to his DISH 500 or he had a QUAD feed mounted on the arm in front of the dish. Either of these give the capability of connecting upto 4 receivers to the dish. DISH will install an additional dish if you subscribe to local channels and all of your channels aren't located on either the 119 or 110 satellites. Usually these are religious, shopping or ethnic stations that do not appeal to all customers.

[switzma]

So I will need to get an additional switch to use the 3rd receiver? The hook up for the 2nd dish won't add any switches that might take care of that?

[JohnH]

DISH is probably not likely to hook up 3 receivers to the 2 dish setup if all 3 are not already connected to the DISH 500. At least not for free. It is not possible to suggest a course of action without knowing what model receivers you have, since there are 2 types of antenna systems now(Legacy and DISHPRO).

[switzma]

Receiver models:
1- pvr501
2 - 4900's

Dish: Dish 500, it looks like my dish has 2 external switches (I think SW21's). I think the sat dish is about 3 years old.

Should i buy a SW44 and have them replace it with a Sw64

[scooper]

If you have to buy it, might as well get your SW64 yourself, then all you should need is the sideslot dish / LNB. The ONLY reason I can think of to get the SW44 is so you'll have a Dish500 spare switch in case the SW64 goes out for some reason.