What is this? (sorry about large pictures, can't resize)

[TimG517]

I live in an apartment (townhouse). I have a 5LNB in front, with 4 wires running through the window in my laundry room.

Then there is 500 or so feet of cable running throught my house.

Now, there is a new 5LNB regular looking (not SWM) Slimline dish at my complex.

It has 2 (the double wire) wires coming out, into some unit, looks like a connector. That goes into the cable box outside of the unit. Only one cable is going to that box (the cable box that will hook up your unit with cable).

Take a look at these pictures. Does this guy (or girl) have more than one TV? Is that even possible with that setup?

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s83/TimG517/IMG00047.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s83/TimG517/IMG00046.jpg

[Doug Brott]

That's a grounding block .. most likely the person only has one tuner setup (perhaps an H21) and the installer took the liberty to make a second connection from the dish to the grounding block so that the second tuner is an easier installation at a later date.

[SDizzle]

That would be a grounding block.

[TimG517]

Thanks. If you can't tell mine is not grounded.

But, this is running into the box that cable installers go into to turn on your cable.

My installer opened it, but found there was only one line running to each unit.

With this, can this guy EVER get more than one TV? If so, I am going to move my setup and get rid of all the wires running through my apt.

I need 6 wires total...

[Doug Brott]

The open connection should probably be covered.

[Doug Brott]

Thanks. If you can't tell mine is not grounded.

But, this is running into the box that cable installers go into to turn on your cable.

My installer opened it, but found there was only one line running to each unit.

With this, can this guy EVER get more than one TV? If so, I am going to move my setup and get rid of all the wires running through my apt.

I need 6 wires total...

If you get an SWM-8 AND all of your receivers support SWM .. meaning H20, HR20, HR21 or R16 .. (I think that's all) then you can do it. However, the SWM would need to live near your dish since there's only one line in and the SWM's are a bit pricey right now.

Also, you'd have to be able to use an approved set of splitters to reach each of your tuners.

In other words, there is a possibility that it will work, but it really depends on the wiring setup.

[Ext 721]

That is a very correct grounding. Technically, to follow NEC requirements, 2 coax are required from the dish, if they meet and do not exceed the 60% minimum braid requirement. My HSP demanded 2 cables minimum to the block.
(if the ground run is seperated at the dish and therefore shorter than the braid)