What switch is this? (HQA-41317M)

[jgoggan]

I just had a second to take a quick look at the Dish setup at my Dad's house (I didn't have time for too many details today, unfortunately). Basically, he has 4 receivers connected to one dish. I believe that it has only one LNB -- he says he does not have a Dish500 dish (although he's been wrong before)...

In any case, coming from their roof, I see three RG6 cables. They all go into a switch labeled HQA-41317M. Anyone have any idea what this unit is exactly? The switch inputs are labeled "LNB A 13-14V", "LNB B 17-18V", and "Antenna." So, on the roof, I assume that one goes to the antenna, of course -- but what about the other two? If he is wrong and he has a Dish500, do the two different LNBs there use 13/17 and 14/18 switching respectively? Or is something else going on?

Basically, this is the only setup I've seen with 4 receivers that isn't using something like an SW64. Then again, his is older -- and maybe it really is only one LNB, so it's a different setup.

Can someone fill me in on what he has? And maybe if it would also work if he did upgrade to a Dish500 dual-LNB setup if he indeed doesn't already have one?

Thanks!

- John...

[DishDude1]

It's a multiswitch. Sounds like he has a single dish 300 and a 2x4 multiswitch which takes both inputs from a dual LNB and allows 4 receivers to be connected up. It also sounds like he is using the built in diplexer, so he probably also has a little box which looks like a splitter at each receiver, this way a single coax can be used for both the receiver and off air antenna.

[jgoggan]

Indeed he does (have the splitter-like boxes at each receiver to pull out the antenna feed). Ok -- that all makes sense.

So, I assume that means that if he upgraded to a Dish500, he'd need to upgrade to something like the SW64 multiswitch too, right?

Thanks!

- John...

[Cheyenne]

This is a SW-42 w/diplexor.
Your father has a Dish-300 system w/dual lnb.
http://www.novacomindia.com/hqasd.htm

[jgoggan]

Hey! Great! Thanks for the info! So -- the difference between that and the SW-64 is that the 64 would allow a third bird, correct? But, if I just need 110 and 119, that should work fine for 4 receivers, correct?

Thanks again!

- John...

[jgoggan]

Wait -- did you mean SW-42 or SW-44? When I search around, everything that I see says that I need at least an SW-44 to have more than 2 receivers -- and that the SW-42 could only do 2 receivers max...

- John...

John,
My mistake, I meant a dish 300 solution with 4 IRD's..
If he wants to go with dish-500, call and order programming upgrade that requires a dish-500. They mayy be willing to upgrade the hardware (and install) at little to no charge for him.

[jgoggan]

According to the web site, the "free" upgrade to the Dish500 would require that he commit to a year of the top-150 -- which he wouldn't want to do. Plus, that is only if you have 2 receivers. If you have 3-4, then they just give you a $75 credit for signing up for the 12 months of top-150 and give you the dish only (gee, thanks Dish, I can get them for $20 on EBay!). Then he'd have to buy an SW-64 himself.

Granted, maybe I should have him call anyhow to see if they'd cut him a deal. But, based on the web info for the upgrade, it doesn't look pretty.

The actual situation is that he's going to be moving to a new place and only need two receivers. So, he'll be all set -- as I'll have him sign up and get the Dish500 and such for free at the new place. I was just hoping to steal his old equipment for my Dish500 setup so that I could have 3 receivers -- but it doesn't look like that will work out. Oh well.

Thanks again!

- John...

[boba]

Sign up for the DISH Mover plan if he dosen't want to do AT-150 it will cost him $99.00 they will provide a new DISH 500 and install it ready for 2 receivers.

[jgoggan]

He'd be better off to sign up as a new customer at his new location than pay $99. He can likely get a Dish500 installed with a PVR501 for that same $99 (or close to it) if he just signs up new (since he'll have a new phone and everything)...

- John...