I lost my locals when I cascaded multiswitches

[JGL]

I attempted to cascade a powered Eagle Aspen 4x8 multiswitch from a WB68. I used 4 outputs from the WB68 to the inputs of the 4x8. However, now I no longer have my locals on my SD Directv-Tivo units which come from a separate 72.5 dish and are connected to the flex port of the WB68. I still have the locals on my HD units.
I tried running 'Auto-Detect Satellite Information' on one of my Tivo units to see if it would figure it out, but now the locals have disappeared from the guide altogether. I get the 'Searching for Signal' message on the other Tivo unit when I try to go to a local channel.
Is the signal from the flex port not passed from the WB68 if you try to cascade like this? Is there another workaround other than getting a WB616 or another WB68?

I have 2 HD units (HR20 and HR21) and 3 SD Directv-Tivo units (2 HDVR2's and a R10).

Thanks

JGL

[jmeyer]

a 4x8 multiswitch will not pass the 72.5 signal. it is being blocked by the 4x8 multiswitch. you will need another 6x8 to cascade or a 6x16. good luck.

[JGL]

Thanks, jmeyer...I figured it was something like that.

[ironwood]

You can hook only two ports on 4x8 which will be 13v and 18v (not 13/18 with 22khz) and this way you can have 6 ports from 6x8 for the full range of channels including locals. So you can hook one more SD TIVO or even two SD TIVO's (then one tuner on each will have your locals).

You wont be able to get anything coming from 110/119 satellites from 4x8. Its possible that you dont need them.

[RobertE]

I attempted to cascade a powered Eagle Aspen 4x8 multiswitch from a WB68. I used 4 outputs from the WB68 to the inputs of the 4x8. However, now I no longer have my locals on my SD Directv-Tivo units which come from a separate 72.5 dish and are connected to the flex port of the WB68. I still have the locals on my HD units.
I tried running 'Auto-Detect Satellite Information' on one of my Tivo units to see if it would figure it out, but now the locals have disappeared from the guide altogether. I get the 'Searching for Signal' message on the other Tivo unit when I try to go to a local channel.
Is the signal from the flex port not passed from the WB68 if you try to cascade like this? Is there another workaround other than getting a WB616 or another WB68?

I have 2 HD units (HR20 and HR21) and 3 SD Directv-Tivo units (2 HDVR2's and a R10).

Thanks

JGL

The 72.5 sat control signal does not get passed through in a cascaded setup.

What you will need to do, is either use a WB616 or run your switches in parallel using 5 wideband splitters. The splitters would go between the dish and the two switches. Just make sure that the outputs from each splitter go to the same ports on the switches.

[ironwood]

And as mentioned in another thread splitters would have to be power-passing with 4x8 hooked up to power-passing side of each splitter.

I wonder if 95 satellite would work in a same way with splitters and two switches.

[RobertE]

And as mentioned in another thread splitters would have to be power-passing with 4x8 hooked up to power-passing side of each splitter.

I wonder if 95 satellite would work in a same way with splitters and two switches.

Yes, if the 95 was needed along with the 72.5, 6 power passing splitters would be needed.

What a rats nest of cables that would make.

[JGL]

What a rats nest of cables that would make.

That's just what I was thinking. I don't think I'd have enough room in my closet to have a cable mess like that.
I'll have to see if I can sweet-talk another WB68 out of DirecTV, or just get one on my own. Thanks for all the suggestions.

JGL

[ironwood]

Ebay should have those cheap

[houskamp]

only 40$ for wb68: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=WB68