DP34 ---> DP21 / Also HQ-4401A?? & SGA-522A??

[larrystotler]

Actually connected a DP21 to the passthrus on a DP34 today. I had to re-wire a shoddy job. The original installer needed 5 tuners, and installed 2 DP Duals and used a DP34 and a DP21 connected to the duals. However, it was a mess, no grounding, and problem with the receiver on the DP21. So I re-wired, properly grounded, and cascaded the DP21 on the DP34 to save some wire. The DP21 did tests 4 of 4. First time, it showed the 110 twice and the 119 once and NC for the 4 connections. Second time, it showed the 119 on port 2 and the 110 on port 3 with ports 1 & 4 NC. I had replaced the duals with a DPTwin, and it did show that it was connected to the DP Twins(didn't show the DP34 - didn't expect it to). Worked fine after I replaced a really rusted fitting(the receier wouldn't see any even trans before), so I left it as is.....weird.


Anyway, I swapped a E* install for a D* install last week. The guy had 3 4000s connected to an SW64(only 110/119). He'd been conned by the E* installer and way over charged a few years ago. When I pulled the receivers, I found an SGA-522A 22khz tone generator near each receiver(not hooked to the wiring). It looks like it was supposed to connect to the accessory jack on the back of the 4000. I also found a box for an HQ-4401A multiswitch(never did find the switch). 4 Input/4 Output 0/22Khz 14/18 Freq Range 950-2050Mhz. I did some searching, and didn't really find any info. I found a thread on SatGuys from last year where someone got one, but nothing informative. Anyone have any ideas? I'm assuming this is some kind of legacy switch due to the 14/18 part, which is probably 14V and 18V, and the the 22Khz setup is probably done by the receiver. It sends voltage to the SGA-522A to add the 22Khz tone and then the switch sends back the correct sat. Is this some kind of early switch design? Thanx.

[James Long]

Connecting a reciever to the passthrough can confuse the switch. I know, because I tried it. I had a receiver I wanted to give JUST 119 access and my DP34 in place. So I figured that I could just put it on the 119 passthrough.

What I found, similar to your report, was that when that receiver did switch tests or tried to change satellites it confused the DP34 and knocked other receivers offline. The appearance was as if the passthrough was controlling the LNB - since the LNB was a twin my receiver on the passthrough was finding both 119 and 110. Or at least trying to. (This was the apperance - I didn't test too long once my other receivers started complaining about 119 not being there any more.)

I ended up putting a DC Block on the output of my DP34 for this receiver. It blocks the voltage control codes that was switching the inputs to the DP34. (Obviously this is non-standard and not recommended for ANYONE to replicate. If you do this and fry your switch, receiver, LNBs or burn your house down don't come crying to me.)

The DP21 you were testing was apparently doing the same trick ... while the reciever was trying to discover what was on port 1 and port 2 it did some switching and found the wrong things. I'm suprised that you got it to work, and that the other recievers were not confused. But if it works, it works ...

BTW: My DP34 is indoors in the basement rafters. No weather problems there.

JL

[SimpleSimon]

Larry: What you've found is from a standard D* 2-sat switch.

D* uses voltage switching for odd/even, and 22KHz tone for bird selection.

The 3-bird rigs actually translate the 3 transponders from 119? to different "numbers" on 110? - I might have the birds backward.

I'll bet the details are posted all over the D* forums.

I'm surprised you ran into trouble with the DP21 hooked to the trunking outputs of the DP34. Might it be the order in which things were attached / check switched?

[larrystotler]

I know how the D* system works(Special sat C combiner needed on the 119's 18V in). The switch may be a D* style switch(may even work with D* - dunno, never found it), but the 22 kHz tone inserters are not D*. Quite frankly, this looks like an extremely early model similar to the SWAJ setup because it used the accessory jack as power. AFAIK, there are no similar D* receiver setups with the accessory jacks.

As for the DP21 setup, it could be like JL says. It sees the twin twice. I could have left the DP Duals, and if need be, I will put them back. I merely wanted to make things simpler.....so far, no call from the cust about it not working...........

BTW, The 110's 28/30/32 are changed to the 119's 8/10/12. You had it reversed. :)

[SimpleSimon]

BTW, The 110's 28/30/32 are changed to the 119's 8/10/12. You had it reversed.Cool - thanks!

But I could've sworn that D* boxes used 22KHz tone to grab 110/119.

[larrystotler]

But I could've sworn that D* boxes used 22KHz tone to grab 110/119.

They do, but they don't need an external swicth that is powered by the receiver to do it. Actually, I have found that switch at a customer's house yesterday. I will be removing it because I am going to do a 522 upgrade, and I don't believe that the 522 will use it. It looks like an SW44, but doesn't have a power inserter. When I get it, I will post pictures and will give descriptions.