Newbie Question: Using existing cable TV coax for Dish Receivers

[kevino]

All, I apologize for posting this as it seems like such a FAQ. I did spend a bunch of time scouring discussion forums and the web before posting here, so go easy on me!

I'm currenly a Cable TV subscriber who is hot to switch to Dish network now that my locals are offered.

The builder of my house did an excellent job and pre-wired the house for Cable with a nice board in the basement which takes the incoming Adelphia connection and splits it into a run to practically every room in the house. It is a direct run to each room with no splitting other than the main splitter in the basement. I _think_ that the cable is RG6 (it seems rather hefty), but I don't know how to be sure.

My goal is to have my dish installed with the sat LNBs fed into the basement to a switch, and then have the switch feed each room receiver directly (my goal is to have 3 receivers in 3 seperate rooms right now). I'll need to receive 3 sats (110, 119, and 61.5) - not sure what switch enables this.

Does anyone know if this will work? I'm not sure how to verify that the existing coax runs are RG6 which is what everything I'm reading suggests I need to use.

Again, thanks for all of the help!

Kevin O

[MarkA]

Sure, as long as there are no cable splitters in your final plan it should probably work - even if it is RG59

[HTguy]

Sounds like you have RG6 & are good to go.

Since you want 3 rcvrs I expect you'll go DHP. You will be set up initially with a QUAD LNBF on the Dish500 with 4 "drops" to the cable distribution system.

You probably will get the 2nd dish free install later at which time DNSC or the contracted fulfillment co. will replace the QUAD with 2 dual LNBFs and install a SW-64 switch in the basement.

[Geronimo]

I take issue with my good friend Mark on the use of RG 59. It is hit or miss. It may work intermittently or work for awahile and then fail. Look at the cable. Every few feet it should say whether it is RG-59, 6 or 11. 6 or 11 are OK. I would not recommend RG 59.

[MarkA]

Geronimo, if it works it won't fail any sooner than any other cable. RG-59 doesn't burn out or anything (unless it's truly crud!!!), but GOOD RG59 is fine. Not the cheap RG59.

[Geronimo]

Perhaps Mark but it is kind of hard to know after the fact whether it is good RG 59 or bad. Again Ii think he should look at it and see what is stamped tehreon.

And while I would not say RG59 "burns out" there is a high failure rate. I jsut would not chance using it. And as a another poster pointed out ths gentleman may very well have RG 6.

[Mike500]

Just look at the cable end. If it is 18 guage, it is RG6. 18 guage is like thermostat or bell wire. If it's 22 guage, it's rg59. 22 guage is like telephone wire. If you don't have an idea, look benind a phone jack or take the cover off your thermostat. There is an easily seen difference.