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4 Satellites with Cascaded SW-64 / SW-21 -- Help

2934 Views 10 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  HTguy, 
M
Ok, I finally got dish to come out and give me my locals(148) while still preserving my current programming (Sky Angel 61.5 & Americas 150 (110/119))!

Took three tech visits but am quite happy with the results ALTHOUGH I still have a question or two.

They left with the SW64 installed and fed down to the two receivers WITHOUT 61.5 inserted. After I left I reattempted the setup (SEE CURRENT SETUP BELOW) and the result was the same when doing the switch check (with 129 install checked. ~ 50 tests):
Code: 
Installed Switch Model: SW21 4-Sat
Input (1, 1, 1A-2, 1B-2, 2A-2, 2B-2, 3A-2, 3B-2)
Satellite (148, 148, x, x, x, x, x, x)
I know it "should" read (110, 110, 119, 119, 148, 148, xx, xx) respectively.

I get a signal from all sats and can view the channel although every so often when going between channels on different satellites I get a switch error... Wish I had the specific message in front of me now so I could relay it...

Any insight or help?!?! I have put both the current and desired setups below so you can tell me if I did something wrong / to help with giving suggestions!

Thanks,

Matthew Knapp

Code: 
CURRENT SETUP:
61.5-----------------------> |=====|   
                             |=====|------->|RECEIVER #1|
            |=====|1|->PWR   |SW-21|
119-------> |=====|2| -----> |=====|      
110-------> |SW-64|3| 
148------>  |=====|4| -----> |RECEIVER #2|



DESIRED SETUP:
61.5-----------------------> |=====|   
                             |=====|------->|RECEIVER #1|
            |=====|1| ->PWR  |SW-21|
119-------> |=====|2| -----> |=====|      
110-------> |SW-64|3| 
148-------> |=====|4| -----> |=====|  
                             |SW-21|------->|RECEIVER #2|
61.5-----------------------> |=====|
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N
Looking at you diagram, its looks like you have it correct.

I know I occasionally get a lost sat error for a few seconds so I think that may be normal.

Below is waht the results of the switch test should look like.

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M
Originally posted by n0qcu
I know I occasionally get a lost sat error for a few seconds so I think that may be normal.
Click to expand...
Strange the switch test results look just like that but have NO sats listend in any slot other than "input 1" showing 148 (odd and even).

Trying the check switch (50 test) again...
Shows the same thing... switch model sw21 4-SAT with only 148 at slot 1 (odd and even). Status is "Satellite reception verified".

Have not had one of the "switch errors" for a while but I predict I probably will due to the above symptoms.

Any ideas on what is happening??? Anything I might want to double check?

Matthew
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N
What receiver model do you have?
What order are the sats connected to the sw64?
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M
Originally posted by n0qcu
What receiver model do you have?
What order are the sats connected to the sw64?
Click to expand...
I have a 501 and a 508.

The sats are connected in the following order: 110, 119, 148 then 61.5 mixed in on the cascaded sw21.

Matthew
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N
The instructions for the sw64 specify the following order:

119,110, xxx

I used one for a long time (wrong) without any problem. (3 sat)
IIRC when testing out using both 148 & 61.5, I did try the way your connected and got same result.

Try switching 110 & 119 & see if that helps.
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M
Originally posted by n0qcu
The instructions for the sw64 specify the following order:

119,110, xxx

Try switching 110 & 119 & see if that helps.
Click to expand...
Hmm, just ran a switch check on the NON-cascaded receiver and it reports I did have it setup correctly (119, 110, 148).

Originally posted by n0qcu
I did try the way your connected and got same result.
Click to expand...
Do you mean you received an intermittent switch error but were able to see all the channels AND it only showed the final dish on the 64 (148 or 61.5)?

If so I will triple check my connections by physical inspection (the switch is in the attic).

Hmmm. What do you think?

Matthew
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G
You could also try swapping the inputs to the SW21. i.e. Swap the SW64 output and the 61.5 LNB connection to the SW21.
This may help as the 4 sat setup tends to be dependant on the order.

Also, keep in mind that the intermittent switch error may be normal. I have a similar setup, and an error ocassionally occurs if you tune in to a channel on 148 or 61.5, and then switch to a channel on the 110 sat. Also, you are correct that only 148 or 61.5 will appear in the install summary screen. The other sat will be marked with an X. However, you should be able to see all the channels.

A word of caution with the 4 sat setup on a 501. With the P165
software version, many a times my 501 failed to record a program if it was powered off when a timer fired. I never had that issue with the P154 501 software. Now I only have the SW64 (3 sats) connected to my 501, as I did not want to leave my 501 on all the time. (I mainly needed the 4 sat setup to get CBSHD East and my 148 locals on the 6000, and that is still working fine.)

Hope this helps.
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styxfix
Is this your error message?

"A problem has been detected with your multi-dish switch. To continue to use your receiver, you must do the "Check Switch" test..." ERROR 04.

It seems to be a common problem with this setup. It seems to happen the most when changing channels from your OTA digital stations to the sat channels on the 6000 receiver.
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M
Originally posted by styxfix
Is this your error message?

"A problem has been detected with your multi-dish switch. To continue to use your receiver, you must do the "Check Switch" test..." ERROR 04.

It seems to be a common problem with this setup. It seems to happen the most when changing channels from your OTA digital stations to the sat channels on the 6000 receiver.
Click to expand...
Can't say for SURE but if I remember correctly that IS the problem that I was receiving on my 501.

I watched the dish installer get out of it by going to menu and then program guide (option 1 I think).... and then it *may* go away.

Do you have any insight in other ways to combat this problem? Is it something which will always happen?

Well, atleast the good news is it only happens occasionally when changing channels. Not sure what you mean by "from your OTA digital stations to the sat channels"... OTA = locals?

Matthew
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HTguy
Both of your diagrams appear to be correct except, as n0qcu has pointed out, for the rcvr order on the SW64.

I would recommend that you "clear the matrix" by running a switch test without the connection to your receiver(s), get the rcvrs in the right order into thw SW64, and then reconnect and run another switch test.

BTW, I have the same set-up and I do get intermittent "switch error" messages when I leave the 508 powered off overnight when last tuned to a 110 Ch.

Evidently the rcvr sometimes can't "see" 119 when I turn it on the next day. I go to the PD&S screen (Menu, 6, 1, 1) and set it to 119 T11. As soon as I get the lock I'm good to go. It quicker than running a 50pt switch test! :cool:
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