[stanbro]

I am installing an automatic, 5-LNB dish on the roof of my RV. It will be the antenna that I use most of the time. Sometimes, because of trees, I will need to deploy a portable 1-LNB dish with a long coax to get a clear shot at the sky.

I would like to minimize the hassle of switching between the two antennas. At minimum, I will have to plug/unplug the portable antenna from a jack on the side of the RV.

Here's the question: can I reverse a 2-way satellite splitter and use it as a combiner such that the two antenna outputs are combined into one input to the receiver? Are splitters bi-directional?

 

[litzdog911]

No way. Remember that satellite dish LNBs require DC switching voltages to select the proper transponder for the channel you're watching. Splitters/combiners will mess that up, especially with two different dish/LNBs.

Your best bet might be an RF coax switch box that would allow you to select which dish is connected to your Receiver. But you'll need a high quality "A/B" switch that high enough frequency coverage for all of the satellite signals.

 

[veryoldschool]

"IF" you go with the RF switch, make sure it:
#1 passes DC
#2 is rated for 0.5 AMPS.

"Combining" LNBs doesn't work since each LNB, even with no signal, outputs "a signal" so they mix and you get "nothing".

 

[harsh]

+1 on the litzdog911 analysis. Mechanically changing cables (either manually or with mechanical switches) is the only solution. You must completely disconnect one dish (with the receiver UNPLUGGED) to use the other. An electronic switch may not work as it might not conduct DC as is required.

The frequency requirements are critical. The switches that I've seen don't come with ratings so I'm dubious about their ability to handle the task. I'd guess that most of them are glorified TV/Game switches that happen to use F connectors.

 

[stanbro]

Thanks for info.

I will look into a mechanical A/B switch. I think a mechanical switch should have no problem passing 0.5 amp. Passing 2GHz frequency is really the question. Since they are relatively inexpensive, I figure I will give one a try and see how it works.

Again, thanks.