[Eddie L.]

I think that I have confirmed in other threads that a diplexer will cause issues with the D10 and D11 signals and the "new" HD channels from these sats. I've got an H20 that has a diplexer on the line, and it is receiving a "0" signal from these sats, but I've also got 2 HR20s that have no diplexers in the line (connected directly to the dish) and they have 90s signal strengths from both sats. The H20 is also receiving 90s strength signal from the 101 and 110 sats (I think that I am correct on these sat #s), and it is receiving the legacy HD channels and SD channels with no problems.

I saw a suggestion in another thread about installing a BBC on the line before any diplexer receives the signal, but I haven't had a chance to try this yet. I was wondering if this will work, or if there are any other suggestions for using a diplexer? I think that I can correct my H20 problem by removing all diplexers from that line and just running the D* signal straight through, but that will remove my lifeline cable from all TVs in my house if I have to do that. My home's prewired cables were terribly done, and diplexers have been the only way that I could get cable and D* to all TVs in my home up until now. We don't have any locals through D* (Montgomery, AL), so I have to have lifeline cable for my local channels.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Mertzen]

The workaround placing the BBC will probably work but that would be with OTA. With cable it is another story. But if they are easily accessable I'd try and see what happens. Make sure you have the right diplexers though.

 

[Eddie L.]

The workaround placing the BBC will probably work but that would be with OTA. With cable it is another story. But if they are easily accessable I'd try and see what happens. Make sure you have the right diplexers though.

Thanks for the advice! Can you tell me which diplexers I need to be sure to use? I am currently just using some basic diplexers (Sat/Antenna) that I bought at Radio Shack about 5 years ago. Everything is easily accessible, so I can change them out easily if I need to.

One other question: Will a BBC be damaged if you place it outside? To try the BBC workaround, it will have to be placed on the line outside of my home.

 

[Mertzen]

Make sure they are rated at least 5 - 2150 otherwise they will cut off signal of the new HD birds and power passing.

The BBC really are not rated for outdoors. I'd test on a sunny day and if it works get an enclosure and make sure to have drip loops and silicone to prevent any moisture to get to the BBc.

 

[Eddie L.]

Make sure they are rated at least 5 - 2150 otherwise they will cut off signal of the new HD birds and power passing.

The BBC really are not rated for outdoors. I'd test on a sunny day and if it works get an enclosure and make sure to have drip loops and silicone to prevent any moisture to get to the BBc.

Will do! Thank you so much for the advice!

 

[jwd45244]

The diplexers that many of us have had success with are the Channel Master CM4002IFD as a combining diplexer and the CM4001IFD as a splitting diplexer. These are both available from SolidSignal. BTW, putting the BBC upstream of the diplexers work just fine.

You original post listed cable and not OTA. You many not be able to diplex at all. Cable signals are QAM and not OTA. Good luck and let us know

 

[Eddie L.]

The diplexers that many of us have had success with are the Channel Master CM4002IFD as a combining diplexer and the CM4001IFD as a splitting diplexer. These are both available from SolidSignal. BTW, putting the BBC upstream of the diplexers work just fine.

You original post listed cable and not OTA. You many not be able to diplex at all. Cable signals are QAM and not OTA. Good luck and let us know

Thanks for the specifics on those diplexers. You are also correct about my original post. It is analog lifeline cable. Would that make any difference? It has been working fine, that is, until I moved my H20 to the "end of the line". I had been using a SD D* Tivo, and all channels (cable and D*) came through OK. Even now, the cable and SOME of the D* channels are making through. It's just the new D10 and D11 signals that are not making it through.

I'll try to check the ratings on the diplexers at lunch and see what they are. I'll post back after then.

 

[Mertzen]

Yeah it might just be the frequency rating. If you did have HD locals it'd be easy to spot since those should make it through since they don't use the Ka-Lo part of the spectrum.

 

[Eddie L.]

Yeah it might just be the frequency rating. If you did have HD locals it'd be easy to spot since those should make it through since they don't use the Ka-Lo part of the spectrum.

Well, this may or may not be much help. I've got 4 diplexers in the stream from the dish to my H20. 3 of those 4 are simply Terk Inside Diplexers, and they have no indication of the rating anywhere on the diplexer. The 4th is a Radio Shack diplexer with a rating of 40 - 2150 MHz.

I did a quick Google of the Terk diplexers, but I couldn't find the rating on the particular diplexers that I have. These are probably at least 4 years old. I did find a new version of that Terk model that is 54 - 2150 MHz. But I don't know for sure on those 3 Terk diplexers.

 

[Dirac]

The diplexers that many of us have had success with are the Channel Master CM4002IFD as a combining diplexer and the CM4001IFD as a splitting diplexer. These are both available from SolidSignal. BTW, putting the BBC upstream of the diplexers work just fine.

I have the same diplexers, and the same success using BBCs with OTA antennas.

To the OP--if it's a long-term installation I'd say it's worth the peace of mind to go ahead and order rated diplexers such as these CMs, so if you have problems down the road, you know it won't be due to any uncertainty in the diplexers' capabilities.

 

[Matt9876]

My diplexed OTA antenna works great on a H20 unit,BBC is before the first diplexer and the new HD stuff 99(c/a),103(c/a) works great! in fact everything works great.


My BBC is in the attic,they won't last long outside unless well protected from the weather.

 

[Mertzen]

Well, this may or may not be much help. I've got 4 diplexers in the stream from the dish to my H20. 3 of those 4 are simply Terk Inside Diplexers, and they have no indication of the rating anywhere on the diplexer. The 4th is a Radio Shack diplexer with a rating of 40 - 2150 MHz.

I hear you on that. They work the same way that a SAM 6802 switch often also works with ka/ku. Not rated to pass specific frequencies but still does. :lol:

 

[RobertE]

I hear you on that. They work the same way that a SAM 6802 switch often also works with ka/ku. Not rated to pass specific frequencies but still does. :lol:

Sometimes.

 

[Mertzen]

Sometimes.

Or should we say for some [limited] time. :lol:

 

[Johnnie5000]

3 of those 4 are simply Terk Inside Diplexers, and they have no indication of the rating anywhere on the diplexer

If I remember correctly most Terk Diplexers were 950-1450mHz and the sat port and 40-1000mHz on the antenna port.

 

[Matt9876]

Mine works great off a set of these. Search Google for Holland Diplexers.

 

[Eddie L.]

Hey everybody. Thanks to all for the suggestions. I ordered the Channel Master diplexers from Solid Signal and installed them this weekend. While this did not solve the problem, I was glad that I did that and now know that I've got good diplexers from start to finish.

After I installed the diplexers and still had no signal, I moved the BBC from the back of the H20 to the "front of the line"...that is, I connected it to the coax before the first diplexer in the cable line. That immediately fixed the problem, and all satellites are in the 90s in signal strength on the H20. More importantly, I've got all of my HD channels on it too!

I only have one other question. Can anyone recommend or provide a link to an enclosure for the BBC? The BBC is now outside of the house (there was no way around this), and (as Mertzen suggested above) I want to put it in an enclosure to protect it from the elements. I did a search on Solid Signal, but I wasn't successful in finding one.

Again, thanks to all for the suggestions!

 

[Johnnie5000]

I only have one other question. Can anyone recommend or provide a link to an enclosure for the BBC? The BBC is now outside of the house (there was no way around this), and (as Mertzen suggested above) I want to put it in an enclosure to protect it from the elements. I did a search on Solid Signal, but I wasn't successful in finding one.

Again, thanks to all for the suggestions!

Leviton makes good cable boxes, they even sell a couple of them at home depot.

 

[Mertzen]

I'd go with something similar as what the phone company uses. Make sure your cables enter from below or with drip loops. And silicone the holes. And get a spare BBC just in case.