Satellite hook up in RV?

[silverbowff]

Does each satellite receiver in an RV need a seperate feed from the dish or can the dish coax connect to the cable inlet on the RV feed both receivers like cable or on board antenna connections?

Thanks,

Jim

[Bill Adams]

In almost all cases you are going to need a separate coax cable running from the antenna to each receiver (or each input for a DVR). You may also be able to run 2 cables from the antenna to a multiplexer and then run additional cables if you need more than 2 inputs. Dish Networks newest antennas use a Pro Plus LNB and a switch that allows one cable to be run inside and then a splitter provides 2 outputs at that location. DirecTV has a similar setup with their SWM option but, again, you need specific antennas and hardware.
Since you mention using the cable inlet I am guessing a ground dish application. You cannot use the cable connection at all without re-wiring the inside of the coach. If the cable connection goes to a Video Control Center where you can select TV/SAT/AUX/VCR, etc you would need to find the cable input wire and remove it from this box and connect it directly to the satellite receiver. If there is no such option and the outside cable connection feeds multiple locations then you cannot use this connection at all as there will be splitters in-line that prevent the satellite signal from passing correctly.

[Abnmarine]

My KVH antenna only has one cable coming from it. I currently have that going to the front TV. Other than replacing the antenna, how can I also run my rear TV on satilite?

[wa8yxm]

There are two different systems.. DirecTV, normally, you need one cable per receiver or input (DVR's take two cables having 2 inputs)

Dish.... Uses a different means of sorting out odd and even transponders so they can use one cable

There are antennas where you use one cable, a Dish Network splitter indoors and some special boxes called "De-Stackers" to c

But at 100 a pop for a de-stacker (Approximate price) plus the stacker for the outdoor end.. A 2nd cable is way cheaper.

(Stacking, as it's called, is what I call "Frequency domain multiplexing"... Normally you will find two transponders on each radio frequency, one odd, one even, They use some very simple antenna tricks to sort them out.. DiercTV sends two different voltages to the LNB, these choose "odd" or "even" and then the receiver tunes in the desired transponder.

Dish sends one voltage (I think one for 110 and the other for 119 but I'm not sure since the antenna I work with has only one LNB on it) and "Stacks" the two so on a frequency chart A____B is Odd and C____D is even

That can be split. so long as everyone is looking at the same satellite.

[wa8yxm]

NOTE: if you want to use 3 or 4 or 8 or so receivers

You still only need two lines.. ANd a switch inside

The switch sends "ODD" to one line "Even" to the other, and then it connects the receiver to whichever it wants.

[silverbowff]

Thanks for the info folks. Very much appreciated. I will install weather proof coax connectors in the outside walls of the RV and run separate satellite cables to each of the receivers at the TVs. I believe I can connect the RV antenna coax to the receivers and switch to antenna use if need be.

Cheers,

Jim

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnmarine My KVH antenna only has one cable coming from it. I currently have that going to the front TV. Other than replacing the antenna, how can I also run my rear TV on satilite?

Your KVH "may" have a dual output LNB. If so, you need to connect another cable to that output (you may have to check inside to see if one is available, but usually there is an additional port on the outside near the current coax connection). If you currently have a single output LNB (no additional output connection visible on the LNB inside the dome) you are stuck unless you can find out whether the dome can be updated to a dual LNB (still a single LNB but with a dual output).
If you have a one output LNB you will only be able to power one receiver.

[Abnmarine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Adams Your KVH "may" have a dual output LNB. If so, you need to connect another cable to that output (you may have to check inside to see if one is available, but usually there is an additional port on the outside near the current coax connection). If you currently have a single output LNB (no additional output connection visible on the LNB inside the dome) you are stuck unless you can find out whether the dome can be updated to a dual LNB (still a single LNB but with a dual output). If you have a one output LNB you will only be able to power one receiver.

I'll check the dome out tomorrow to see if I can install a second cable. Thanks.

[wa8yxm]

I would not use any existing coax on the Sat-receiver to satellite dish line, use only RG-6 that you install.

Now, as for hooking up to the TV's.. If your TV's have line in.. use the line in connectors (Various matching line-in schemes depending on the tv and receiver) and leave all the existing coax connections alone. That's way better than an RF feed anyway.

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

I would not use any existing coax on the Sat-receiver to satellite dish line, use only RG-6 that you install.

I would use any and all existing coax connections that are available. If you have to run new cables then run RG6. If you have existing cables they will do just fine.