Sky Satellite amplifier?

Forums › Sky, Neon, Lightbox › Sky Satellite amplifier?

fatjoez

153 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#243007 23-Nov-2018 11:14

Hi there.
We have a freeview antenna + sky dish wires coming down from roof to a joiner and from there using a passive tap system to split up into multiple outlets.

Therefore the sky receiver boxes in each outlet can't power the dish.

Can someone please recommend an amplifier to power the return path to the sky dish and boost the signal going downstream a little too.

Have seen a few options from Matchmaster and also Alcad.

We just want a basic reliable option.

FYI our television signals are working fine so we don't need a TV+Satellite amplifier just a satellite is sufficient.

RunningMan

8913 posts

Uber Geek

#2132713 23-Nov-2018 14:04

You just need a power pass splitter, which can pass the DC back up the line. Often this will be on one port only, so a specific satellite receiver is the one powering the LNB.

fatjoez

153 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#2132787 23-Nov-2018 16:03

Yeah unfortunately we can't change that now as we have multiple TAPs in the distribution system and they are already installed.

One specific outlet could be 3 TAPs away from the TV/Satellite splitter and thus the dish so there is no way any usable power is going to get from the receiver boxes to the dish.

Any recommendations for power supplies for dish?

tripper1000

1609 posts

Uber Geek

#2132797 23-Nov-2018 16:38

Short story:

Splitting a satellite signal can lead to you not getting some channels/transponers due to polarity switching issues.

For the situation I think you are describing, the better solution is satellite LNB's that have multiple outputs such as this which enable each receiver to get the polarity it needs without one receiver messing up the others.

Long Story:

Power supply to the dish is altered by the receiver to change the polarity of reception - 18v for one direction, 12v for the other. A (slave) receiver that doesn't have the ability to swap the polarity/voltage will loose some channels. When the master receiver/power supply changes the polarity of the signal, it can wipe out the reception of the 'slave' receivers. This isn't a major of Freeview/sky as most channels are on same polarity, but can be annoying/prohibitive.

Are you in an apartment complex or similar? If so, the power to the dish only needs to be 'fixed' if everyone else is also getting no signal. If there is any signal there, however weak, the dish is getting power.

Apsattv

2380 posts

Uber Geek

#2132806 23-Nov-2018 16:47

Sky and Freeview only use the H pol so there shouldnt be an issue? if its a multroom sky install then its them you need to talk to.

RunningMan

8913 posts

Uber Geek

#2132810 23-Nov-2018 17:07

Get an 18v power inserter then.

https://www.matchmaster.co.nz/amplifiers-and-modulators/10mm-psm18f/

fatjoez

153 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#2132819 23-Nov-2018 17:45

Very informative thanks.

Setup is in apartment building 3 levels

Roof - Sky Dish installed + Freeview

2x individual RG11 feeds coming down

Join together with a 2-1 splitter

Connect to 8x TAP
Connect to another 8x TAP
Connect to another 8x TAP
Connect to another 8x TAP
Connect to another 8x TAP

We only tested one outlet in one apartment but safe to say most if not all will have the issue of no signal.

One option recommended by a local shop was to use this just inside after the roof feed:
http://www.alkris.co.nz/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2067&products_id=22790

This is a bit excess as the TV signals are all OK so we only need to power the satellite.

Based on above @Runningman does the power supply address this issue?

RunningMan

8913 posts

Uber Geek

#2132889 23-Nov-2018 18:59

If all you want to do is power the LNB, then what I posted above is all you need.

However, I suggest you need to get an installer in who specialises in this stuff if you are trying to fit out that many units.

Normally, you use a diplexer to combine signals, not a splitter. A splitter, well, splits.

Mighty Ape

Shop now on Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

Brunzy

2016 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2132914 23-Nov-2018 19:18

Running man has your answer, but it doesn’t make sense . Are you sure there isn’t an amp in a riser somewhere that is switched off?
That many taps should need an amp somewhere .
Regardless the body corp / property management should be taking care of this.

Brunzy

2016 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2132916 23-Nov-2018 19:19

Also , why haven’t you contacted the company who installed the system?

Apsattv

2380 posts

Uber Geek

#2132969 23-Nov-2018 21:25

The whole thing should be done using a multiswitch.. with 16 or 32 outputs..

example..

https://www.matchmaster.co.nz/amplifiers-and-modulators/10mm-mst308/

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#2132978 23-Nov-2018 21:53

Brunzy: Running man has your answer, but it doesn’t make sense . Are you sure there isn’t an amp in a riser somewhere that is switched off?
That many taps should need an amp somewhere .
Regardless the body corp / property management should be taking care of this.

I agree. It doesn't make sense. With that many apartments with outlets there has to be a power feed to the Dish from somewhere otherwise it's pointless having the Dish at all.

Get the Body Corp/Property Manager to sort it. Surely if all the other apartments have no Sky reception somebody must have complained already. Any Sky installer would have had a problem getting a signal without power and surely would have investigated why? Or do none of them have Sky?