Portable Satellite Cable

[jeffo]

I Have a single coax ran from the overhead console to the back lower storage compartment for cable TV hookup. I need to hook up a portable satellite dish and was thinking of using this coax with an A-B switch before it goes into the receiver so I can switch from sat, to cable depending on what's available at the campground. Will this work?


Jeff

[Bill_Satellite]

Sounds like you have it right.
Have fun.

[jeffo]

From what I can sort out from the replies, I should be able to use a good quality A-B switch and use a common coax for sat and cable. On my my first class A I ran an extra coax from the overhead down thru the window post and had to remove a lot of trim in order to do this.
This is however an option on this coach. I will be using a tailgator/ 211 receiver that only needs a single coax for operation.

Thanks for all the advice

Jeff

[Bill_Satellite]

Again, don't get confused by the variety of postings. You can do what you would like to do. You can also do other things. If you are interested in other things please let us know.

[wingsfan20]

Simple solution. Ignore existing cable connections with amplifiers and such when trying to hook up satellite. Added new through the wall Coax connector for Satellite use only. Use existing tv antenna/amplifier for off air HDTV which is routed through Dish receiver for recording on Dish 722 DVR.

[Bill_Satellite]

jeffo wrote:
I Have a single coax ran from the overhead console to the back lower storage compartment for cable TV hookup. I need to hook up a portable satellite dish and was thinking of using this coax with an A-B switch before it goes into the receiver so I can switch from sat, to cable depending on what's available at the campground. Will this work?


Jeff

You may be confused by now, the the absolute answer is YES YOU CAN.
Just be sure the cable you describe is indeed a direct run with no other connections or splitters in the line. I used to do this all the time for folks who had a cable connect that runs from the wet bay to the Winegard power supply. Both cable and OTA TV come into that box and you can remove the one coax cable and connect it to an A/B switch. From the A/B switch, one cable feeds back to the original cable connection on the power supply and the other goes to the satellite receiver. This way you can connect either satellite or cable to the same outside connection and use the A/B switch to feed the appropriate device.
Now, I am a big fan of buying a good A/B switch and the one I prefer is sold by Radio Shack and is called a High Isolation A/B switch. I believe it costs $19.

[rockylarson]

I have been using an A/B slider switch for my Direct TV dishes since day one. A goes to roof top and B goes to remote dish when needed to get the proper view away from the MH. However mine is standard def only, not high def, and not the new "Swim" technology. Don't know if they will work.

[Johno02]

Yes, if you only need one coax from the dish to your receiver. Some require two, in that case you are out of luck. The type of A-B switch may have an impact also. Not only is the signal going via the coax. they are control signals to the dish included that the Switch may effect. I used the same cable for years, but actually changed the cable without a switch.

[TechWriter]

Johno02 wrote:
Yes, if you only need one coax from the dish to your receiver. Some require two, in that case you are out of luck.

Wrong -- you just use 2 ABs then. See me previous post w/wiring diagram.

Johno02 wrote:

The type of A-B switch may have an impact also. Not only is the signal going via the coax. they are control signals to the dish included that the Switch may effect.

Unless you're spending big $$$, I've found most ABs to be the same and they work with DISH signals just fine. DirecTV? Beats me.

[Johno02]

Yes, if you only need one coax from the dish to your receiver. Some require two, in that case you are out of luck. The type of A-B switch may have an impact also. Not only is the signal going via the coax. they are control signals to the dish included that the Switch may effect. I used the same cable for years, but actually changed the cable without a switch.

[TechWriter]

jeffo wrote:
I Have a single coax ran from the overhead console to the back lower storage compartment for cable TV hookup. I need to hook up a portable satellite dish and was thinking of using this coax with an A-B switch before it goes into the receiver so I can switch from sat, to cable depending on what's available at the campground. Will this work?

It should work just fine. I use a couple of ABs to switch from rooftop Traveler, portable dish, and cable input.

[jeffo]

I did not mention that I have a video switch that distributes the signal to the 3 tv,s. The power amplifier is in the switch so it will not be inline between the portable dish and the A-B switch.

[2oldman]

Snowman9000 wrote:
My answer is already better.

I did that too, but that's not exactly an AB switch. 🙂

[Snowman9000]

My answer is already better. It works. We use it all the time.
🙂

But I did find a clearer write up of the mod:
http://www.flamingsquid.com/images/satellite_rewire.pdf

[2oldman]

Well, given these opinions, perhaps the web will provide a better answer.