Newbie needs a little help

[AllWxFlyer]

Well after all my research and speculation, I finally
bought an FTA system. (I jumped in with both feet---
HEAD FIRST---)
I picked up a Mercury II rcvr, Fortec 90cm dish, QPH031
LNB and an SM21H switch. Oh, I also got a DG240 motor
to move the dish.
I think I've thought out how/where I'll mount the dish,
do the aiming procedures etc, and run cable into the
hamshack to the Receiver(s) and such, but I have one
question that I haven't quite figured out yet.
I also have an existing DishNetwork system in the shack
with the 311 rcvr, for the 110 and 119 sats.
Here's the question.
With the LNB having both linear and circular feeds,
going to the switch and a single run of coax to the
receiver (about 50' total run), what type of splitter
(or switching assy) would I need at the receiver end
in order to run both receivers? (Linear feed for the
DISH system and circular for the FTA receiver).
Or, would it be more favorable to run 2 lengths of
coax - one for each receiver- and bypass the SM21H
switch?? That would be the simpler way, but wouldn't
be as much fun to figure out.
If I went the single feedline route with a splitter,
would one side of the splitter need to be a pass-thru
feed? If so which receiver would be better to control
the 22KC switch?
Maybe I'm thinking too deep into this and there is a
simple answer that I can't see yet.
I've drawn this scenario out on paper a half dozen
times and still get stuck on the splitter configuration.
Suggestions? Answers? Alternatives?
Thanks for any and all help and suggestions,
John K1RC
nr Boston

 

[kingofku]

Well after all my research and speculation, I finally
bought an FTA system. (I jumped in with both feet---
HEAD FIRST---)
I picked up a Mercury II rcvr, Fortec 90cm dish, QPH031
LNB and an SM21H switch. Oh, I also got a DG240 motor
to move the dish.
I think I've thought out how/where I'll mount the dish,
do the aiming procedures etc, and run cable into the
hamshack to the Receiver(s) and such, but I have one
question that I haven't quite figured out yet.
I also have an existing DishNetwork system in the shack
with the 311 rcvr, for the 110 and 119 sats.
Here's the question.
With the LNB having both linear and circular feeds,
going to the switch and a single run of coax to the
receiver (about 50' total run), what type of splitter
(or switching assy) would I need at the receiver end
in order to run both receivers? (Linear feed for the
DISH system and circular for the FTA receiver).
Or, would it be more favorable to run 2 lengths of
coax - one for each receiver- and bypass the SM21H
switch?? That would be the simpler way, but wouldn't
be as much fun to figure out.
If I went the single feedline route with a splitter,
would one side of the splitter need to be a pass-thru
feed? If so which receiver would be better to control
the 22KC switch?
Maybe I'm thinking too deep into this and there is a
simple answer that I can't see yet.
I've drawn this scenario out on paper a half dozen
times and still get stuck on the splitter configuration.
Suggestions? Answers? Alternatives?
Thanks for any and all help and suggestions,
John K1RC
nr Boston

John:
Keep your coaxial cables separate. Yes, it can be done, but its not worth the trouble. The dishmover power runs through the coaxial cable, so you would have to do some voltage switching, add a 22khz switch. Way too much trouble.

Also, Dish Network is circularly polarized and the FTA stuff is linear. You had it backwards.

Since you don't have a spectrum analyzer (or maybe you do...even better), make sure your mount is perfectly plumb and you have all your elevation numbers. Check out Coastal Satellite - Welcome! at the bottom of the page on the right is a link to a look angle calculator that may be helpful. BTW, its the company the signs my paycheck. I operate of their trucks similar to the Videolink trunks that you may have seen running around the Boston area.

Good luck.
Alan

 

[Anole]

second opinion

Don't mix the Dish with the FTA.
Dish equipment recognizes their special hardware . . . only.
FTA can be configured in dozens of ways that can work.
It's just a matter of telling the FTA receiver exactly what'ch got.

Your LNB is linear and circular; your dish is motorized.
If you want Dish's NASA channel on your FTA equipment, you can aim at it.

Here's just one more nice site you can use to get aiming info: GeoSatFinder

 

[AllWxFlyer]

Thanks guys for setting me straight.
Alan, just so happens I DO have a spectrum analyzer. I picked up an
HP 182T with a 22GHz plug-in. I think that may come in handy when
setting up the system. Tweak and peak till I get it right.

I went to your website. Super trucks. Frontline is one of my customers.
My company supplies RF equipment for ENG and SNG news vans and
fixed STL/TSL links etc. for TV broadcast. I do mostly news camera TX's
and portable/tripod/helo/IR pod/Homeland security stuff...
This FTA stuff is new to me, but I think I can get the hang of it.

Thanks again,
John K1RC
nr Boston

 

[Anole]

John K1RC, near Boston -

Welcome aboard.
Nice selection of equipment.
Must show good breeding.
I have same rx and dish; different Invacom & motor.

You'll find a number of hams, here.
Some of us just don't advertize.

And everyone gets helped (as best we can).
So, you'll get the hang of it quickly... or else!

 

[iafirebuff]

WELCOME! KC0HBB here!