Octo or Quattro + Multiswitch

gselectrical · Jun 21, 2011

I know this has been discussed a lot recently, but bear with me!

I'm coming up to 2nd fix stage of a small b&b. Originally the owners wanted freeview distributed. So RG6 Sat cable was ran to every room (8 in total) from the attic. Now they have changed their mind and want satellite signals distributed so thir guests can watch freesat in each room. They see this as more future proof. I wish they'd told me this during 1st fix!

Anyway, I can quite easily get some coax cables to a dish from the attic where the 8 RG6's are coiled.

Bearing in mind the type of coax cable that has been used (I'd have normally used a better quality coax for sat distribution) what would be the best option? An Octo LNB with a 60cm dish and 8 cables jointed onto the 8cables feeding the rooms, or a quattro LNB 60cm dish, 4 cables feeding a multiswitch and then the 8 cables distributing from this?

The longest run of RG6 Sat cable is 25 metres

Distance from dish to coil of cables is 5 metres

Do I actually need a 60cm dish?

Any help much appreciated

GS

Badger · Jun 21, 2011

gs the idea of a bigger dish against a small dish is it directs the signal more precisly onto the lnb, and because the sky signals either work in the horizontal plane or vertical plane dependant on which way the signal is transmitted it depends on which plane for each signal is needeed on different channels. id say you need to know what the area is like, are you in a very tree built up area etc which affects the signals also if using 4 generally youll be ok with the small dish but if going higher to octo lnb then id deffo go a bigger dish.

hth

gselectrical · Jun 21, 2011

gs the idea of a bigger dish against a small dish is it directs the signal more precisly onto the lnb, and because the sky signals either work in the horizontal plane or vertical plane dependant on which way the signal is transmitted it depends on which plane for each signal is needeed on different channels. id say you need to know what the area is like, are you in a very tree built up area etc which affects the signals also if using 4 generally youll be ok with the small dish but if going higher to octo lnb then id deffo go a bigger dish. hth

Thanks badge.

Theres a clear sight of the sky. No trees obstructing. Ideally I would like to use as small a dish as possible. I don't think the owners are too keen on a large dish. So wat's the smallest dish I could use, with a multiswitch and a quattro LNB? Taking into concideration cable runs etc. Will the RG6 cable I have put in be ok to distribute signals over this distance?

Cheers

GS

Badger · Jun 21, 2011

standard mini sky dish for quad lnb as ours uses that size (we have 4 cables to the dish

)

rg 6 is ok for sat signals just use decent crimp f plugs on it not those screw on crap!

shopping list

Satellite Mini Dish & Quad LNB for SKY FREESAT Zone 1 | eBay UK (satellite dish and quad lnb)

http://www.free-instruction-manuals.com/pdf/p4750479.pdf (this is the instructions that i found online for the distribution system)

Labgear MS512E/S Enhanced Multi-Switch Distribution 12- | eBay UK (distribution unit needed)

TRIPLE RADIO/SKY/CABLE/ANTENNA F-TYPE COAX WALL PLATE | eBay UK (triplex coax plates needed for the signal generated from above unit.)

Outdoor Compression F Connector Pack of 10 | Screwfix.com (f plugs that will be used to connect cables from dish, aerial and triplex plates to distribution system)

Labgear TV Aerial Digital 32-Element | Screwfix.com (aerial to give the terrestrial signals)

1.8m Aerial Mast - Each | Screwfix.com

Labgear TV Aerial Chimney Fixing Kit | Screwfix.com

Labgear TV Aerial Stand Off Bracket 9" | Screwfix.com

(1.8Metre mast with optional chimney kit OR wall mount bracket )

VHF/FM Omni-Directional Aerial & 10m Cable | Screwfix.com (digital radio aerial)

Labgear PSF410/S Combiner/Splitter 4-Band | Screwfix.com (combiner for the dab/fm and uhf signal)

hope thats of use,

kmaccui · Jun 21, 2011

have a look around and see what the most common size of dish is and that should give you a better idea.

tbh its a b+b do they really need freesat rather than freeview?

the boxes for freesat are a wee bit more expensive and you get the same channels/programmes with only a few exceptions

but thats not your problem

the cable should be ok its only short runs