Diplexng DirecTV / Off-Air Signals

[whitelp]

I need a witness from the congregation!

Recently upgraded to DirecTV HD package and then plugged in a Phillips VHF/UHF HD Antenna into the Off-Air jack on the back of the new DTV HD Receiver. The Off-Air Antenna worked OK indoors but really needed mounting externally. So I ordered a couple of diplexers so that I could run the Off-Air and DTV signals from the (now) co-located Off-Air Antenna and DirecTV dish over the same co-ax cable from the dish.

Unfortunately, this setup has caused my DirecTV HD channels to get 'jacked up' and become unavailable but left the local channels available in analog and HD via the satellite feed. I tried removing the cable into the Off-Air jack of the DTV HD Receiver and putting it straight into the TV's UHF jack, this made the local HD channels 'come alive' so to speak but I still have no DirecTV HD channels available.

What's the solution (apart from installing a separate cable run for the Off-Air antenna), if there is one(!) to get the DirecTV 'normal' channels, DirecTV HD channels, and local channel analog and HD feeds all playing nice together travelling along the same cable from the co-located Off-Air Antenna and DirecTV dish?

Thanks in advance for any/everyone's assistance on this.

Regards, PW

 

[boba]

If you have the new 5 LNB and you should, you can't diplex the OTA because the new system is designed to use the same frequencies for satellite and OTA.

 

[whitelp]

Boba,

Bugger! I was hoping the frequencies used were separate for the OTA and the satellite feed. Yes, I do have the 5 LNB dish setup. So, I'm assuming I'll have to revert back to the original setup (where I did have OTA, DTV HD, DTV non-HD, and local analog/HD all availabe) and have separate cabling for the (now) external OTA antenna? Anyone wanna buy a couple of diplexers??? Thanks.

PW

 

[jdspencer]

There is a way to do it but it requires a piece of equipment that blocks the Ka frequencies on one line that you diplex. Also, the diplexers have to only pass DC on the sat leg. You'd be much better off running a separate coax from the OTA.

 

[whitelp]

JD,

Thanks for the response.

I was just trying to have a tidy cabling/placate the wife scenario(!) but since she's now seen what 'naked' OTA HD looks like on the TV she dooen't mind the additional cable that will tidily snake its way up the side of the house.

Appreciate both yours and Boba's input on my posting.

Regards, PW