Panamax Rg59 Warning

[red hazard]

I purchased a PANAMX M8HC-PRO Surge Protector for use with a newly acquired Vip 622 because it has two satellite coax protection circuits and was DishPro approved (at least according to PANAMAX - - I don't have access to the newest E* approved accessories list). The PANAMAX advertising, packing box, and user instructions indicate the two included short coax cables to facilitate hook-up are RG6. Upon close examination, it's actually RG59 which the 622 owners manual says not to use. An enquiring email to 'custrelations@panamax.com' went ignored after two business days so be forewarned.

 

[ats7627]

The only Panamax DP compatible surge protector on the approved accessory list as of 5-01-07 is the SurgeProtector8 DBS+2

 

[Van]

I used to sell them for dish when we had them and they always came with RG-6 jumpers so maybe its possible that your either mistaken or the wrong jumper was put in by mistake, either way its a $1.00 cable so why not just go to the local radio shack and get a jumper?

 

[red hazard]

PANAMAX Finally Replied - - They Are Sending RG6

I used to sell them for dish when we had them and they always came with RG-6 jumpers so maybe its possible that your either mistaken or the wrong jumper was put in by mistake, either way its a $1.00 cable so why not just go to the local radio shack and get a jumper?

It's RG59. It's thinner than RG6, the stinger is 20 AWG vice 18 and it's labeled, albeit very faintly, RG59. Why not you go to Radio Shack and buy the jumpers for me since they're only $1.00 each (which I doubt). I'll PM my address.

The real issue is all the folks that get the RG59 and don't know the difference and then have problems with their DISH PRO system. The even transponders, at a minimum, will be sensitive to rain fade. In my email I asked if they were going to make a public announcement - - no response to that question. All they said was that they will notify the packing department. Who knows how long this problem existed.

 

[Allin4greeN]

Just curious, is the difference between RG6 and RG59 really that drastic?

To the best of my knowledge, my last install used existing RG59 runs from outside my apartment to inside (2 runs @ approx. 50' each) with DPP and DP LNB/switches, and I haven't had an issue in over two years...

 

[Van]

It's RG59. It's thinner than RG6, the stinger is 20 AWG vice 18 and it's labeled, albeit very faintly, RG59. Why not you go to Radio Shack and buy the jumpers for me since they're only $1.00 each (which I doubt). I'll PM my address.

The real issue is all the folks that get the RG59 and don't know the difference and then have problems with their DISH PRO system. The even transponders, at a minimum, will be sensitive to rain fade. In my email I asked if they were going to make a public announcement - - no response to that question. All they said was that they will notify the packing department. Who knows how long this problem existed.

Ant hills bubby, ant hills and sure I'll buy you that jumper but its a $59 COD.

 

[Van]

Just curious, is the difference between RG6 and RG59 really that drastic?

To the best of my knowledge, my last install used existing RG59 runs from outside my apartment to inside (2 runs @ approx. 50' each) with DPP and DP LNB/switches, and I haven't had an issue in over two years...

Its not so noticeable with legacy gear, more with dishpro, and your probably talking about minutes with dishpro plus. Ive seen legacy systems running on 59 fine for 7 years on 15 year old cable yet a legacy system go down in a brand new house wired with 59 and the install was only a day old. Seen a few dishpro systems run on it fine for 2 years or more to so really its hit or miss but I wouldnt do it with dpp and expect it to run for long at all. I think in your instance if there are no splices in the 59 run wich Im asuming goes from the switch into the recievers and its relatively new then it should be fine for now but dont hold your breath.

 

[red hazard]

Rg59

Just curious, is the difference between RG6 and RG59 really that drastic?

To the best of my knowledge, my last install used existing RG59 runs from outside my apartment to inside (2 runs @ approx. 50' each) with DPP and DP LNB/switches, and I haven't had an issue in over two years...

I guess E* is the only one who can give an official answer. In addition to the signal attenuation issue, I would speculate that E*, when testing vendors' barrel connectors, TVSS(s), ground blocks, etc. for Dish Pro approval, test them with RG6 which has a larger center conductor (18 AWG vs. 20 AWG) and is verified to consistently pass the ~ .5 amp required by DDP LNBFs such as the 1000.2. Using RG59 in these same female F connectors probably would give less favorable test results (18 AWG has ~ 59% more surface area than 20 AWG). E* definitely does NOT recommend RG59 jumpers in the profile between the receiver and LNBF. The RG59 jumpers that come with the VIP 622 receiver are labeled with: "For connections between the satellite receiver and the television only."

Anyway, my position with PANAMAX is that you should get what you paid for and including RG59 with a TVSS claimed to be DP approved is just plain wrong.

 

[red hazard]

Dish Pro Approved??

The only Panamax DP compatible surge protector on the approved accessory list as of 5-01-07 is the SurgeProtector8 DBS+2

Thanks for the info. This brings up a very interesting point. I sent a second email to PANAMAX on a different Surge Protector Monday May 3rd:
(quote)
Panamax,

I have your model M8DBS5 with a manufactured date stamped on the back of
20031104 that is still new. I recently purchased a Dish Network model
622 receiver and want to use the M8DBS5 as it protects 4 coax lines, 2 satellite and 2 CATV and the 622 has two satellite connections, a CATV/antenna connection and a house distribution coax output that I intend to connect through the second CATV protection circuit.

As this is a DishPro receiver, I note that your site link http://www.panamax.com/sitesearch.cfm?sec=site indicates the M8DBS5 is DishPro approved. Your link http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?sec=detail&id=8&ly=v shows the satellite coax protection circuit has less than 1 db of attenuation from 950 MHz to 2.2 GHz. However, the information on the box of the M8DBS5 I have indicates the less than 1 db of attenuation only extends to frequency 2.0 GHz. Is this just a misprint or do some of the earlier manufactured units have additional attenuation above 2.0 Ghz? This is important to me as DishPro I.F. extends to 2.15 GHz.

Thanks
(unquote) No reply received (yet).


I had previously researched the PANAMAX site and they claimed the following 4 Surge Protector's were DishPro approved in addition to the one you mentioned:

M8DBS5 http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?sec=detail&id=8&ly=v
M8DBS-EX http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?sec=detail&id=249&ly=v
M8HC-PRO http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?sec=detail&id=236&ly=v
PM8DBS-EX http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?sec=detail&id=238&ly=v

The Dish Pro approval claim was in the PDF Product Data Sheet on the pages of the above links. HOWEVER, O/A this past Wednesday, those PDF links became dead (The page cannot be found). HOWEVER, the PDF Product Data Sheet for the SurgeProtector8 DBS+2 (which really is DP approved ) in the link: http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?sec=detail&id=9&ly=v is still active and shows the DP approval.

SOMETHING DON'T SMELL RIGHT! False advertising maybe??