Will Ineed a SWM8 (or 16)...

[SeaWolf34]

To set up connection from my ODU to an HR 44 Genie ? I have an SL5 dish, w/ 5 LNB, which I will be setting up outside my travel trailer. I assumed that since it's a single wire going directly to my trailer's Sat Prep, then to the Genie, there should be no need for an SWM 8. I have no need to split the output to another IRD. I do have a WVB and a Mini Genie, but only for March madness. Don't really need a 2nd rcvr. [I recently abandoned Dish Net, so D* is like learning a new language!]

So, if I have 18v from my Sat Finder, or use a power- inserter to aim my SL5, is there a need for the $40+ SWM 8 to feed just the HR44?

Thanks for your thoughts. Request y'all hold the catcalls. (-:

Dennis (near the tundra of Lambeau Field)

 

[Hutch1814]

You'll need a SWM3 or SWM5 for the HR44. It also requires a power inserter to power the LNB itself. You could run 4 lines off the current LNB then just before the line goes in to your trailer connect the swm8 and run a jumper to the Trailer connection but it requires a 29 volt power supply to power that multi switch. Getting a SWM LNB is prolly going to be the cheaper way to go I think.

 

[raoul5788]

Dennis, just to be sure you understand, you do need a swm setup. It can be either from a swm lnb like Hutch says, or a swm8/16 switch with a standard ka/ku lnb. You will need a power inserter no matter which one you use. The swm lnb is the cheaper, easier way to go unless you already have a swm8/16 switch.

 

[SeaWolf34]

Dennis, just to be sure you understand, you do need a swm setup. It can be either from a swm lnb like Hutch says, or a swm8/16 switch with a standard ka/ku lnb. You will need a power inserter no matter which one you use. The swm lnb is the cheaper, easier way to go unless you already have a swm8/16 switch.

Thanks for your response Chip. I have a SWM5 LNB, same as on the setup for my home. I have the power inserter, so I should be good to go. I'm purchasing a "Tracker Light OTM 500" sat finder w/13-18 volt batteries for aiming purposes. Seems (?) I'm good to go!

Dennis

 

[Jimbo]

Thanks for your response Chip. I have a SWM5 LNB, same as on the setup for my home. I have the power inserter, so I should be good to go. I'm purchasing a "Tracker Light OTM 500" sat finder w/13-18 volt batteries for aiming purposes. Seems (?) I'm good to go!

Dennis

Do you set up dishes often ?
If so, you probably have no need to have an expensive Sat finder.
Save your money.
Use the recvr meter.

 

[SeaWolf34]

Do you set up dishes often ?
If so, you probably have no need to have an expensive Sat finder.
Save your money.
Use the recvr meter.

I've been setting up Dish Network dishes for years. However, I have it stuck in my mind (threads here and "You Tube" vids, that if I power the IRD before having properly aimed the SL5-SWM, the IRD will have a fit and lock me out (error codes, etc).

So, if I power the IRD (HR44) and have the power inserter on and properly connected, I should be able to access the the 101 and 110 satellites strength and quality readings? If true, then no nasty 771 (or ???) faults will shut it down?

Which leads to another question. How do I get to the meter? I'll find out one way or another, since I have a month to prepare. I saw the method on a video, but since then haven't been able locate it (the video).

Jimbo, thanks for your response, and "GO Buckey Badger!"

Dennis

 

[cinsu]

You shouldnt need the 110, it isn't used for CONUS. SD is on 101. HD is on 99 and 103 and depending on your market local channels may be on the 119.

If you power on the 44 without it having signal (but being connected to a SWM LNB) it will eventually get to a 771 error screen instead of receiving satellite info. Pressing menu or holding info (I don't remember which one it is) will bring up a menu and one of the options is signal strength. This is the graph like view and in there is the signal meter option.

Once you get it locked on and exit out of the signal strength it may have a blank screen. If it is unplugged for >24 it will lose its guide data and it is just reacquiring the guide. It should start showing programming within a minute or two.

 

[SeaWolf34]

You shouldnt need the 110, it isn't used for CONUS. SD is on 101. HD is on 99 and 103 and depending on your market local channels may be on the 119.

If you power on the 44 without it having signal (but being connected to a SWM LNB) it will eventually get to a 771 error screen instead of receiving satellite info. Pressing menu or holding info (I don't remember which one it is) will bring up a menu and one of the options is signal strength. This is the graph like view and in there is the signal meter option.

Once you get it locked on and exit out of the signal strength it may have a blank screen. If it is unplugged for >24 it will lose its guide data and it is just reacquiring the guide. It should start showing programming within a minute or two.

Thanks Cinsu. I meant Sat 119 when I wrote 110. My memory of aiming Dish Net got in the way. I have already paid online for a Tracker Light OTM 500 satellite aiming device. I am pretty sure I'll feel more more comfortable doing the aiming and confirming the result at the ODU. The OTM 500 provides a strength AND quality display for selected satellites. I did find the satellite strength meter in the HR44 when I tiptoed into the settings menu. Very confusing at first.

Thanks to all who replied. I think (Ha-Ha) I can handle it now.

 

[cinsu]

Thanks Cinsu. I meant Sat 119 when I wrote 110. My memory of aiming Dish Net got in the way. I have already paid online for a Tracker Light OTM 500 satellite aiming device. I am pretty sure I'll feel more more comfortable doing the aiming and confirming the result at the ODU. The OTM 500 provides a strength AND quality display for selected satellites. I did find the satellite strength meter in the HR44 when I tiptoed into the settings menu. Very confusing at first.

Thanks to all who replied. I think (Ha-Ha) I can handle it now.

It would probably be easiest to do it at the ODU, less hollering thru the window and/or running back and forth.

 

[texasbrit]

The tracker light will allow you to align 101 and 119 but you will still be dependent on the receiver for 99 and 103 signals....

 

[cinsu]

The tracker light will allow you to align 101 and 119 but you will still be dependent on the receiver for 99 and 103 signals....

As long as you tune in the 101 and 119 really good you should be pretty close on the 99 and 103. Just make sure you are accurate on your tilt (skew).

 

[texasbrit]

Typically if you can get 101 signals in the very high 90s or even 100, and the same with 119, (except thos transponders which have spotbeams, which might be low ior even zero) then you should be in the ballpark for 99/103. Until you get very high 90s/100 on 101 it's not even worth looking at 99/103. Then you should need only very small adjustments in the azimuth/elevation to get 99c/103ca and 103cb into the very high 80s to mid-90s. Don't worry about 99s and 103s, they are spotbeams pointing at different cities and so low or zero signals on most of those transponders are normal.

 

[SeaWolf34]

As long as you tune in the 101 and 119 really good you should be pretty close on the 99 and 103. Just make sure you are accurate on your tilt (skew).

That's the plan. Will be in Southern AZ, in my usual RV site. Learned long ago to be meticulous about manual aiming and tilting (skewing) before using a meter. Different equipment, same initial setup. Piece o' cake!

 

[dishcomm]

Thanks for your response Chip. I have a SWM5 LNB, same as on the setup for my home. I have the power inserter, so I should be good to go. I'm purchasing a "Tracker Light OTM 500" sat finder w/13-18 volt batteries for aiming purposes. Seems (?) I'm good to go!

Dennis

Don't buy an expensive meter to set up your system unless you are going to use the meter to run some service calls, etc.
If the antenna is located near the trailer, just set the receiver to the set up menu, satellite signal meter, crank volume and open window.

 

[texasbrit]

Don't buy an expensive meter to set up your system unless you are going to use the meter to run some service calls, etc.
If the antenna is located near the trailer, just set the receiver to the set up menu, satellite signal meter, crank volume and open window.

Newer DirecTV receivers don't have audio feedback of signal strength....