| Answer: | Adding a new dish for the 61.5° satellite
Setting up an additional satellite dish to receive the programming from the half conus Dish Network satellite at the 61.5 degree orbital position is only applicable to those that either wish to receive the high definition VOOM programming, or are in local channel markets that are serviced by the 61.5 degree satellite.
Currently, the only markets serviced by this satellite are:
Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA
Buffalo, NY
Chicago, IL
Cleveland, OH
Detroit, MI
Greenville, SC
Indianapolis, IN
Louisville, KY
Nashville, TN
New York, NY
Orlando, FL
Philadelphia, PA
Roanoke, VA
St. Louis, MO
Tampa, FL
Washington, D.C.
The 61.5 degree satellite is located over the East coast of the United States. Because of this, this satellite may be difficult to receive for those on the West coast, due to the fact that the farther west you are, the lower the satellite is on the horizon. If you are on the West coast and your location has any trees, mountains or any other obstacles, you will want to perform a full site survey prior to purchasing any additional equipment to ensure that you can receive the satellite from your location. The 61.5 degree satellite is not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
Please note that if it is your intention to receive the high definition channels from the VOOM service, you will first need to upgrade your receiver to one that is capable of receiving high definition channels, such as a 921 or 942 system.
After you have performed a site survey and confirmed that you are able to receive the satellite at 61.5 degrees, the next step is to check to see what kind of equipment you currently have in your system. This is due to the fact that different systems and configurations will require different switches in order to properly combine the signal together.
There are 2 different types of configurations with dish Network systems. The older single LNBF systems, as well as the newer DISH500 systems use a switch with "SW" preceeding the model number. This is also known as a legacy system. You should also be able to confirm this by entering your receivers menu, then 6, 1, 1 and choose the Check switch option, then summary.
The second type of system is a DISHPRO system, such as those used in a SUPERDISH configuration. In a Dishpro system, the switch has a "DP" preceeding the model number. As the DishPro system mixes both circular and linear polarization technologies, it is not possible to mix legacy and dishpro switches. dishpro systems use a stacked LNBF and are only compatible with select newer receivers.
The vast majority of installs will use a legacy system. The Dishpro is used only in markets where a SUPERDISH is required to receive the local channel programming from one of Echostars newer linear polarized satellites.
In order to receive the programming from the 61.5 degree satellite, you will need to aquire a second single LNBF 18" dish.
Please note that Directv and Voom dishes will work fine, or you can purchase a single dish from your local satellite retailer. In most cases, you will also need to upgrade your current satellite switch, or purchase an addon switch to allow you to add in the addition satellite feed into your system.
Legacy Configurations
- If you currently have a 500 Twin or 500 Quad switch, you will need an additional dish and an additional SW-21 switch. A 500 switch receives programming from the 110 and 119 degree satellites. The twin switch feeds up to 2 receivers and a quad switch feeds up to 4 receivers. To install, place the sw21 switch in between your 500 switch and your LNBF and connect the other side of the SW21 switch to the second dish LNBF and perform acheck switch routine in your receivers diagnostics.
- If you currently have a SW44 switch, you will also need a SW21 and an additional dish. To install, place the Sw21 in between your main dish LNBF and your SW44 switch and connect the other side of the switch to the second dish LNBF. Be sure that you do not use port 1 on the SW44 switch as this includes a power inserter, which will burn out your SW21 switch. If your second dish has a dual LNBF, you also have the option of replacing your SW44 switch with a SW64 switch.
If you have a SW64 switch, you can add the second dish DUAL LNBf to the switch using the third satellite input. This will not work with a single LNBF. Be sure not to use port 1, which includes a power inserter.
Legacy Switch Types
* 500 Twin - Picks up 110° & 119° and can feed 2 receivers MAX.
* 500 Quad - Picks up 110° & 119° and can feed 4 receivers.
* SW21 - Used to combine LNBs and/or one LNB and one Switch.
* SW42 - Basically 2 SW21s in 1 box. Uses the same switching as the 500 Twin.
* SW44 - Used for 2 sat locations. Requires a Power Inserter. Requires 2 lines from each LNB. Feeds up to 4 receivers.
* SW64 - Used for 3 sat locations. Requires a Power Inserter. Requires 2 lines from each LNB. Feeds up to 4 receivers.
* Single LNB - DBS LNB that only has 1 output. Can ONLY be connected to 1 receiver.
* Dual LNB - DBS LNB that had 2 outputs. Can be connected to 2 receivers or to a switch to go to 4 or more receivers.
* 2x4 or 3x4 MultiSwitch - Simple multiswitch that allows a Dual LNB to be connected to up to 4 receivers. Also available in a 2x8 and 3x8 for up to 8 receivers. CAN be used with E*, but the setups get horribly complicated and are NOT recommended
for anyone other than an Expert.
DISHPRO Switch Types
Dishpro switches have a dishpro logo or DPPlus logo on them. They are not compatible with regular legacy type switches. They are generally used in situations where there are multiple receivers or in Superdish configurations.
* DP Single or Dual - DP LNB for 1 sat location.
* DP Twin - Picks up 110° & 119° - Can feed 2 receivers directly OR be connected to another switch. When connected to a DP34 or DP+44, you need BOTH lines connected to these switches.
* DP Quad - Picks up 110° & 119° - Can feed 2 receivers directly OR be connected to another switch. When connected to a DP34 or DP+44, you need at LEAST 2 lines connected to these switches. The other 2 can be connected directly to a receiver, but you won't get the extra sat locations from the DP34 or DP+44.
* DP21 - Similar to the SW21. Connects 1 DP Single or DP Dual LNB to another LNB or switch. CANNOT connect 2 DP switches together.
* DP34 - Allows up to 3 satellites to be connected to up to 4 receivers. Can be connected to 2 more DP34s for up to 12 receivers/tuners. REQUIRES 1 wire from each location.
* DP+Twin - Picks up 110° & 119°, Can feed up to 2 dual tuner receivers. Has a port to add a 3rd location built into it. CAN be used with a DP+ Separator. Can be connected to a DP34 or a DP+44, but will ONLY transmit 110° & 119° when connected this way.
* DP+44 - Allows up to 4 satellites to be connected to 4 receivers or up to 8 tuners with the DP+ Seperators. Requires POWER INSERTION.
* DP+ Seperator - Allows a DP+ Dual Tuner receiver (322/522/625/721/921/942) to connect to a DP+44 or DP+ Twin (excluding the 721 right now) with only 1 wire.
* SuperDish 105° or 121° - Used with the FSS satellites at those locations. The SuperDish comes with a DP34. It can be connected to a DP+44 as well. SuperDishes DO NOT pick up 61.5°. You NEED a second dish.
Dishpro Notes:
You CANNOT run a DP21 into a DP34, DP+44, or DP+Twin. It only works BETWEEN these switches and the receiver. Also, using a
DP21 with a DP+ switch removes the ability to use the DP+ Separator, so PLEASE keep this in mind.
The DP21 cannot be used with the DP+ separators as used on dual tuner receivers. IF you use a DP21 with a DP+44, you will have to use 2 DP21s and 2 lines to the receiver.
If you have a DP Twin or Quad - You will need an 18" dish and a DP Single or DP Dual LNB to get 61.5° as well as a DP21 (or 2 for 2 receivers). Connect the line from the DP Twin or Quad to the DP21 and connect the other DP LNB to the DP21.
If you have a DP34 - You can connect the DP34 and another DP LNB with a DP21. OR you can replace the DP34 with a DP+44 and add the new dish and DP LNB to the DP+44.
If you have an DP+44 and do not get 61.5° - You can connect the DP+44 and the other DP LNB with an DP21. DO NOT USE PORT 1 due to the power inserter. It will DESTROY the DP21!
Please keep in mind that a DP switch, like the DP21, DP+Twin, DP34, or DP+44 REQUIRE 1 wire from each LNB/location.
When cascading 1 DP34 into another DP34, if you want the same satellites on all tuners, you MUST connect each output from the first DP34 into each input on the 2nd DP34 (they do NOT have to be in the same order). Same goes for the DP+44. You can also
cascade a DP+44 into a DP34, but you will lose 1 satellite in this configuration. Also keep in mind that when cascading DP34s that at least 1 receiver on the first switch MUST be plugged in to power the switch. With the DP+44s, you MUST have the power inserters plugged in for each switch for them to see the signals.
Using a DP Twin on a D500 to get 61.5°
1. Set the skew of the D500 at 90 degress so that the arm is not tilted.
2. Connect the DP Twin DIRECTLY to a receiver.
3. Cover the 110° side of the LNB with a piece of tin foil or thick cloth.
4. Set the elevation. Tune the dish.
5. Once you have the signal locked, connect the dish to your equipment. Remove the cover.
6. Run the check switch. It SHOULD show 4 locations with 1 as an X for signal and NC for sat (assuming you are connecting to a DP34. A DP21 should only "see" the 119° side to begin with).
When using the DP Twin with a DP21, you may have problems when using a DPTwin on the 110°/119° since the DP21 only "sees" 1 switch. You may have to re-run the switch check a few times. The DP34 should not have any problems.
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