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22 September 2005


Installing a Two LNB Multi Switch


What is an LNB multi switch? A multi switch is different from a DiSEqC switch or a 22khz
switch in that it enables more than one receiver to use an LNB at the same time. How? Rather
than switching the LNB between the receivers, the multi switch moves the receivers between the
LNBs. And each receiver is connected independently of the others. A basic diagram is drawn
below.







The benefits? You can have more than one receiver using an LNB at a time with very little signal
loss. It gives full choices of all transponders (on the same polarity i.e. either horizontal or
vertical) to each receiver.


How do you connect it? Here comes the part that needs a little bit of thinking. First you need to
understand how the multi switch changes between LNBs. Look at the picture below:

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Notice that the LNB connections are labeled LNB V and LNB H. When a receiver sends down the
coax to the LNB, and the switch, an 18v signal to tell the LNB to select horizontal polarity, the
LNB switch first selects LNB H and then allows that voltage to pass on to the LNB connected to
that port. If the receiver instead sends the 13v vertical voltage, the switch would select LNB V and
then pass on that voltage to the LNB connected to that port.

Now you will realize immediately that you select, during the setup of the receiver (or it may be
preprogrammed), the polarity chosen for each satellite channel. You may also be aware that
virtually all of the Ku Band satellites are currently vertical transmission, whereas many of the C
Band satellites are horizontal transmission (some are both).

This presents a problem. If you want to have a LNB on LNB H port that is to receive from a
vertical transmission, your receiver will change the LNB polarity to horizontal and stop your
reception. What do you do? First lets consider what happens inside an LNB when you select the
polarity.

Polarity Selection: Inside an LNB is two small antenna. Depending on the voltage the satellite
receiver sends down the coax cable, the LNB will select to receive from either the vertical or the
horizontal antenna. The antenna are 90deg apart. If you were to look down the throat of the LNB
it would look something like this:



If you were to rotate the LNB 90deg it would look like this:

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Now when your receiver selects the 18v horizontal polarity, it actually receives the vertical signals
because the horizontal antenna is aligned vertically. It does not matter which direction (i.e.
clockwise or anticlockwise) you turn the LNB, as long as it is 90deg difference.

Quick Guide Dish Setup: Align your dish and LNB exactly how you would normally do it. If you
have a twin LNB system (with two separate LNBs per dish) then test them individually as they
are.

Next decide which LNB will be on which port of the switch and then rotate the LNB to suit.

Lastly change the settings in the receiver menu so that the receiver selects the correct port for
that satellite. Further explanation below.

For example: Say you wanted to receive from Optus B1 and Optus C1 on a twin dish system like
the picture below. We want to receive off both of these satellites on vertical polarity.

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You set up the system and test each LNB and the channels from that satellite. Then we decide to
connect the Optus B1 LNB (the LNB in the right of the picture on the stainless steel arm) to the
LNB V port on the switch. We do not adjust this LNB in any way. Just connect it. Nor do we need
to change anything in the receiver menu for Optus B1 because we want to receive vertical
channels.

However the Optus C1 LNB (the one in the left of the picture, in the plastic mount) will need to be
rotated 90deg (either way). This is because it will be told by the receiver to change to horizontal
polarity. Now we change the setting in the receiver menu to select 18v horizontal for Optus C1
(refer to your user manual or retailer for help on doing this).

Now when your receiver selects any channel from Optus B1, the switch will select that LNB via
LNB V port. When you select any channel from Optus C1, your receiver will switch to that LNB by
telling the switch you want horizontal signals, it will also switch your LNB to horizontal polarity
but you have tricked it by turning your LNB 90deg and so you will still get your vertical channels
off Optus C1. And so will two other receivers in your home.

When is the Multi Switch not used? If you are receiving from a satellite that beams to New
Zealand on both horizontal and vertical polarities then you can not use a multi switch because the
LNB is stuck in one polarity setting. If you change the polarity setting, a different LNB is selected.
However for the most popular Ku Band channels, such as those on the Optus satellites, this is a
great way to have more than one receiver in your house, because they are only on one polarity.


Final notes:

This switch is suitable for mounting outside, preferably under some cover such as the eave of a
house. However F connectors with a waterproof seal must be used, a drip loop must be put in the
cable run and we suggest sealing the connections further with silicon sealer or self amalgamating
tape.

Hook Technologies also manufacture a special Twin Sat LNB for 60-65cm dishes that already
has one LNB rotated 90deg. This LNB in designed to receive from Optus B1 and C1 or Optus B1
and B3 using a LNB multi switch.


















All guide sheets are checked for errors, but remain as guide sheets only, not full instruction
manuals. For further information visit www.hooktech.co.nz