[Slavek_D]

Hi,
I am planning to buy and install a satellite dish to be able to watch Freesat programs. I also have another sat tuner which should receive a signal from Hot Bird. I know I can use a Quad to provide a signal to my two tuners but is it possible to set the dish to be able to receive a signal for Freesat (Astra 2A/2B/2D & Eurobird 1 as far as I know) and for my other tuner (Hot Bird) at the same time?

Thank you in advance.

Slavek

[snelly]

Yes,

A number of people on here (including me) do this.

Options are either a motorised dish

OR

A dish with multiple LNBs. LNBs can be mounted off centre from the main focal point of the dish and pick up a number of satellites. Because of this the dish will need to be larger. 80cm is sufficient in south of england for this.

Check this link

Inverto MultiConnect 2, 3, and 4 LNB system from the Satellite Superstore UK. 3 satellite bracket.

Personally I have a setup based on a triax dish and arm but the principle is much the same. one benefit if this arm is that an LNB can be at dead centre.

[son_t]

Or

Multiple dishes with DiSEqC switch(es).

DiSEqC setup for the HDR here (work in progress): foxsat-hdr - DiSEqC

(There's a new loader for the HDR which contains DiSEqC wizard fixes which in turn might change the instructions.)

[Slavek_D]

Thank you Snelly but £84.95 is a bit expensive because I need 4 outputs (2 for Freesat recorder and 2 for another satellite recorder). Is any other option I could use (i.e. "binacular" holder with twin LNBs)?

[Slavek_D]

Originally Posted by son_t

Or

Multiple dishes with DiSEqC switch(es).

DiSEqC setup for the HDR here (work in progress): foxsat-hdr - DiSEqC

(There's a new loader for the HDR which contains DiSEqC wizard fixes which in turn might change the instructions.)

I am not an expert but I think that a DiSEqC switch is for people who want to use 2 satellites and one tuner (i.e. Freesat).
I want to use one satellite (Astra I think) for 2 Freesat inputs and another satellite (Hot Bird) for my second tuner's 2 inputs.

What is the best option?

[son_t]

Then you just need to get two twin output LNBs and a suitable arm for fixing them on one dish (and pointing at the approriate satellites)... Each two feeds from the LNBs feed into your respective receivers...

See this picture (of my home-made setup): http://foxsat.wikispaces.com/file/vi.../multi-lnb.jpg

[Slavek_D]

Thank you very much. Your installation is very complex.
I have only a couple more questions:
1. What is the best LNB holder (it should be more stable than a wire because my installation will be on the roof)?
2. How should I set up my dish if I have 2 LNBs? Should I set up first and then the second signal? Can I then set up each LNB once the dish is set up and stable? I had some problems with setting one LNB so I cannot even imagine setting up 2 LNBs at the same time

[son_t]

I got the LNB arm/holder from eBay, and it looks/works better than in my photo

The problem is that some of the LNBs I had did not fit the holders (and hence held on by wire! But it works for me and I can access my dish easily as I live in a bungalow - I would see it not working for anyone whose dish is high up and inaccessible...

If you look at the photo - the two LNBs on the ends are the ones pointing to 28E and 13E (which is what you want). If you want to have this (multi-LNBs on one dish) set up and want to do it yourself - then you might need an expensive satellite meter to find the right satellites...

To be honest, the cheapest and easiest solution will be to have two DISHES - each pointing to the two satellites!

But to answer you:

Originally Posted by Slavek_D

1. What is the best LNB holder (it should be more stable than a wire because my installation will be on the roof)?

The cheapest one you can get that works! Since your two satellites are far apart (LNB position-wise) then you don't need to get the slim LNBs and arm/holder... This one on eBay looks good: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Quality-Multi-...item4836e9d16d

2. How should I set up my dish if I have 2 LNBs? Should I set up first and then the second signal? Can I then set up each LNB once the dish is set up and stable? I had some problems with setting one LNB so I cannot even imagine setting up 2 LNBs at the same time

The general rule is to point the first LNB and dish to the satellite with the weakest signal, then find the other satellite by adjusting the other LNB's position on the arm.

(I have not done this on my dish - as there are 3 LNBs... Also I wanted a stable and strong signal from 28E, so the dish is slightly off-set on 19E with 13E being the weakest signal from my dish...)

[snelly]

Technically you are correct about the two dishes of course
I was under the impression that this required planning permission however...

In terms of a 'binocular' LNB these are made for satellites which are a few degrees apart only you need 15 degrees of separation.

The basic principle of setting up the multi lnb is to position the LNBs according to some calculations (dependent on location dish size etc) there are online tools to do this.

Then you tune in to the weaker satellite as usual.

Next tighten the dish up - it will not move again.

Finally adjust the remaining LNB to get a signal on the second sat.

It is not *that* much more complex than finding a saingle satellite twice as long as you do it all step by step.

People on this forum are very helpful as I found out when I set mine up.

I could not find Hotbird for days - it turned out a tree was in the way!!!

I also fitted my dish above a flat garage roof in the end so accessibility is not an issue -very helpful when doing the positioning as I could see a tv screen through a window.

[Slavek_D]

Thank you for your help guys. Only one question left.
What is the minimum size of the dish (I live in West London) to be able to 'see' both Astra and Hot Bird?