How to confirm 4-poart DiSEqC switch has dead port(s)?

[blueman]

I have a PROSAT P-8800 reciever that I am trying to conncet to two dishes (100 mm) through a recently bought new 4-port DiSEqC switch to watch some free stations on T5 ad G3C satellites. One dish has a regular LNB and the other has a universal LNB. I did turn the receiver power switch off and unplug it before connecting the DiSEqC to it. Both dishes/LNBs were confirmed working (function and satellite aiming) with my reciever when each was connceted to the receiver directly. However, I was only able to pull in stations from the port 1 dish when both dishes connected through the DiSEqC in any 2 port combinations. I finally tried to connect only one dish through the DiSEqC and move it around to try out all four ports. Execpt port 1, I could not see any station on all other three ports (receiver says: there is no service on this satellite). It is the same for both regular and universal LBNs/dishes. Therefore, I think port 2 to 4 are dead right out of the box.

Can anyone tell me how can I test each port by using some kind of easily available equipment/tester to confirm my thinking? I am not a electric engineer at all, and I am new to the free satellite program fun. Therefore, I might need some detailed instruction on how to do the test. Thanks much in advance!

[rainman]

did you set your receiver up to switch the ports?

[blueman]

Hi, Rainman:

I am not sure what does switching the port mena. Although it might be machine specific, is there a general procedure that I can follow?

This was what I did. Use the general LNB to port 2 connection as an example (port 2 was the only port had dish/LNB connection in this case), I went into receiver's "setup" menu to set LNB 1 frequency to 10.75 GHz for both low and high (my machine allow for 8 LNB settings), then went into "satellite selection" menu select LNB 1 as the LNB source with "auto" for 22 KHz mode, and "both" (verticle and horizontal) polarization, then select the correct satellite to scan the transponders that was set through "add new transponder" menu.

This exact procedure was tested for all 4 ports, and it worked only when the LNB was connected to port 1. Am I suppose to do something else too?

Thanks for your help!

[elgemcdlf]

For the standard lnbf which is the 10750 I would have set 22Mhz to OFF. You should have an area in the reeiver setup that allows you to tell the receiver what port on the DiSEqC switch you are using for this lnbf. This will either allow choices from A-D or 1-4. A=1. 2=B and so on.

[rainman]

as Steve said leave the 22Hz off then set it for 1 on disqec switch for port 1. or 2,3,4 which ever port lnb is hooked to.

[blueman]

Since 22KHz in auto mode does work for port 1 (LNB 1), I can't think of why the same setting not work for all other ports. However, I just tried with 22KHz off and the situation is still the same - LNB 1 (port 1) works but none of LNB 2 (port 2),.., LNB 4 (port 4) work, even though there was only one LNB connected to one of the port on DiSEqC at all time.

I think I have correct port (LNB) settings. My receiver PROSAT P-8800 has three places affect LNB settings.
1. Setup menu - to set Hi/Low freq. for each LNBs.
2. Add New Transponder menu - to select which LNB is to be used for each transponder frequency.
3. Satellite Selection menu - to select which LNB is connceted for a selected satellite dish.

Any other suggestions? After trying every possibly set up combinations, I am more and more leaning toward bad DiSEqC switch. It will be great if someone can instruct me how to use a simple machine (e.g. a voltmeter?,...) to test each port on the DiSEqC switch directly to verify whether they are bad. Thanks mcuh for all the help!

[wejones]

Originally Posted by blueman

Since 22KHz in auto mode does work for port 1 (LNB 1), I can't think of why the same setting not work for all other ports. However, I just tried with 22KHz off and the situation is still the same - LNB 1 (port 1) works but none of LNB 2 (port 2),.., LNB 4 (port 4) work, even though there was only one LNB connected to one of the port on DiSEqC at all time.

I think I have correct port (LNB) settings. My receiver PROSAT P-8800 has three places affect LNB settings.
1. Setup menu - to set Hi/Low freq. for each LNBs.
2. Add New Transponder menu - to select which LNB is to be used for each transponder frequency.
3. Satellite Selection menu - to select which LNB is connceted for a selected satellite dish.

Any other suggestions? After trying every possibly set up combinations, I am more and more leaning toward bad DiSEqC switch. It will be great if someone can instruct me how to use a simple machine (e.g. a voltmeter?,...) to test each port on the DiSEqC switch directly to verify whether they are bad. Thanks mcuh for all the help!

I don't think the 22khz matters. However I'm not convinced that you have set your diseqc ports at all. I'm not familiar with your receiver, but the firmware for a couple of my receivers allow you to define different LNBs, like you say above, ie LNB1, LNB2, etc, however that may have nothing to do with setting your DISEQC switch port. On your receiver, it may well be that it DOES refer to the DISEQC port, but unless it actually says DISEQC, then I doubt it. That switch probably defaults to port 1 if it isn't told to switch to some other port. Is it possible that there is another setting that you're missing, that tells the receiver to send DISEQC commands. I'm guessing that the LNB1, LNB2, etc are just different choices to allow you to quickly change between different LNB settings, but that there is a separate menu item to select the DISEQC setting.

[blueman]

Here is my receiver's menu structure:
Main Menu:
1. Viewer Preference - assign channel #, lock/unlock channel, etc.
2. Remote Help - explain remote key functions
3. Setup -
3.1. Modulator Channel # - 3 or 4 (base on TV's blank channel #)
3.2. TV Format - 4/3 or 16/9
3.3. Modulator Output - NTSC or PAL
3.4. LNB Freq. - set Hi/Low freq. of each LNB (#1 to 8)
3.5. LNB Power - select on or off (I always leave it on - default)
3.6. Dish Positioning Help submenu - like a satellite finder.
4. Satellite Selection - has two pannels in this submenu
4.1. upper pannel - to select one LNB for the satellite selected in the lower pannel
4.1.1. LNB Source - select 1 of 8 LNBs defined in "Setup" menu
4.1.2. 0/12V Mode - select 0 or 12 V (I always leave it on 0v)
4.1.3. 22KHz Mode - select auto, on, off, or DiSEqC
(Note: After seeing wejenos' comment, I tried "DiSEqC" besides to auto, on, and off. But none of them worked when I connect LNB to port 2, 3, or 4.)
4.1.4. Polarization - select Horizontal, Vertical, or Both
4.2. lower pannel - for selecting a satellite use with the above LNB
5. Satellite Deletion - delete satellites from the list
6. Add New Transponder - to add/edit/delete transponders
6.1. Add/Edit Menu
6.1.1. LNB Source - select a LNB for this transponder
6.1.2. Satellite - select a satellite for this transponder
6.1.3. Transponder Freq - for typing in freq.
6.1.4. Symbol Rate - for typing in symbol rate
6.1.5. Polarization - select V, H, Left, or Right
6.1.6. 0/12V Mode - select 0 or 12V (I always leave it on 0v)
6.1.7. 22KHz Mode - select auto, on, off, or DiSEqC
7. Add New Services - mannually add PIDs for new channels
8. Language Setting - set menu language

My user mannual does mention using the DiSEqC control option to connect up to 8 LNBs. It also mentions to go into Edit Transponder Menu, select 22KHz mode to switch 22KHz and DiSEqC commend. After seeing wejeons' comment, I set all of my transponders' 22KHz Mode to "DiSEqC" in Edit Transponder menu, then went into Satellite Selection menu to try each of 8 LNBs with auto, on, off, or DiSEqC in 22Hz Mode selection in this menu. Of course, the LNB numbers are matched in Transponde menu and Satellite menu for each trial. Again, all combinations worked for port 1 connection, but none of them worked for all other port connections.

Sorry for such a long message, I want to make sure those of you helping me know exactly what my options and what I have tried.

Any more thoughts? Thanks much for your patience!

[rainman]

by looking at your menu where it states select lnb source this is where you want to enter yor disqec port.

[blueman]

Sorry, may be I didn't explain it well. I did select the port (LNB) # in both 4.1.1 and 6.1.1 (please see my previous message that showed my receiver menu structrue), but it didn't work - the reciever will say "there is no service on this satellite" after it did the scan.

[rainman]

what type of receiver do you have maybe some one with the same receiver can give you more help on your question. also it is not unheard of getting a bad disqec switch.


edit: i see you stated you have a prosat 8800 sorry then catch that.

[elgemcdlf]

I think you are confusing DiSEqC with 22 Mhz. They are not the same. If you have a menu setup similiar to a BEC receiver (sounds like it is) there is an area where you define the lnbf and in that area you designate which DiSEqC port will be used for that lnbf. It surprises me that DiSEqC is listed under the 22 mhz menu meaning perhaps you can not use the two together. You require the 22 mhz commands for your UNI lnbf and if using multiple lnbf's as stated you require a DiSEqC.

Sounds like your menu will not allow you to choose both. So what this means is first you need to decide on what lnbf you desire to keep from your collection. If you are going to keep the UNI as operational set 22 Mhz to auto adn you are done. If you are going to use the standard lnbf set 22 Mhz to OFF and you are done. Other option is to buy a different receiver.

When choosing DiSEqC it should have given you an area to choose port. So if you wanted to run 4 standard lnbf's you could just not both a UNI and a standard with that receiver. That is providing I read your post correctly.

EDIT: You could potentially run both lnbf's once you managed to get DiSEqC set up properly with only one polarity on the UNI.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by blueman

My user mannual does mention using the DiSEqC control option to connect up to 8 LNBs. It also mentions to go into Edit Transponder Menu, select 22KHz mode to switch 22KHz and DiSEqC commend. After seeing wejeons' comment, I set all of my transponders' 22KHz Mode to "DiSEqC" in Edit Transponder menu, then went into Satellite Selection menu to try each of 8 LNBs with auto, on, off, or DiSEqC in 22Hz Mode selection in this menu. Of course, the LNB numbers are matched in Transponde menu and Satellite menu for each trial. Again, all combinations worked for port 1 connection, but none of them worked for all other port connections.
...

If I understand that in both 4.1.3 and 6.1.7, you select DiseqC, then it seems like this should have worked. ???

Actually, it never occurred to me whether you had a motorized system or fixed dishes, but looking back, I see you mention moving the dish. Can you describe where you have the switch positioned? Ie I use my DISEQC switches very close to the receivers, where there is less likelihood of the diseqc signals being corrupted before it gets to the switch. However I don't use the Diseqc switch on my DISEQC1.2 motorized system, and many people here have posted that if you are using a motor, that you should put the switch between the motor and the lnbf. Anyway, I'm starting to wonder if your problems have to do with where you have the switch in your system.

All that being said, I haven't had much luck myself with those 4 port switches, so yours might indeed be DOA. My switch came with port 3 dead, but it worked fine on 1,2 and 4. Then port 4 died, then later 1 and 2 died. Then after putting the thing in my junk pile for a year or two, I tried it again, and all 4 ports worked. But then after using it for several days, it only worked on one polarity on port 2. Then after I switched my port 2 device to port 4, where it worked OK, then port 1 partially died, ie it was switching to port 1, however I had about a 3 fold reduction in signal strength for the lnb going to port 1. Anyway, these darn switches seem to have a mind of their own. I originally thought that it was unlikely that your switch came DOA for all switching out of the box, but maybe that's the case. Howevever, before giving up on it, I'd recommend shortening your coaxes by taking your receiver closer to the dish, and bypass your motor, just having the coax going directly from the lnbfs to the switch, and then a short coax to the receiver. If it doesn't work then, perhaps it is bad.

[elgemcdlf]

Another note on DiSEq switches. It seems as though if you have the switch in place and try to use a squeeler sat locator it will blow the port. If the switch is between the motor and receiver that will blow ports also. Sometimes right away sometimes a slow death

[blueman]

Both of my dishes are not moterized. I have the DiSEqC connected between dish/LNB and receiver with short (3') coax cables. So, I don't think the signal decade is a issue. Plus, port 1 always works.

My receiver is PROSAT P-8800. Except for the first couple of trials, I have been experimenting with only ONE dish/LNB connected to the DiSEqC's port 1, 2, 3, and 4. No matter how I setup the receiver, the single LNB (either universal or regular) connection always work when it is connected to port 1, but never work when it is connected to any other port. Therefore, I think the only way to resolve this is to find someone having the same receiver to give me some suggestions. I am going to post another question to look for help for PROSAT P-8800 receiver setup as rainman suggested. Hope I can find someone has this receiver, even better yet someone live in Minneapolis/St. Paul area that I can talk to.

Thank you all for your generous help!

[rainman]

I think Iceberg lives in the Minnesota area maybe you can sent him a PM. for help.