Splitting a feed for SKY + purposes

Brewster

Is it possible to split an existing single feed into two different feeds for sky plus purposes? Im 90% sure you can't but can anyone confirm? My current feed from dish to box isnt straightforward which makes running a 2nd feed very awkward indeed.

meep

Sounds like you might needs a stacker/destacker. Never used them but came across them looking for someting else on the interweb;

"A stacker modulates one of the sat LNB outputs so that you can piggyback both feeds onto a single RG-6 cable. A destacker (?) is required at the other end to split the signals apart. It works very much like a diplexer buyt at higher frequencies. They can also be very expensive."

Here's one that I found. Not a recommendation or anything, just the first thing that popped up from google to give you an idea of what I'm on about.

http://www.satelliteonline.co.uk/stacker_destacker_unit.htm

Apparently this kind of device can piggyback one LNB signal on another. The main caveat is that your existing cable needs to me top notch.

YMMV. Terms & conditions apply. etc. etc.

I have an akward set up as well and asked a similar uestion some time back. I was advised to run the extra cable if at all possible.

Peter

Brewster

Thanks Peter, this is interesting ok. Its exactly the type of thing I am looking for ok to solve my problem. Has anyone else experience of this type of device? When you say existing cable has to be good, I would have excellent signal strength and quality on my existing cable according on on screen indicators?? Is this an indicator of a good signal?

meep

by good, I mean of high quality. there are rating systems but i don't know enough about them. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will chip in.

Peter

Brewster

I have three joints in cable from dish to box, basically it was a preinstalled NTL cable but it has worked absolutely perfectly. The Sky Installer said it would give me trouble, but It never game me an ounce of trouble. I have 90% on both strength and quality. I want to get HD now and am wondering would this stacker destacker thing work. Hard to know eh?

steveon

I have used a few Stacker/Destackers and they work perfectly well but are well overpriced in my opinion...but when theres no other way....

Brewster

To be honest, Id pay the price to keep the missus off my back!! My concern is that I have three screw type joins in my cable and I am concerned it wouldnt work for this reason. What make did you use Steve?

Zaphod

The chances of a stacker working correctly on NTL-grade cable with joints are slim to zero.

Brewster

Chances that good Zaphod!?! The fact that I have had never had any trouble so far you couldnt see it working? Thanks for that, I dont want to buy it if it has virtually no chance of being successful

Zaphod

The stacker works by 'stacking' the second feed onto the existing feed (950-2150MHz) at a higher freq of 2150-3550MHz. Shi**y cable with joints craps outs at higher frequencies.
http://www.wrightsaerials.tv/coaxcablequalityhmdim.htm
http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/stacker.htm

watty

better bite the bullet and feed more cables

Brewster

Thanks Guys... I think if I want to use the sky plus features of a HD box ill have to run a second cable.. Now wheres my drill.......

steveon

I used the ones made by Johannson. They come with the f-connectors you require but if possible I would recommend running a second cable.