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Merge and split terrestrial and satellite signals - much effort?

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  • 30-12-2020 10:19am
    #1
    dulpit
    Registered Users Posts: 10,311 ✭✭✭✭


    Hey all,

    I have a Zgemma H7S and I connect to a satellite dish and an internal aerial. We don't have a rooftop aerial, but my neighbours (also my in laws) do, which is not in use and is next to our satellite dish.

    We currently rent and don't want the hassle of doing any sort of big work, so I was wondering is it possible to use the existing cabling and something to merge the aerial and satellite signal and then split at the TV? Is this feasible?

    What I was thinking was to run a small length of cable from aerial to the satellite dish, then merge signal on one of the sat cables, leaving the other as is, then split them at the TV end. This would mean I'd just need to get a few bits of cable, something to connect and split signal and access to the roof. Is this possible or am I being very optimistic?


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    #2
    The Cush
    Registered Users Posts: 15,495 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    https://www.freetv.ie/outdoor-tv-aerial-and-satellite-combiner/


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    #3
    dulpit
    Registered Users Posts: 10,311 ✭✭✭✭dulpit


    The Cush wrote: »
    https://www.freetv.ie/outdoor-tv-aerial-and-satellite-combiner/

    So to be clear, does this mean:
    1. Connect short bit of aerial cable from aerial to this device
    2. Connect short bit of satellite cable from one of the connections on lnb to this device
    3. Connect existing satellite cable that was previously connected to lnb to the output of this device
    4. At the TV end, get a splitter and run short cabling to the satellite and TV.

    I think the actual cable is the same for Terrestrial and satellite, it's just the connectors, right? Is this the same for this device?


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    #4
    Johnboy1951
    Registered Users Posts: 13,991 ✭✭✭✭Johnboy1951


    Have you watched the video?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxwgPFG7Je4&feature=emb_logo


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    #5
    dermo2014
    Registered Users Posts: 76 ✭✭dermo2014


    Another option might be to replace the dish LNB with a SAT and TERRESTIAL LNB.

    https://powercity.ie/product/QUAD40

    Just connect the aerial cable to the LNB and replace the wall plates in your rooms.


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    #6
    greasepalm
    Registered Users Posts: 5,258 ✭✭✭greasepalm


    On one box i have a 3" aerial plugged in and works as close to transmitter.


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    #7
    dulpit
    Registered Users Posts: 10,311 ✭✭✭✭dulpit


    The Cush wrote: »
    https://www.freetv.ie/outdoor-tv-aerial-and-satellite-combiner/

    Got this and the indoor one for the other end. I was lazy and got cables too. All in was €21ish, took me about 5 minutes to connect. Happy days.


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    #8
    MenloPete
    Registered Users Posts: 316 ✭✭MenloPete


    If I could just piggyback here...
    I just installed diplexers yesterday, but the sat signal did not come through. I have the old style brown TV coax in the wall - could this be a problem? (I haven't yet had time to check that I didn't introduce a short circuit on the sat input)


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    #9
    greasepalm
    Registered Users Posts: 5,258 ✭✭✭greasepalm


    That is old cable,what 30 - 40 yr old.


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    #10
    The Cush
    Registered Users Posts: 15,495 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    MenloPete wrote: »
    I have the old style brown TV coax in the wall - could this be a problem?

    Most likely, old brown co-ax cable isn't suitable for the high frequency feed from the dish.

    http://www.megalithia.com/elect/cable/index.html

    https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/cable-connectors-and-leads/the-three-main-types-of-coax-cable


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    #11
    Elvis Hammond
    Registered Users Posts: 491 ✭✭Elvis Hammond


    MenloPete wrote: »
    ... I just installed diplexers yesterday, but the sat signal did not come through. I have the old style brown TV coax in the wall - could this be a problem? (I haven't yet had time to check that I didn't introduce a short circuit on the sat input)

    Yeah, lack of power to the LNB would be the first thing to suspect, so rule that out before condemning the cable.


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    #12
    MenloPete
    Registered Users Posts: 316 ✭✭MenloPete


    Elvis Hammond wrote: »
    Yeah, lack of power to the LNB would be the first thing to suspect, so rule that out before condemning the cable.

    Finally got around to checking the cabling. The braid had managed to escape from the connector at the back of the dipexer plate, so no power to LNB as you said. Interesting that the terrestrial signal came through with just the centre wire connected...


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    #13
    NewClareman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,439 ✭✭✭NewClareman


    MenloPete wrote: »
    Finally got around to checking the cabling. The braid had managed to escape from the connector at the back of the dipexer plate, so no power to LNB as you said. Interesting that the terrestrial signal came through with just the centre wire connected...

    Are you getting all the satellite stations, or just some?


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    #14
    MenloPete
    Registered Users Posts: 316 ✭✭MenloPete


    NewClareman wrote: »
    Are you getting all the satellite stations, or just some?

    Getting all, now that I've reconnected the braid properly. I just found it interesting that the terrestrial came through without the braid connection.


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    #15
    Tony
    Registered Users Posts: 11,325 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    Terrestrial is much lower in frequency so less signal loss on a bad connection. The LNB also needs voltage so if braid was disconnected there's no power going to LNB.

    MenloPete wrote: »
    Getting all, now that I've reconnected the braid properly. I just found it interesting that the terrestrial came through without the braid connection.

    Desktop PC Boards discount code on https://www.satellite.ie/ is boards.ie



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    #16
    micks_address
    Registered Users Posts: 8,469 ✭✭✭micks_address


    im using diplexers and get a little bit of breakup on saorview from time to time. I don't think its signal issue as there's strong signal on the receiver. No issues with satellite feed.


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    #17
    greasepalm
    Registered Users Posts: 5,258 ✭✭✭greasepalm


    Might that be Rte 1 as i got breakup on that channel only when i used an indoor aerial.


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    #18
    micks_address
    Registered Users Posts: 8,469 ✭✭✭micks_address


    greasepalm wrote: »
    Might that be Rte 1 as i got breakup on that channel only when i used an indoor aerial.

    Yes it’s only rte1. It’s a rooftop aerial we use though that was fitted by installer maybe ten heads ago


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    #19
    greasepalm
    Registered Users Posts: 5,258 ✭✭✭greasepalm


    Might you have recanned box to see if has changed slightly.

    I remember posts about a different Mux on Saorview.


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    #20
    micks_address
    Registered Users Posts: 8,469 ✭✭✭micks_address


    greasepalm wrote: »
    Might you have recanned box to see if has changed slightly.

    I remember posts about a different Mux on Saorview.

    Yeah I’ve rescanned and tried different muxs. Doesn’t happen a lot. To be fair only really watch the news on rte1


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    #21
    NewClareman
    Registered Users Posts: 1,439 ✭✭✭NewClareman


    MenloPete wrote: »
    Getting all, now that I've reconnected the braid properly. I just found it interesting that the terrestrial came through without the braid connection.

    There will still be some capacitive coupling which can be sufficient with a strong signal. It didn't work with satellite, as the LNB required power.

    It's good to know that you're getting all the satellite signals with that quality of cable. I'm a strong believer in pragmatic solutions to technology problems, and this approach could see many people out of a hole. (Having said that, this type of cable has many disadvantages, including greater loss at the higher frequencies, than satellite grade cable, and should only be used when attempting to avoid running a new cable. :))


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