I have a two directv boxes I need to run off of one cable from the satellite. Is there a way to split the signal to have both satellite boxes run independant of each other? Thank you for any help. Jim
Unless you have a "stacked" LNB, then the answer is no. Dish Network uses stacked LNB's but they're expensive as hell. Same for us the only thing we use them for is like an apartment complex. A regular splitter will not work. Here's why: Your reciever works off two different voltages. 18v and 13v. One controls the even numbered transponders, the other controls the odd numbered transponders. In a single reciever, single cable system this works fine because the reciever is only "calling" for one specific voltage at any given moment. In a two or more reciever setup, now you have two recievers "calling" for a specific voltage depending on the channel they are tuned to. With only one cable, it would work if both recievers are continously tuned to the same channel on both boxes, as only one voltage is ever being asked for. But once you change to another channel that may be using the opposing voltage, you can't "call" for both voltages simaltaneously over one cable. You could split it for a short time, but it would very rapidly burn the splitter out. In setups where you have 3 or more rooms connected, but only two lines coming in from the dish, there is a multiswitch installed at some point that is able to switch between the two voltages between each box as they are called, because it has an input for both 18v and 13v currents from the LNB but you still need a dual LNB with two cables to make it work correctly. A stacked LNB essentially uses the cable itself (has to be RG-6) as the multiswitch, and you would only need one line. They are rather expensive. Is why we get cussed at by Dish Network (yes I work for DirecTv as a field tech) when we go do a new install where someone is switching to us, and our techs who may not know any better inadvertantly take the old Dish Network LNB with them. Try looking on eBay. You may find one.
