| Item | Description |
Required for |
|---|
| Dish | Typically around 18" in diameter, this parabolic reflector acts as a directional antenna and is mounted
in an open area and pointed in the direction to intercept the strongest signal. It then bounces the signal into the LNB. |
Required for all satellite installs. A completely clear line of sight is required for optimal signal strength. |
| LNB | Low Noise Blocker. The LNB converts the spirally polarized signal in the air to 12 and 18V modulated RF signals
that can be run over coaxial cable. Single LNBs have only one F-type connector on them and will
only allow one single receiver to be connected at one time. The dual type has two F-type connectors. |
The single type is required to connect a single receiver. The dual type is required for connection to multipe receivers. Using a cable splitter with a
single LNB will not allow you to connect multiple receivers to one dish in lieu of a dual LNB and/or multiswitch.
|
| RG-6 Coaxial Cable | The RG-6 cable connects the dish to the receiver and any intermediate devices. RG-6 has greater
shielding than RG-59 | Required for all satellite installs. RG-59 is not suitable and will result in poor signal strengths.
Each splice/coupling in a cable line will result in at least a 3 dB signal loss
Maximum reccomended length for receiver to LNB (unamplified) is 100 feet. |
| Multiswitch | A multiswitch takes two inputs from a dual LNB and distributes the signal to 3 or more receivers
Powered multiswitches can also increase the maximum horizontal cable length (dish to receiver) to greater than 100'. |
Required to connect a dual LNB system to 3 or greater receivers |
| Inline amplifier | This device boosts signals on RG-6 to compensate for greater losses such as lengths exceeding 100' or lines with many couplings |
Required for any runs from dish to receiver exceeding 100 feet.
|
| Receiver | This devices converts the signal run over the RG-6 to a format that a TV, VCR, or other video
device can display. (i.e. NTSC) | Required for all satellite installs. Each receiver can tune in one channel at a time |
