I meant that each channel isn't just at say 474 MHz. The start frequency would be at 470 MHz and end at 478 MHz making the "haystack" when viewed on a o-scope. so inside of 4 MHz of the center frequency would be more accurate for intruding on another signal.


The IRD sends the request to the SWM for transponder XXX. The SWM then modulates the transponder on SWM channel 1 just like cable. Then SWM sends the info to IRD to tune to SWM channel 1.

This is how they got around the 13/18 volt dilemma. In the past, you could have two, say 2 D12s, on 1 multiswitch port and both would work as long as the channel they were looking for was on the same transponder voltage as the other D12. If both were on a 13 volt transponder and one chose a channel on an 18 volt transponder, the other D12 would lose satellite signal because the line would be forced to 18 volts.

Now, the SWM assigns a transponder to a channel modulated similarly to a cable system when requested by the IRD. The first 8 requests lock the channels up. Any subsequent requests will return a no sat signal if the request is not one of the original 8. If, however, the IRD requested a transponder that was in use, the SWM directs the IRD to tune to the appropriate channel for said transponder.

Dish Network does the same thing with their 222k receiver with a Qam card. Televes has a headend unit that modulates as many of the transponders as you like or want to spend onto QAM channels and the 222k decodes the modulated signal for an upgrade path for better channel packages in the MDU market.

Just to add, I posted that as an FYI not a "this will work at your bar" scenario". There are so many pitfalls to jump over and problems to work out by trying to implement a silly minded ploy like this, I can't fathom the issues. Just sell them a quad-E4 and a few SWMs if you run into tuner number issues.

Actually, the digital OTA band is limited to channels 7-51. This is 174-698 MHz. There are a few analog LPTV stations that were allowed to remain on their old channel assignments but the FCC recently ruled that they must terminate broadcasts next year, 2015.

Also, the new DirecTV SWM-13 packs an additional 5 channels in the same bandwidth by reducing the guard bands between channels .

Pretty much a money grab in my opinion. Oh, you can't use these frequencies any more. Oooh. Yah you. Cell companies. How much? I don't really mind that they are taking away spectrum as cable companies can run multiple channels on one QAM channel these days. 4 480i channels on one Qam channel. Stack 2 720p on another. If you don't give a crap about picture quality stack as many up as it will let you. It's just the 100's of millions they want to resell the spectrum for. /endrant

thanks for the answers. im gonna give it a shot with the splitters

i received an email last night from skywalker with these: [Link: skywalker.com] i have never used them so not sure if they will support OTA.

I harp on asking the right question here. This is an example of the information that will get you the best response without a bunch of us mucking about for five days trying to figure out what you really have:


See how clear that is?


Oh, yes. This is one of those things that are obvious when you know it but people rarely point it out. Good that you did.


Had a house once where two multiswitches were used, and the previous installer had reversed the connections of, say, 13 and 18 on one of them. This was a truly head-banging problem, but once figured out was ridiculously easy to predict and see when I ran into it again.


That last sentence is where I didn't follow you before. You say the SWM assigns a transponder. Okay; the choice of transponder is with the SWM. But then you say "If, however, the IRD requested a transponder," which places the choice of transponder with the IRD. Could you clear that up?

That should read "If, however, the IRD requested a channel on a transponder that is available on the swm, the swm directs the IRD to tune to channel x."

Would you explain how that seems to sound like it could happen that more than 8 IRDs could operate on a SWM system, while it seems to be true that the limit is eight?

Is your "If" something that cannot happen, so it's like saying "If I could fly..." with a perfectly logical conclusion? Does this now call for a careful description of what "available" means as you use it?

I'm not busting your balls. I just don't see it. And I can see where some people would like to use more than 8 IRDs on a SWM, even with the obvious channel limitations that would occur.