multiswitch problem when more than 2 rec connected

[lazarus18]

So here's my slightly odd setup. I have a 3LNB oval dish. When I had the install done I only asked for three rooms. I later got non-RID TiVos from eBay and happily hacked them. But I only had inputs for one of the two tuners on each.

So I got a multiswitch. It's a 3x4. The thing is I should probably be using a 4 input switch, but the installer only has 3 cables running down from the dish. What I've done is left one alone (the one that goes to the HD receiver) and plugged the other two into the multiswitch. All was well when I had two outputs from the switch tot each of the TiVos. Today I got the RG-6 I needed to run a third cable to one of the TiVos and plugged it in.

All of a sudden I've lost the local channels. I understand that this is because I can only get one of the satellites (the 110?) without having 4 inputs. I'm a bit confused as to why I only notice this problem when there are more than two outputs. Does the switch act as a simple passthrough until there are more than two receivers connected?

Since I only have access to three cables from the satellite is there anything I can do short of climbing up to the roof and dropping the 4th line from it? That's not really an option given my lack of a long enough ladder.

Thanks,
-Rob

[Wolffpack]

You should have 4 cables running from the dish. Since it sounds like you have 2 (maybe 3) Tivos you will then need a 4x8 splitter if you want to use the dual tuners on your Tivos.

The triple LNB dishes already have a multiswitch in them resulting in the 4 cables. Your 4x8 splitter will have to be a cascadable multiswitch in order to work properly.

[lazarus18]

This is what I thought, but there are only 3 cables running down from the dish. So I guess I would have to climb up there (or pay someone to do so) and run a 4th cable to use a multiswitch effectively?

-Rob

[Wolffpack]

Correct. If you had it professionally installed, the installer should have done this for you. It's like buying a car and telling the dealer your married with no kids so they leave the back seat out of the car. The triple LNB dish has 4 feeds for a reason and the installer should have run 4 lines.

Try giving them a call and telling them to come back out and finish the install.

[PlainBill]

You will need a fourth cable from your present dish, and you must have a 4x8 multiswitch to get locals on all receivers. Rent a longer ladder, or pay someone to run the cable.

PlainBill