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Thread: I would like to build a manual Satellite Selector Switch

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    Default I would like to build a manual Satellite Selector Switch

    I'd like to build a manual satellite selector switch similar to an A/V selector. Does anyone have a schematic and parts list for such a project?

    Thanks
    OC

    P.S. Just humour me and disregard the fact that I can use DiSEqC switches etc.



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    Quote Originally Posted by Optima Collins View Post
    I'd like to build a manual satellite selector switch similar to an A/V selector. Does anyone have a schematic and parts list for such a project?

    Thanks
    OC

    P.S. Just humour me and disregard the fact that I can use DiSEqC switches etc.

    Seems simple enough.
    Any rotary wafer switch with the required no of wafers and positions plus a project box to house.
    PS: DSE have a far wider range than Jaycar here :-

    Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".

    Last edited by beer4life; 29-12-09 at 02:56 PM. Reason: Availability link.

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    Quote Originally Posted by beer4life View Post

    Seems simple enough.
    Any rotary wafer switch with the required no of wafers and positions plus a project box to house.

    Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".

    Fair enough, but wouldn't impedences etc need to be matched due to the introduction of the switch inline or signal could be distorted?

    OC

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    Quote Originally Posted by Optima Collins View Post
    Fair enough, but wouldn't impedences etc need to be matched due to the introduction of the switch inline or signal could be distorted?

    OC
    Those types of switches have been used since time immemorial for switching RF in tuners, audio and DC with out any regard to matching.

    Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".




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    Quote Originally Posted by beer4life View Post

    ...
    PS: DSE have a far wider range than Jaycar here :-

    Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".

    Thanks again, Beer! One thing I forgot to ask, which type of switch is better for this purpose: shorting or non-shorting, or is that not important?

    Cheers
    OC

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    I read that for Transmitting purposes (Amateur), the 'shorting' type switch was prefered to ensure no stray signal found its way to the unused antenna but for receiving ? what ever works.
    I have a vague memory of a 3 position switch that was solenoid operated but that sort of is today's DiSEqC switch isnt it??

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    Quote Originally Posted by Optima Collins View Post
    Thanks again, Beer! One thing I forgot to ask, which type of switch is better for this purpose: shorting or non-shorting, or is that not important?

    Cheers
    OC
    Would have to do some mental calisthenics for all the possibilities, but start simple with a common earth and single pole multi position.
    If you only need 3 position, you could use 3+ positions but make the last ones common shorted together. You can then expand it later.
    Some of the old radio gear is a complicated Rats' Nest of connections with multi positions and poles.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Optima Collins View Post
    Fair enough, but wouldn't impedences etc need to be matched due to the introduction of the switch inline or signal could be distorted?

    OC
    Quite correct.

    The design techniques necessary at LNB output (microwave) frequencies 950 MHz - 2.2 GHz are NOT the same as those at DC and audio frequencies, hence to contemplate the use of a rotary switch is NOT a desirable way to go.

    It will be quite impossible to maintain 75 Ohm impedance matching and leakage at those frequencies will be extreme to say the least.

    Having said that, yes, it will work, but losses will be extremely high and don't expect to achieve acceptable carrier to noise figures and marginal signal integrity, particularly on weak signals. Exclusion of local interfering signals and other noise will also be impossible to achieve.

    Do it properly and use a DiSEqC switch - they are NOT expensive.

    No offence intended, but the method suggested is what one would expect of an uninformed/ill-informed "back-yarder" and is absolutely laughable to anyone with R.F. engineering experience.

    This site will give you some idea of the various options for microwave switching

    Additional information is available at
    Last edited by tristen; 29-12-09 at 06:40 PM. Reason: Added link

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    Quote Originally Posted by tristen View Post
    Quite correct.

    The design techniques required at LNB output frequencies 950 MHz - 2.2 GHz are NOT the same as those at DC and audio frequencies, hence to contemplate the use of a rotary switch is NOT a desirable way to go.

    It will be quite impossible to maintain 75 Ohm impedance matching and leakage at those frequencies will be extreme to say the least.

    Having said that, yes, it will work, but losses will be extremely high and don't expect to achieve carrier to noise figures and marginal signal integrity.
    Exclusion of local interfering signals and other noise will also be impossible to achieve.

    Do it properly and use a DiSEqC switch - they are NOT expensive.

    The method suggested is what one would expect of an uninformed/ill-informed "back-yarder" and is absolutely laughable to anyone with R.F. engineering experience.
    I find those comments offensive as the replies were in the vein of the original post which you have totally ignored to flaunt your expertise.

    P.S. Just humour me and disregard the fact that I can use DiSEqC switches etc.
    Last edited by beer4life; 29-12-09 at 06:39 PM.

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    beer4life,

    Yes, I read Optima Collins' request, but I suspect his was a serious request, i.e. he wished to know if there was an acceptable DIY alternative to a DiSEqC switch.

    I am sorry if this offends you, but I personally do not find the method described to be an acceptable alternative and was honestly surprised that you had proposed such a solution.

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    Here is one switch box (sorry pic quality...rushed job) I used on 5 dishes.

    Member "snibs" made it for me.

    5 dish connect to the back, 1 x connection out to receiver, dial switch on front...worked faultlessly.




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    The inside...

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    Quote Originally Posted by tristen View Post
    beer4life,

    Yes, I read Optima Collins' request, but I suspect his was a serious request, i.e. he wished to know if there was an acceptable DIY alternative to a DiSEqC switch.

    I am sorry if this offends you, but I personally do not find the method described to be an acceptable alternative and was honestly surprised that you had proposed such a solution.


    Seems what I suggested has already been successfully done.
    If you've never tried it yourself, by what authority do you say it's not acceptable?
    DIY is implementation of concepts.


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    Gentleman, I do not wish to cause a clash of intellects! All your opinions are very welcome and yes, it was a serious request. Even if the solution is perhaps not ideal, it does allow isolation of each satellite, keeping connections conceptually simple (at least while installing and experimenting) and reducing potential 22k and DiSEqC switching anomalies. Whether it is a workable solution due to interference as tristen suggests may be another story. Viewer, any comments on that?

    OC
    Last edited by Optima Collins; 29-12-09 at 10:38 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Optima Collins View Post
    Gentleman, I do not wish to cause a clash of intellects! All your opinions are very welcome and yes, it was a serious request. Even if the solution is perhaps not ideal, it does allow isolation of each satellite, keeping connections conceptually simple (at least while installing and experimenting) and reducing potential 22k and DiSEqC switching anomalies. Whether it is a workable solution due to interference as tristen suggests may be another story. Viewer, any comments on that?

    OC

    dont bother.. what they say above is all true.. it will be a lossy piece of garbage

    If you want a manual way build yourself an RF patch bay and use BNC connectors

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    Hi,

    Look...unsure why all the agro seems to be rife in this thread, but it's not really achieving anything arguing with each other.

    The switcher that snibs built me was ideal.

    There was no loss in quality, there was no interference. I can see no difference between that old unit, and the diseqc I now use. I would go as far to say, that as far as I was concerned, there was no difference between a single line straight into the back of the receiver from one dish, to the combination of them all in the switcher.

    Technically for me,the switch was actually more useful, in that you can have more dishes attached, rather than the restriction of 4 only I have now on a standard diseqc ( yes I know you can add extra switches to a diseqc to increase capabilities), I guess it depends how many connections a switch will allow.

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