Is LNB Cable Length Significant?

[brjump]

I'm just wondering if the cable length from the LNBs to the Diseq switch is significant? Does shortening the cables to the Diseq improve the strength/quality?

Also, when I hook up my Birdog Ultra USB, it gives me an excessive current warning and shuts off. Any ideas?

I'm a newbie to FTA so any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

[creativegenius]

Typically your co-ax runs should be less than 106 feet.

Creative Genius

[tb1971]

Welcome to abadss!

[snakebite]

hello and welcome to ABA.

[caverchris]

Originally Posted by brjump

Does shortening the cables to the Diseq improve the strength/quality?

Hello and welcome!

All coax (or cables as you said) has loss. The longer the coax the more the loss. Loss means that if you have 100% signal strength / quality at on one end of the coax you will have less signal strength / quality on the other end. The longer the coax the greater the loss.

In your question, as long as the length of the coax between the LNB and Switch (Diseq) doesn't have any extra coiled up, it shouldn't make much of a difference. Where the difference would really come in is the total length of the run between the LNB and the box. This relates to creativegenius' comment about having under a 106 feet coax run to your box. I have my switch mounted at the dish so I only have to run one coax into the house. You could have multiple runs of coax into the house and have your switch inside but that means more coax and more money for the coax.

If you're really interested in coax loss do a google search for "coax loss" and you should find some information. Also, make sure you are using RG-6 coax for your runs. That has the best signal to loss ratio for this application.

Hope that helps answer your question.

Caverchris

[mountaineer]

Good answer caver. Welcome to our site br.

[caverchris]

Thinking a little more on this I'll also add....

Don't "double" count your runs from the LNBs to the switch to figure your length. Your switch can be anywhere along the run. The box tells the switch to change between the coax it needs to get to the correct LNB. Placing your switch at the dish and running one coax or placing it at the box and running two (or more) will be the same. Only one run of coax is used at any one time.

[richiemiami]

I've done installs in a 6 story building where the satellite was on the roof and the wires ran down the hallways then down the pipe chase 5 stories and then down a hallway to the target office and dp worked fine. That was atleast 500 feet so you don't have anything to worry about.

I've also taken a whole roll of coax rg6 and and allow the receiver to run the lnb through 1000feet of it without issue.

don't worry about cable the only thing long cable runs will do is drop your voltage slightly

r

[brjump]

Thanks for all of the info! This site has been incredibly helpful so far!