Mechanical satellite switch

[7mdish]

I'm looking for a mechanical, possibly professional grade, non-electronic, non-diseqc switch for my satellite setup.
Such old-style antenna switch similar to those used in the radio amateur stations.
Unfortunately that type of switch can't be used for satellite TV because they completely short all unused lines, and this is a big problem. Instead, connector type is not an issue. F connector would be the best, but N connector would be good too (N to F adapters would easily fit), I don't like BNC connectors instead.
Any suggestion please? Thanks.

 

[Lazarus]

How many Ports do you need?

 

[Channel Hopper]

Cable switches here, heavy throw F-connector and non remote (if you wish remote I can provide a long stick). Never had one fail in almost thirty years. Tested on a 75/50 Ohm SWR at baseband to 1400MHz and results are almost identical.

Why would you need one in this day and age ?

 

[Terryl]

I use some RF relays rated to 5 GHz, and switched with 12 volts DC.

 

[7mdish]

Thank you for your useful replies.
I need a 2-ports switch to connect two antennas to one receiver yet, but knowint about a possible 4-ports one would be nice.
Yes such relay could be a good solution and I successfully used it in the past, but now I would like to avoid any external 12 volt power supply.
The reason I'm looking for this type of switches is that all commands from the receiver (13/18 volt, 22KHz, diseqc....) are used to control the dishes. The times when many satellite receivers had a 12 volt out was gone. So in my setup would be very convenient having a simple but strong and reliable manual switch.

 

[7mdish]

Cable switches here, heavy throw F-connector and non remote (if you wish remote I can provide a long stick). Never had one fail in almost thirty years. Tested on a 75/50 Ohm SWR at baseband to 1400MHz and results are almost identical.

Why would you need one in this day and age ?

Which switches do you refer?
Are they reliable until 2150MHz?

 

[Channel Hopper]

I use some RF relays rated to 5 GHz, and switched with 12 volts DC.

What would be their current /wattage rating ?

 

[Channel Hopper]

Which switches do you refer?
Are they reliable until 2150MHz?

Reliable ?

Of course.

But I would have to check the loss at IF frequency beyond the current 2050 Ku band limits (are you experimenting with the Turkish stuff perchance ?)

 

[Terryl]

What would be their current /wattage rating ?

If you mean how much to activate it, then it's 12 volts DC at 100 mA, and they are rated to 100 watts with a VSWR of 1.5 to 1, it's hard to find the ones with "F" connectors, so I get the ones with "BNC" connectors and use adapters.

They are a bit expensive tho, so you may have to shop around, I got a bunch about ten years or so ago.

 

[7mdish]

(are you experimenting with the Turkish stuff perchance ?)

Sorry for my poor english, what do you mean as "Turkish stuff perchance?"
When I said reliable, I intended if they have no or limited RF loss at 2150MHz, because I must use them in the IF satellite TV frequency portion.
If you think they are ok, could you please advice me the exact product and where to purchase? Thanks.

 

[Channel Hopper]

If you mean how much to activate it, then it's 12 volts DC at 100 mA, and they are rated to 100 watts with a VSWR of 1.5 to 1, it's hard to find the ones with "F" connectors, so I get the ones with "BNC" connectors and use adapters.

They are a bit expensive tho, so you may have to shop around, I got a bunch about ten years or so ago.

It was the throughput, not the relay switchover.

Those here are all F connector and so rated at 75 Ohms, but being mechanical are near identical at 50 Ohms

 

[Channel Hopper]

Sorry for my poor english, what do you mean as "Turkish stuff perchance?"
When I said reliable, I intended if they have no or limited RF loss at 2150MHz, because I must use them in the IF satellite TV frequency portion.
If you think they are ok, could you please advice me the exact product and where to purchase? Thanks.

As above, which frequency are you looking at that is - much - beyond 2050MHz on the two IF bands, unless you are experimenting with a universal ? ?

 

[7mdish]

As above, which frequency are you looking at that is - much - beyond 2050MHz on the two IF bands, unless you are experimenting with a universal ? ?

I need them only for the IF satellite TV band, so between 950 and 2150MHz, not else.

 

[a33]

The reason I'm looking for this type of switches is that all commands from the receiver (13/18 volt, 22KHz, diseqc....) are used to control the dishes.

You've really used up more than 2*16 = 32 diseqc possibilities, so that you cannot use the spare diseqc switching bit for an extra 32 LNBs?
I'd like to see a (schematic) description of your setup, so that we can think about possible solutions for you.
A possibility for fixed dishes would be, to use an extra switch on diseqc x.2 (motor) commands.


Such a mechanical switch by the way is usually called: manual A/B switch F-connector. Google gives some hits (at Amaz*n).

Greetz,
A33

 

[Channel Hopper]

You've really used up more than 2*16 = 32 diseqc possibilities, so that you cannot use the spare diseqc switching bit for an extra 32 LNBs?
I'd like to see a (schematic) description of your setup, so that we can think about possible solutions for you.
A possibility for fixed dishes would be, to use an extra switch on diseqc x.2 (motor) commands.


Such a mechanical switch by the way is usually called: manual A/B switch F-connector. Google gives some hits (at Amaz*n).

Greetz,
A33

Which I have covered previously in a 'dismantle thread' on the forum. Plenty in stock and have been selling well for dual C-band and C/Ku switches for a number of years. I've not heard of any issues with frequency issues even though they are not rated much beyond 1000MHz

I'm still unsure about the

When I said reliable, I intended if they have no or limited RF loss at 2150MHz...

since there will of course be a loss at higher frequencies (part and parcel of the equiations) and there are no acceptable figures in the post beyond 'limited'.

 

[7mdish]

You've really used up more than 2*16 = 32 diseqc possibilities, so that you cannot use the spare diseqc switching bit for an extra 32 LNBs?
I'd like to see a (schematic) description of your setup, so that we can think about possible solutions for you.
A possibility for fixed dishes would be, to use an extra switch on diseqc x.2 (motor) commands.


Such a mechanical switch by the way is usually called: manual A/B switch F-connector. Google gives some hits (at Amaz*n).

Greetz,
A33

Yes you are right. But it is not so simple to configure such solution for many receivers. Also, every professional receivers like Ericsson have no diseqc.
I try your google suggestion. Thanks.

 

[7mdish]

Unfortunately google search sorted nothing. Bad luck.
Waiting for your advices. Thanks.

 

[John]

Cable switches here, heavy throw F-connector and non remote (if you wish remote I can provide a long stick). Never had one fail in almost thirty years. Tested on a 75/50 Ohm SWR at baseband to 1400MHz and results are almost identical.

Why would you need one in this day and age ?

Being an Old School type of guy I'm using these simple A-B mechanical switches here at the moment on two of my motorised systems and have no operational losses worth talking about . At the moment I'm using them as Antenna in switched to different receivers or spectrum analyser on the two F ports

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[ozumo]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Switch-SAT-Systems-Connector-Connectors/dp/B0014HD5J6/

The seller is Amazon EU so shouldn't be too much hassle getting it to Italy.

 

[Captain Jack]

Being an Old School type of guy I'm using these simple A-B mechanical switches here at the moment on two of my motorised systems and have no operational losses worth talking about . At the moment I'm using them as Antenna in switched to different receivers or spectrum analyser on the two F ports

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I'd love to one day see your entire shack of equipment!