Connecting Freesat box to old satellite dish

purplestar133

We've just moved into a house with a satellite dish. There's no aerial so we're trying to get TV via Freesat. There are two cables coming from the satellite dish which end up cut off in the cellar without any end pieces. I'm sure I can pick up the end pieces for the wire cheaply but it looks as if I need to get an extension connected to those wires to plug into the Freesat box, but there are two wires and only one port on the freesat box. It's not the type of box that records, which I know needs two wires so do I need to choose just one of the wires or do I need an adapter that plugs two in and brings out one?

What's also confusing me is that there is another cable which the previous users have been using to get cable. It looks the same as the satellite cable but it plugs into a box with a wire that goes out onto the street. I've tried disconnecting it from the box and connecting it to each of the two satellite wires in turn, and connecting that to the Freesat box and using it as an extension, but no joy. Is that because it's a cable wire and not a satellite wire?:( I also tried using the splitter that was attached to that cable box but I suppose that wouldn't work either if I was trying to connect two satellite wires to a cable wire.:o

I think what I'm asking is, how do I get two cables from a satellite dish to plug in to one port on a Freesat box? And I need the adapters/plugs/end pieces for the end of those two cables.

Thanks for your patience!

agrinnall

Wow, that must be a massive house if it has it's own satellite . Sorry, couldn't resist.

I'm pretty sure you'll only need one cable into your box, I have two Freesat boxes, the one that records uses two cables but the other one just has a single cable. What I don't know is whether it matters which terminal on the LNB it connects to, but I'm sure somebody will be able to tell you. Although it might be simpler (if less MSE) to just pay somebody who know what they're doing to connect you up.

purplestar133

Oops. Satellite DISH. I was getting a bit overexcited there, I think! Have edited original post.

enfield_freddy

not an expert on sats , but read http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=98738&hl=satellite this might help you

purplestar133

enfield_freddy wrote: »

not an expert on sats , but read http://forums.pepipoo.com/index.php?showtopic=98738&hl=satellite this might help you

That is useful - thanks. I guess I just need to know what type of 'connectors' to buy to put on the ends of the cut off wires, and probably what they're called! Will they be F type? Which I presume means female?

Nodding_Donkey

You can use either of them (The wires that is)

And yes, you need an F connector to connect to the box. And probably two more and one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/metal-f-socket-to-f-socket-coupler-fe92a to extend the cable

enfield_freddy

I believe they are "f" type"


much as I hate them , maplins http://www.maplin.co.uk/search?text=f+type+connector&x=0&y=0


or trade http://cpc.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?catalogId=15002&langId=69&storeId=10180&categoryId=700000007507&st=f%20type&pageSize=25&showResults=true&pf=110380013

Moto2

How far do you need to extend one of the cables?

ebay item 400925292688 + a screw on connector like ebay item 271897171544 would give you 10m - other length fly leads are available
This approach would save you having to make up all the ends yourself.

Be careful when fitting the screw on connector to the existing feed that non of the cable shielding is touching the centre core when finished.

purplestar133

Moto2 wrote: »

How far do you need to extend one of the cables?

ebay item 400925292688 + a screw on connector like ebay item 271897171544 would give you 10m - other length fly leads are available
This approach would save you having to make up all the ends yourself.

Be careful when fitting the screw on connector to the existing feed that non of the cable shielding is touching the centre core when finished.

Thanks for that info. We need under 5m, I think. Last night, I ordered this cable: http://www.amazon.co.uk/WHITE-Coaxial-Satellite-Extension-Cable/dp/B00FC5S4FQ and these connectors: http://www.amazon.co.uk/HDIUK-extending-satellite-connectors-F-couplers/dp/B001KA98XE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434527946&sr=8-1&keywords=satellite+splice will these do the job?

kwikbreaks

You'll be able to extend both cables with those so if you later get a recording box you'll be good to go.

You should be able to use either cable on you settop box.

F connectors must be just about the easiest ones possible to fit - just watch out for stray strands of braid as mentioned above.

purplestar133

kwikbreaks wrote: »

You'll be able to extend both cables with those so if you later get a recording box you'll be good to go.

You should be able to use either cable on you settop box.

F connectors must be just about the easiest ones possible to fit - just watch out for stray strands of braid as mentioned above.

Thanks. Yes, I thought we may as well extend both.


In the cable, there is a central stick of metal (sorry, don't know the name!) and then there are lots of thin metal fibres just under the plastic coating on the cable. Are you saying the thin metal fibres shouldn't touch the central stick? What are they for?