How to Connect Up to 32 Satellites Using Cascaded Diseqc Switches (4x1 & 8x1)

This guide explains the most cost-effective method for connecting up to 32 satellite LNBs to a single receiver tuner. By cascading Diseqc switches—specifically one 8x1 switch and multiple 4x1 switches—you can significantly expand your system's capacity. For simpler setups with 8 or fewer satellites, a single 8x1 Diseqc switch (version 1.1) is sufficient.

### **Overview & Theory**

The core principle involves connecting groups of 4 LNBs to individual 4x1 switches. The output of each 4x1 switch is then fed into a single port on a master 8x1 switch. Since the 8x1 switch can select from 8 inputs, and each input can be a 4x1 switch selecting from 4 LNBs, the total capacity is 8 x 4 = 32 satellites.


**Equipment Needed:**

* Diseqc 8x1 Switch (Master)

* Diseqc 4x1 Switches (Up to 8)

* RG6 Coaxial Cables

* Satellite Receiver (STB)

* Satellite LNBs


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### **Connection Guide**


#### **Simple Method (For the First 4 Satellites)**

This demonstrates the initial connection pattern for one group of 4 satellites.

1. Connect your first LNB via RG6 cable to **Port 1** of a 4x1 Diseqc switch.

2. Run a cable from the **OUT** port of this 4x1 switch to **Port 1** on the 8x1 master switch.

3. Connect the **TUNER/OUT** port of the 8x1 master switch to your satellite receiver (STB).


*(Refer to Diagram and screenshot for visual guidance.)*

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#### **Detailed Method (Scaling to 32 Satellites)**

To expand the system fully, repeat the simple method for each group of 4 LNBs.

1. Connect LNBs 1-4 to the four input ports of your first 4x1 switch.

2. Connect LNBs 5-8 to a second 4x1 switch, and so on, until you have up to eight 4x1 switches.

3. Connect the **OUT** port of each 4x1 switch to a corresponding input port (1 through 8) on the master 8x1 switch.

4. Finally, connect the **TUNER/OUT** of the 8x1 switch to your STB.


*(Refer to Diagram 2 for the full connection layout.)*

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### **Receiver Configuration**

1. On your STB, navigate to: **Menu > Setup > Tuners & Scanning > Tuner Configuration**.

2. Configure the Diseqc settings:

* Set the **Diseqc Mode** to **1.1** for the 8x1 master switch.

* For satellites connected via the first 4x1 switch (e.g., Port 1 on the 8x1), select the corresponding 8x1 input port (e.g., **AA**). Then, use the **Diseqc 1.0** sub-setting to choose the specific LNB (1-4) on that 4x1 switch.

3. Repeat this configuration for all ports. The pattern is consistent: select the master 8x1 port (1.1), then the individual 4x1 port (1.0) for each satellite.


*(Refer to Configuration Screenshots for exact menu settings.)*

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**Summary:**

Once you successfully configure the first master switch port (e.g., Port **AA** for the first 4x1 switch), you can apply the same logic to the remaining ports (**AB**, **BA**, **BB**, etc.). This cascading design allows you to manage 32 unique satellite connections through a single receiver tuner efficiently and affordably.


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### **Summary (Condensed Version)**


The cheapest method to connect 32 satellites uses cascaded Diseqc switches. Connect 4 LNBs to each 4x1 switch, then link up to eight of these 4x1 switches to the inputs of a single 8x1 master switch. Connect the master switch's output to your receiver. In the STB's tuner settings, use Diseqc 1.1 to select the master switch port (1-8) and Diseqc 1.0 to select the specific LNB (1-4) on the connected 4x1 switch. For 8 or fewer satellites, only the 8x1 switch is needed.

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Replies 7

  • excellent article, just a detail...


    not all the 8x1 diseq switces do this job

    the 8x1 DiSEqC switch must support only uncomitted commands, and not combined uncomitted + commited commands (or support selection from dip switch).

    for example the one below (which is my personal, created by emp and renamed/sold by another company) can't work in combination with other switches


    0ce7bac2.jpg

    Like 5

  • @georgeflu


    That's very informative, Thank you.



    I didn't have to face such troubles & I've tried 2-4 different 8x1 diseqc switches, they worked fine.


    But I've noticed 1 thing that it can delay signals sometimes transmitting from 1.0 to 1.1 to STB.

    Like 2

  • Hello can any one help us make this happen in enigma2 ( has been tested on other receivers )


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    how to set on other receivers


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  • Is the theoretical maximum 32 or 64?

    What does the new Diseqc 3 add to the table?

  • 16 (1.1) x 4 (1.0) = 64 LNB

    Like 1 thumbs up 1
  • Quote from EnoSat

    16 (1.1) x 4 (1.0) = 64 LNB

    and if we add tone burst A/B do we get 128?

  • it may be possible to have 128 if you add a tone burst switch A/B as the screenshot says "command order DISEQC 1.0 DISEQC 1.1 toneburst"

    so (1x tone-burst 2ports- 2x DISEQC 1.1 16ports - 16x DISEQC 1.0 4 ports) or the other way around

    (DISEQC 1.0 4 ports - 4x DISEQC 1.1 16ports - 64x toneburst 2ports)


    also I think 4x sats multiswitches can be used in place of DISEQC 1.0, each STB will use a DISEQC 1.1 to connect to up to 16 4x sats multiswitch ports (64 Sats)

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