# Can you split a line from a DSS satellite dish to accommodate two separate receivers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 22, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-split-a-line-from-a-dss-satellite-dish-to-accommodate-two-separate-receivers/197039 "2003-08-22T23:01:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![InLikeFlynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f19dbf/32.png) [@InLikeFlynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InLikeFlynn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-split-a-line-from-a-dss-satellite-dish-to-accommodate-two-separate-receivers/197039/1 "2003-08-22T23:01:33Z")
I already have a dish connected to a receiver. I want to know if it is possible to purchase and connect another receiver to this dish in order to have access on a separate TV. I can accomplish this…, right? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-split-a-line-from-a-dss-satellite-dish-to-accommodate-two-separate-receivers/197039/2 "2003-08-22T23:08:48Z")
First pull the LNB off the dish and see if there is another F connector on it. If so, you have a dual-LNB and you can simply run the second cable to it. If not, you have basically two options: you can either purchase a replacement dual-LNB (preferred) or you can attemt to split the downlead. If you do the latter, you NEED a splitter rated higher than 2100 MHz or it won’t work well, if at all. You may also need line amplifiers to make up for the 3 dB loss incurred by splitting. Check the signal strength meter from your receivers. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-split-a-line-from-a-dss-satellite-dish-to-accommodate-two-separate-receivers/197039/3 "2003-08-22T23:49:38Z")
Check with your satellite provider. Dish Network uses switches, rather than splitters. At least they call them switches - I suspect doing things like feedhorn polarization can’t be done with a cable TV-type splitter. Your provider may provide all the switches/splitters and whatnot needed to install the second receiver if you just ask. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-split-a-line-from-a-dss-satellite-dish-to-accommodate-two-separate-receivers/197039/4 "2003-08-22T23:53:18Z")
I should add that any splitters MUST have a DC passthrough, since the LNB needs either 14 or 18 V from the receiver in order to work properly. Only get splitters/switches that are certified as comaptiblke for your equipment. For instance, DirecTV’s 4-way multiswitch will not work on Dish Network equipment. ---
**Author:** ![CBCD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@CBCD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBCD)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-split-a-line-from-a-dss-satellite-dish-to-accommodate-two-separate-receivers/197039/5 "2003-08-23T13:01:33Z")
InLikeFlynn - The answer to your question is yes, at least if you are using DirecTV. We have a single DirecTV dish on the roof, and it feeds into four separate TVs in our house. Each TV has a separate receiver box sitting on top of it. We pay DirecTV for four hookups. Media hogs we are, in my house, yes. ---
**Author:** ![InLikeFlynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f19dbf/32.png) [@InLikeFlynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InLikeFlynn)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-split-a-line-from-a-dss-satellite-dish-to-accommodate-two-separate-receivers/197039/6 "2003-08-24T06:50:28Z")
CBCD- Paying DirecTV for another hook-up is the last thing I plan on doing. I am trying to avoid that. Someone stop me if i’m wrong, but won’t another receiver hooked up to the cable leading from the dish (with a dual-LNB) via a splitter give me the same channel access as the receiver that has paid and subscribed to DirecTV?? and if I purchace a NFL Season ticket CARD,won’t I have all those football games in my house on Sunday’s?? Right or wrong?? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-split-a-line-from-a-dss-satellite-dish-to-accommodate-two-separate-receivers/197039/7 "2003-08-24T12:34:44Z")
No. You will not receive anything on a second DirecTV receiver unless you call them to activate it. Unless they have the receiver’s CAM ID number, the unit is just an $80 paperweight.