[kdonnel]

I got a second HR10-250 from my neighbor today for $100. He is switching to Dish and just wanted to get rid of it.

I currently have a 5x8 multiswitch. I only have one port free.

I guess my options are to split the incoming satellite feeds and run two multiswitches and get 16 outputs

or

Use four outputs from my current switch to feed a second switch and end up with 12 outputs.

Do I have to buy a special splitter or can I just use any 1-2 splitter?

 

[dswallow]

I got a second HR10-250 from my neighbor today for $100. He is switching to Dish and just wanted to get rid of it.

I currently have a 5x8 multiswitch. I only have one port free.

I guess my options are to split the incoming satellite feeds and run two multiswitches and get 16 outputs

or

Use four outputs from my current switch to feed a second switch and end up with 12 outputs.

Do I have to buy a special splitter or can I just use any 1-2 splitter?

The splitter needs to be a "high frequency" one, rated up to 2GHz, not the usual 950MHz a television/cable splitter most likely is rated for. It should pass DC power only on one side or you should use separate DC blocks to block DC power from one side.

I'd just cascade two multiswitches for now. That gives you 12 outputs and you only need 9. That still a lot of room for growth.