How to Install a Satellite Dish

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:InstallSatelliteDish
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How to Install a Satellite Dish

Introduction

As a satellite dish installation technician for the past 2 years, here is how you can install your own dish system.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need

  • Complete Satellite System
  • RG6 Coax Cable
  • Satellite Signal Meter(optional)
  • Compass
  • 6" Magnetic Level OR Post Level
  • 7/16" wrench
  • Drill
  • 1/2" nut driver bit (for drill)
  • 2" lag bolts (6)
  • Zip Ties OR Black Tape
  • Staples OR Screw Clips

Steps

1

Step One

Find a place to mount your dish with a clear line of sight to the South-West, or whatever direction you need to face in your area of the world. If you're not sure, look at your neighbor's dish.
2

Step Two

Bolt the mast down solid. Make sure to use a level and keep the mast plumb in all directions. This is the most important detail of the entire job.
3

Step Three

Tighten all the bolts on the mast making sure it is plumb.
4

Step Four

Place the dish antenna on the mast but don't tighten the bolts just yet.
5

Step Five

Run your coax cable through the dish & out the end where the LNBF (the eye) is.
6

Step Six

Connect the cable to the LNBF & assemble the LNBF to the dish with the supplied screws. Make sure the screws are snug but don't over tighten as they might strip out.
7

Step Seven

Check your receiver's owner's manual for the correct skew & elevation settings for the dish for your area & adjust accordingly. OR look at the neighbor's settings & adjust to match.
8

Step Eight

Connect the other end of your coax cable to your meter. If you don't have a meter, you can buy one on line or some electronics stores will have them. (best buy, circut city, radio shack) If you don't have & don't want to buy a meter, you can use your TV to see your signal strength. (see owner's manual)
9

Step Nine

Turn on your meter & sweep (turn) your dish left & right in the general direction as your neighbor's dish points. When you locate a satellite, your meter will tell you (either with a needle, lights or sounds). OR you can look at your TV in the "signal strength" screen.
10

Step Ten

Once you have determined the strongest reading by sweeping left & right, tighten all of the bolts on the dish. (leave your meter on while you tighten the bolts & keep the signal "peaked" while tightening the bolts.)
11

Step Eleven

Your horizontal adjustment should be great but you may still need to adjust the vertical. Now loosen the elevation screws just enough so the dish reflector rotates freely up & down.
12

Step Twelve

Slowly move the reflector up & down until you have discovered the highest signal reading on your meter (or TV) & then tighten these bolts. Again, leave the meter on & watch (or listen) as you tighten the bolts to make sure you keep the signal as high as you can.
13

Step Thirteen

Now you can run the coax from the dish to wherever your receiver is. I like to use zip ties and screw clips to attach the cable to the dish mast the siding.
14

Step Fourteen

Use a 3/8" drill bit to drill through the wall to get the coax cable into the house.
15

Step Fifteen

Connect the cable to the receiver. Usually the port will say "in from Satellite".
16

Step Sixteen

Connect the receiver to your TV (if you haven't done so already) & plug it in.
17

Step Seventeen

Follow the instruction in your owner's manual, from here on, to run the necessary tests and finish the installation.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • It's a good idea to install a ground block somewhere in the line to prevent static electricity from damaging your receiver.
  • Use silicone or caulk around the cable where it goes into the wall to keep bugs & water out.
  • Don't puncture the cable with staples. It will reduce signal strength and over time moisture will damage the cable beyond repair.
  • Be careful not to stay up too late watching TV & miss work the next day.
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