How to Install a Satellite System
- 1). Find a direct line of view to place your satellite dish. Check over your property for a place to locate the dish. It must face south and nothing can block the signal from the satellite. The angle for the line of site (to the satellite) is about 30 degrees in the northern part of America; the south is 60 degrees.
- 2). Assemble the dish according to the precise settings needed for your location. A DirecTV dish will need to have the elevation set--you can start with 50 degrees--and a Dish Network one will need elevation, along with skew on Dish 500 and above. See tips for more details.
- 3). Mount the satellite dish on a wall, roof or pole. Make sure the dish is completely level and fastened firmly. Connect cable from the dish to the satellite receiver and then connect this to your TV. Do not completely tighten the bolts holding the dish in place on its pole.
- 4). Power up the TV and satellite receiver. Access the menu, locate either “Installation” or “Setup,” and then find the satellite signal meter. Its location will vary between Dish Network and DirecTV. The idea is to get a signal as high as you can. You will experience fewer troubles with your satellite signal with a higher amount of signal strength. It should be at least 75 and could go as high as 100 (DirecTV) or 125 (Dish Network).
- 5). Aim your satellite dish. Have someone watch the signal meter, listen for the tone it gives off or have a line of sight to the television set. If you do not have a signal showing on the meter already, very gradually begin to move the dish from side to side until you find one. If the other settings (elevation and skew) are correctly set, you should easily be able to come across a satellite signal. Once a signal has been located, exit the installation menu.
- 6). Contact DirecTV or Dish Network to finish the installation of your satellite and begin obtaining broadcasts. You will have to select a programming package and provide personal information.
