If you have Dish, AT&T, or cable, you don't need to call a professional to get satellite service for your home.You can set up a satellite dish even if you don't have a lot of construction experience.If you find an exact spot for your dish, mount it in place.If you point the dish up to the sky you will get a satellite signal.It is possible to transfer the signal to a receiver and TV with proper wiring.
Step 1: It's a good idea to pick a flat spot around your home.
If you need to clean off or adjust the satellite dish, find a level place that is accessible.The safest place to put a satellite dish is on the ground.Depending on where you live, it will have plenty of room to point north or south.It's a good idea to keep the dish away from falling snow or ice.You should remember where the TVs are in your home.To make the wiring process easier, try to find a spot close to them.You will need to dig a trench if you mount the dish on the ground.
Step 2: There are obstructions that can block the dish's view of the sky.
Stand where you want to put the dish.To see the sky, look up.Find another spot if you see buildings, trees or clotheslines in the way.The dish can't receive a clear signal because of these obstacles.One of the best ways to set up a dish is to anchor a metal pole in the ground with concrete, then mount the dish on top of it.The dish doesn't need to be on the roof with the rod.Satellite dish installers almost always go for the roof to make sure the satellite isn't blocked.If you can't find an exact spot elsewhere, you may need to do this.If you're in the north, the dish needs to point south.When looking for obstacles, keep in mind that if you're in the southern hemisphere, it needs to point north.
Step 3: You need to mark the screw positions on the dish's mount.
The base plate is fastened to your home by an L-shaped rod.You can position the base plate against the wall or roof.The plate has holes for bolts.Use a permanent marker to see where the holes are on the roof.Attach the satellite to the side of the house by aligning the holes with a wall stud or other sturdy structure.It won't hold if you anchor it to the siding.
Step 4: The size of the pilot holes is related to the mount.
Refer to the components that came with the satellite for the exact size and depth of the holes.You will need to make a series of 4 holes.This will vary a little from installation to installation, but you should estimate the holes that are needed.It's a good idea to check the metal parts that came with your satellite.The number tells you how wide the holes need to be.If you want to find the depth of the holes on your particular installation, add about 10 in (0.51 cm) to the metal fixings meant to plug into them.
Step 5: To create the pilot holes, use the same drill bit as the mounting bolts.
Don't damage your drill if you use a masonry drill bit.The perfect holes for the bolts need to be created by the bit.Once you are ready, drill into the spots you marked earlier.Make sure the holes you create are straight.The bolts will fall out if the holes are too big.The bolts won't fit if they are too small.It's better to be on the side of caution when drilling.A small hole can be widened.
Step 6: You should put the metal plugs into the holes you drilled.
A set of metal plugs will come with your dish.Each plug has a bolt hole in it.The openings should face toward you rather than the wall.The mount needs those openings to be secured.A split tail is what the opposite ends of each plug will look like.The plugs are harder to remove when the wall mount is in place.
Step 7: Use a chisel and hammer to secure the plugs.
The chisel's tip should be against one of the bolts.The chisel's handle can be used to push the bolt into the wall.The bolt needs to be flush with the wall.Then, use the remaining bolts.The dish's mount won't anchor properly if the bolts are not level with the wall.
Step 8: Put the metal plugs into the wall.
Plugs that serve as wall anchors will come with your dish.They should be positioned so they face out from the wall.The bolting of the wall mount is done there.Plugs should be pushed into the holes with a hammer and chisel.Make sure theplugins are in the wall.They anchor the wall or ceiling.Your dish could crash to the ground if they are loose.
Step 9: Plug the mount onto the plugs.
Line up the plate's holes with the pilot holes you drilled by positioning the mount back on the wall.Find the lag bolts that came with your dish.Attach the bolts with a screwdriver.Make sure the mount is secure in the wall.Try to tighten the bolts a little more if the mount wobbles.If you are sure they are in, take them out and check the plugs.
Step 10: Attach the bolts with a metal washer and locking nut.
The bolts can't come back out of the wall.The washers are flat metal disks that help the nuts work.Then, add the nuts and turn them clockwise with a wrench.Don't overtighten the nuts.When they become hard to move, stop twisting them.The mount will stay in place if they are not loose.
Step 11: Attach the antenna to the LNB arm.
The L-shaped LNB arm and other components will most likely come with a flat metal plate that connects the satellite dish to it.The prongs are facing you, so position the plate so that they are on the left and right.The tail end of the LNB arm extends past the plate's opposite side.Place lag bolts through the arm and into the plate and tighten them with a wrench.To make sure the bolts don't come loose, put a metal washer and locking nut on the ends.Depending on the dish you have, the installation process may be different.Refer to the owner's manual for more specific instructions.
Step 12: The antenna adjustment panel must be clipped over the plate's prongs.
The panel will look like a square box.The sides of the panel fit over the plate's prongs and attach with lag bolts.Attach a washer and nut to the end of each bolt.There is an adjustment panel with a curved slot.The slot is used to point the satellite up or down.
Step 13: The adjustment panel has a U-shaped rod inside it.
One of the slots on the adjustment panel has a bent metal rod in it.The rod can be slid through the holes.The LNB rod you connected earlier has a tail end.Next, put a washer and nut on it.The U-shaped rod is held in place by a flat piece of metal.There are 3 different slots on the adjustment panel.The slots can be used to move the satellite dish.The middle slot is the best place to put the dish.
Step 14: Attach the antenna to the back of the satellite dish.
This is one of the easiest parts to finish because you have a couple more bolts to add.Line up the holes on the plate and back of the dish.You can stick the longest bolts through the front of the dish.Put a washer and nut on the end of each bolt and tighten it with a wrench.Make sure the components are bolted together.If they feel shaky, separate them and tighten the bolts.
Step 15: The LNB should be put on the end of the arm.
The LNB controls the dish's function.The LNB's handle should be slid onto the open end of the arm.Take the LNB out of the box after securing it with nuts and bolts.It looks like a flashlight.Before bolting it in place, position it on the handle and face it toward the dish.Up to 3 LNBs are used to feed a stronger satellite signal into your home.To improve the signal quality, you may need to loosen the LNB later.
Step 16: You need to connect the adjustment panel to the wall mount.
The support has an open end.The adjustment panel will fit if everything is attached correctly.The pieces can be fastened with the remaining bolts.If the dish looks good, you can place it to communicate with a satellite.Refer to the owner's manual for more information on how to attach these parts to your satellite.Your satellite will come with a pair of clips if the mount is meant to attach to the back of the panel.Attach the parts together by putting them behind the support.
Step 17: Select a satellite you want to connect to.
Pick a satellite that is close to your dish.dishes can't get signals from all of the satellitesYou might have a hard time connecting to your competitor's satellites if you bought your dish from a TV service.There is a search at https://www.lyngsat.com.The names listed with the coordinates help to differentiate between satellites.Tracking sites list the names of the companies or services they provide.Satellite signals can be received outside of a satellite service.It's easier to get a new satellite if you need to replace several parts.Pick a satellite that is close to you.You will need to use the company's satellites if you subscribe to a particular TV service.There are multiple satellites for the biggest providers.
Step 18: Before positioning the dish, you must find the satellite's location.
To angle the dish up at the sky, you need to point it in the correct direction.This is difficult if you don't know the satellite's location.Satellites don't move very much, so you can use a positioning database to adjust your dish.You can use a site like https://www.dishpointer.com.Pick a satellite you want to connect to and type in your address.The site will show you the exact location of your dish.You can't receive a signal from a distant satellite.Don't expect to reach a Chinese satellite if you're in North America.
Step 19: You can use the azimuth number.
If you have a compass, locate true north first.Look at the azimuth number and find the location of the compass.The east is 90 degrees, the south is 180 degrees and the west is 270 degrees.The satellite dish should be moved horizontally until it points in the right direction.If you need to point the dish to a certain degree, you should find north first.Turn the satellite southwest from there.
Step 20: The dish can be moved to adjust its elevation.
Go behind the dish when you know the height you need to reach the satellite.The mount connects to the dish at the end.There is a bolt inside a slot that is usually 10 to 60 degrees.Reposition the dish to the correct elevation by twisting the bolt counterclockwise.The labeled slot makes adjusting the elevation easy.The bolt can be moved along the slot to raise or lower the dish.If the dish requires a 53 degree elevation, it will point up into the sky almost as much as it can.The loosened bolt should be moved back toward the marker.
Step 21: Once you get a clear signal, adjust the dish's polarization.
LNB is responsible for receiving and sending the signal into your home.An arm on the front points towards the dish.To test the signal quality, hook the dish up to the receiver and TV, then loosen the connecting nut on the arm with a wrench.Slowly move the arm until the signal quality is perfect.It's easier if you have a TV close to the dish.If the TV is far away, have someone else give you feedback.Once you're done with the wiring, you may need to wait to adjust the LNB.You don't have to climb on the roof to make adjustments if you take care of it before then.The mount can be turned on the back of the dish to control the LNB.
Step 22: If you have a hole in the roof, drill a 2 in hole.
It's a good idea to check your home first for a cable opening.The cable needs a small space in your home to hook up to your TV.If your home is in the process of being built, drilling a single hole is the easiest way to do this.Prepare for the connection by positioning your TV and satellite receiver close to each other.If you bury the cable on the ground, it won't get damaged.It needs to be below the frost line, which is about 3 in (8.6 cm) deep.
Step 23: You can run a cable from the LNB to the receiver.
Look for a slot on the LNB if you get a basic cable.Plug the opposite end into the satellite port on your receiver.Make sure the receiver is close to the satellite so the cable can reach it.You can buy a cable online.When you buy a satellite, TV service providers will give you one as well.Sometimes the cable goes to the back of the satellite.It plugs directly into the LNB.
Step 24: The receiver and TV need to be connected.
Plug one end of the cable into the receiver's back and stretch it to the TV.There are a couple of HDMI slots on most modern TVs.Your TV will receive the satellite signal once the cord is in place.If it works, turn on the TV.Some satellites don't connect this way.The TV may be plugged directly into the receiver.Instructions on how to connect the satellite, receiver, and TV can be found in a wiring guide.If you bought a satellite, they would give you a wiring guide.
Step 25: To test the signal, turn on the television.
If you need to navigate to the settings menu, press the satellite button.You should be able to take a picture.Make sure the satellite dish is positioned correctly if the signal is bad.Get the clearest possible signal by adjusting it.If you want to know the location of the satellite dish, you can check the settings menu.