Satellite TV Installation Information

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When you order satellite TV service, the new subscription includes an installation 
of a satellite dish along with the specified receiver. Your service provider will 
arrange for an authorized installer from your area to come and put in the 
equipment. This is the preferred method of installation, because an authorized 
installer is specially qualified to do the work according to FCC regulations, 
however, a customer may also exercise the option of installing the equipment 
themselves. DBS systems are designed in a way so that they can be installed by 
the consumer who has some basic mechanical abilities and a few simple tools. 
The systems normally come with a comprehensive manual. 

Before installing satellite TV, a site survey must be done at the desired location 
in order to make sure that the proper reception is possible. A dish installation can 
be mounted on just about anything, but it must have exposure to the southern 
sky with no obstructions such as walls, trees, or houses. Too much obstruction 
will interfere with reception. 

If you are installing yourself, you may need a few things. An installation kit may 
be necessary, which often includes coaxial cable, lag bolts, compass and angle 
finder, et cetera. You will also need a sturdy place to mount the dish such as a 
pole, wall, balcony, deck, roof, and also some mounting tools. 

Precise aiming of the dish during installation is very important, because any more 
than 3 degrees of inaccuracy in elevation angle or azimuth will result in no 
reception and as little as 1 to 2 degrees of inaccuracy will result in poor reception. 
The DBS dishes have built-in meter devices to assist in aiming the dish, and also 
an on-screen signal meter. 

Finally, the installed dish must be connected to the receiver. Sometimes this 
can be done using the existing cable lines in your home or business if they are 
the newer RG6 coaxial cable lines. If you have old cable lines, then a newer RG6 
coaxial cable will have to be run between the dish and receiver. 
Installation is complete!

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