How to Hook Up a Dish Network Satellite

Dish Network is one of the leading satellite service providers. Home and business owners use it to view satellite television programming. Numerous things are required to hook up a satellite system. A professional satellite installer can accomplish this for a fee, or often it will be free for new customers or when you move. If you need to install Dish Network, you should know how to use the necessary tools and have basic understanding of satellite systems.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dish Network Receiver
• Dish Network Dish
• Pole or Mount
• Pole Digger (optional)
• Cement (optional)
• Grounding Wire
• Ground Block
• Grounding Pole
• Cable
• Barrel Connectors
• Connectors
• Connector Compressor Tool
• Wire Cutters
• Drill
• Caulk
• Compass
• Pole Level
• 7/16 Wrench
• Screwdriver
• Helper (optional)

1. Do a site survey. Use the compass, if needed to locate south. There must be a clear view from the dish to the satellites above in the Southern Hemisphere.

2. Find a place to securely place the satellite dish. It can be mounted on a building, wall, fence or on a pole. Look up to verify no obstructions will block the satellite signal.

3. Open the "Dish Network Support Documents" link under Resources. Select "Installation" and then the type of satellite dish you have. Read over the document.

4. Find your satellite dish skew and azimuth settings from the list provided. Put the satellite dish together as instructed. Connect cable(s) to the LNB.

5. Mount the dish level and ground it. Run cable starting at the satellite dish to the receiver. Hook up the Dish Network receiver to the television.

6. Turn on the television and the receiver. Click on "Menu" on the Dish Network remote. Go to "System Setup" and then "Installation."

7. Click on "Check Switch" then "Check" and "OK." Place a mark next to satellite 119 and put the transponder on 11. This will display the satellite signal.

8. Align the dish to increase the signal, if needed. Loosen the bolts and little by little move the dish from one side to the other. Find a good signal and then tighten the bolts.

9. Perform another "Check Switch." Exit the installation process through clicking "Cancel" until cleared of it. Contact Dish Network to begin receiving satellite programming.

Tips & Warnings

• There are three methods to use to know the satellite signal strength as you align the satellite dish. This includes having someone watch the meter and inform you of the number displayed, viewing the television screen from the site of the dish or listening to the sound given off. If you are not able to mount the satellite dish on a structure, use a pole. Dig the hole with the pole digger; add cement to secure it in place. Make sure you use a pole level also.
• Make the smallest possible hole in any walls for the cable. Use caulk to fill in the space around the cable. Dish Network satellite signals go up to 125. However, signal strength of 75 or higher will work. The higher the signal, the fewer problems you will have picking up a satellite signal during bad weather.

Resources

• Dish Network Support Documents
• Dish Network