How to Install Direct TV

Installing your Direct TV system is really easy, the only part that is not so easy, especially if you are not fond of heights, is mounting the dish. Some new customers get a free install, but if you install yourself, you can save some money in the long run, and everyone can use a little extra income right now.

Things You'll Need

• The Direct TV service
• kit included
• 18" Dish
• 7 1/16" Wrench
• Bubble level
• 1/2" wrench
• 3/8" wrench
• Lag Bolts
• caulking (silicone)
• An Aiming Chart
• Extension Drill bit

Instructions

1. 

   First thing you want to make sure your house is a suitable area with no large obstructions in the Satellites path. Next, select a plan that you and your family will enjoy. The satellite for the signal is always located south of Texas. If you live in Florida, you will need a clear line of sight to the Southwest; if you live in California, you want the clear sight line toward the Southeast. So which direction you choose is important.

2. 

   Everything needed will mostly be in your Self-install start up kit. Including a compass that will help direct the location for your dish. Generally the elevation angle of the dish should be 30-60 degrees. Southern states, 60 degrees, and northern states would be 30 degrees. Elevation is the up and down direction of the dish, the Azimuth is the side to side direction that the dish is pointed to.

3. 

   Once you have the correct location you want to mount your dish using the hardware that also comes in the kit. If anyway possible, and you could put your dish on a high sturdy post, that would be ideal, opposed to drilling holes in your roof. If necessary, the roof may be the best place to put your dish. Follow instructions to actually mount your dish. Pay close attention to grounding specs. Colds water pipe, along with other accepted grounds for each dish.

4. 

   Next, you want to lay out the long coaxial cable they gave you to install. Decide if it would be better to go through your basement, or attic. For now, just run the cable from the dish to your DVR receiver to make sure you have plenty of cable. Afterwards, this is where you want to neatly fish your cable to where it needs to go. You need to drill with a very long extension bit so your cable runs in the straightest line to your satellite receiver. You can use a cable snake to get through holes you have made. Cable Snakes are a bit pricey, I have twisted coat hangers together to make a fishtape line to attach and run the cable with.

5. 

   So now you have everything where you need it, make sure you leave a little more cable needed to hook up your system in case you want to rearrange furniture. Just go along and staple or strap your cable out of the way. Hook your coaxial cable from the dish to the input on your dvr box, and then to your tv. You can connect a sound system, or whatever you want. Every line and port these days are color coded, so it is hard to go wrong when making you final connections. There are some great diagrams I am including in the links below.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to keep your compass away from any metal objects, this can distort your readings.

• Make sure everythings is level, corresponding to your specifications, in the directions.

• Grounding the satellite system to the central building ground helps protect it.

• Contact with power lines, lights or power circuits may be fatal.

• To avoid interference and danger, Dish should be located at least 20 ft. from electric lines.

Resources

• Direct tv site/pdf instructions
• Satellite Self Install/cars
• dtv main site