How to Reposition a DirecTV Dish
Have you been experiencing poor DIRECTV reception lately? You may need to reposition your satellite dish. Dishes can shift, lose alignment or become blocked by new buildings or trees and have reception problems. While the process can take some time, it usually only takes some trial and error to troubleshoot the problem, determine how to reposition the satellite dish and adjust your dish to ensure you have the best picture. Follow these steps to reposition your satellite dish.
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Instructions
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Use the remote to navigate to the Setup Menu and the System Test. Run a system test to determine if there is a problem with the signal, tuner or cable box.
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The On-Screen Signal Meter will help you reposition your satellite dish. You will need to adjust the dish and check the signal meter to get the best possible signal. You should consult the DIRECTV owner's manual for your particular system.
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Look at the dish. If new tree or plant growth, new buildings or something else is blocking your signal, you will probably have to find a new, clear location. Satellite signals will not pass through anything. Sometimes leaves, snow or other debris are covering the satellite dish, in which case you can simply clear them away. Also ensure that the dish is level and mounted tight and flush. Look to make certain all cables and wires are connected properly.
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If the dish is in a clear location and looks clean and the system test is fine, it's time to use DIRECTV's Dish Pointer. Use the remote to navigate to the Setup Menu. Find the Dish Pointer menu. This menu will give you the azimuth (left-to-right) and elevation (up-and-down) coordinates to help you position your dish. Write these numbers down.
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Use the coordinates you wrote down to adjust your satellite dish. You will need to use a compass to adjust the azimuth setting. The long arm that protrudes from the front of the dish (called the LBN arm) should point in the direction recommended by the Dish Pointer. The dish itself should have an elevation indicator on the dish to help you adjust to the Dish Pointer recommendation. You will need to check the signal meter continually to make sure you have the dish in the best position. You may want to have a friend on the phone in front of the television to make this easier and cut down on trips back into the house.
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The highest signal you can achieve is 100, although this is unlikely. You will probably get a signal between 70 and 80. The higher the signal, the less likely it is you will lose the signal during bad weather.
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Tips & Warnings
Always consult your owner's manual. Different systems differ in how to troubleshoot and reposition the dish.
