How to Install a Dish 500 Quad

A Dish Network 500 satellite dish can receive multiple numbers of satellite transmissions from the compatible satellite overhead. To enable two dual-tuner satellite receivers to work with the Dish 500, install two dual LNB -- or low noise blocker amplifier -- satellite modules onto the dish to make it a quad satellite dish. A few supplies from a satellite service shop will be needed, along with some tools and video cables most homeowners already have on hand, but which can be acquired from a hardware store or electronics supply if necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Compass
• Wood screws
• Phillips screwdriver
• Ladder, 10 foot
• 2 dual LNB modules
• 4 coaxial cables, 3 feet long
• 2 coaxial cables, 100 feet long
• Satellite multi-switch
• Duct tape
• Portable drill
• Drill bit, 1 inch
• Silicone sealant
• Staple gun
• "U" clamp staples
• 2 dual-tuner satellite receivers
• 2 HDMI cables
• 2 HDTVs
• HDTV remotes
• Satellite receiver remotes
• Assistant
• Cell phones
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Stand against the side of the house that faces in a southernly direction -- a compass can help you find which direction is south. Place the ladder against the side of the house. Ascend halfway up the ladder. Place the satellite bracket that comes with the Dish 500 kit against the wall. Secure the bracket to the wall with wood screws using the Phillips screwdriver.

2. Loosen the screws around the collar at the top of the bracket with the Phillips screwdriver. Loosen the screws at the front bottom of the satellite dish with the Phillips screwdriver. Place the pole at the bottom of the satellite dish through the collar at the top of the bracket. Turn the dish so that it is facing south. Tighten the screws.

3. Insert the single end of the lateral LNB support pole included with the Dish 500 kit into the hole at the front bottom of the dish. Turn the pole so the two angled sections at the other end are pointing up. Tighten the screws.

4. Loosen the two screws on the sides of the two dual LNB modules. Place a dual LNB module on each of the angled ends of the pole. Turn the LNB modules so their plastic-tipped fronts face in toward the dish. Tighten the screws.

5. Screw an end of a 3-foot coaxial cable into each of the two coax outputs on both LNB modules. Screw the free ends of the coaxial cables connected to one of the LNB modules into the No. 1 and No. 2 coax inputs on the satellite multi-switch. Screw the free ends of the two coaxial cables attached to the other LNB module into the No. 3 and No. 4 coax inputs on the satellite multi-switch. Screw an end of the two 100 foot coaxial cables into the two coax outputs on the satellite multi-switch.

6. Tape the satellite multi-switch to the side of the bracket with strips of duct tape. Run the two coaxial cables down the side of the house and across the bottom to the nearest door leading inside.

7. Drill a hole next to the door with the portable drill. Push the two coaxial cables through the hole. Run one of the coaxial cables along the baseboard of the wall until it reaches an HDTV set that will be used to watch satellite TV. Place a dual-tuner satellite receiver next to the HDTV. Repeat this procedure with the other coaxial cable and another HDTV and dual-tuner satellite receiver.

8. Apply silicone sealant to both sides of the hole to seal off the outside. Staple the coaxial cables going down the side of the wall with "U" clamp staples.

9. Connect the free end of a 100-foot coaxial cable into the coax input on the coax adapter. Screw an end of a 1-foot coaxial cable into each of the two coax outputs on the coax adapter. Screw the two free ends of the 1-foot coaxial cables into the two coax inputs on the back of the dual-tuner satellite receiver.

10. Connect one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI output on the satellite receiver's back panel. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable into an HDMI input on the HDTV. Turn the HDTV on with its remote. Press the "Menu" button. Select the "Video input" setting from the menu selections. Select the HDMI input that the HDMI cable is plugged into from the list of choices presented. Press the "Menu" button to return to the HDTV's main screen.

11. Press the "Select" button on the satellite receiver's remote to take it out of standby mode. Press the "Menu" button. Select "HD setup." Select the HDMI output from the list of choices presented under "Video output." Select "1080i" from the "Resolution" menu and "16:9" from the "Aspect ratio" menu. Press the "Live TV" button on the remote to back up to the HD setup screen. Select "Audio." Select "Dolby Digital" from the list of choices presented. Press "Live TV" repeatedly to return to the satellite receiver's TV programming screen.

12. Repeat this entire procedure with the other 100-foot coaxial cable, the other dual-tuner satellite receiver and another HDTV to set up the HDTV and the dual-tuner satellite receiver.

13. Press the "Menu" button on one of the dual-tuner satellite receiver's remotes. Select "System Setup." Select "Point Dish/Signal" from the list of choices presented. Have an assistant stand in front of the HDTV while you return up the ladder to the satellite dish. Call the assistant on his/her cell phone. Place the cell phone in your pocket with the "Speakerphone" turned on.

14. Loose the two knobs on the side of the bracket with your fingers. Raise and lower the dish until the assistant tells you the signal meter on the screen has reached the highest number possible -- the number will also be noted on the bottom of the screen besides being indicated by a signal strength bar. Tighten the knob controlling the elevation of the dish with your fingers. Tighten the knob as tightly as possible with pliers.

15. Repeat this entire procedure while moving the dish from side to side in very slow increments. Tighten the knob with the pliers once it has been tightened with your fingers.

16. Go down the ladder. Place the ladder away. Press the "Live TV" button repeatedly on the receiver's remote to exit the "Point Dish/Signal" screen. Turn the HDTVs off and the dual-tuner satellite receivers back to standby mode with their respective remotes.

Tips & Warnings

• Having someone hold the ladder while you are on it is the safest way to use a ladder.

References

• Satellite TV Wiz: How Do I Install Dish Pro 500 Antenna (provided by Dish Network)?

Resources

• Dish Network: Let's Watch TV