How to Use a Dish Mounted on a House for DirecTV
Satellite television is gaining in popularity due to a wide range of programming that exceeds most cable providers. DirecTV is one of the two major providers that serve most of America with quality programming. Having a satellite dish installed is a difficult process that involves skilled training and a lot of waiting. Here is how a dish pre-installed can save you and your DirecTV technician time and effort.
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Instructions
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Determine if the existing dish still works. If the house was inhabited previously, ask the realtor or previous owner what service they had and if there were any problems such as poor picture quality or service interruptions on a regular basis. If the dish is on the roof, use a ladder to climb up safely and check for any apparent damage such as cracks in the plastic molding or dents. Also check to see if the dish is attached securely to the roof.
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Examine the house's coaxial cable. A satellite dish connects to a cable box using the same sort of coaxial cable that cable providers use to connect to the pole outside of your house. The cable is durable but any damage to it can cause issues. Make sure there is no visual damage. Also check for extra tautness in the cable. A cable run too tautly can break over time due to winds and other movement.
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Examine the cable connections. The ends of a coaxial cable are metal and can rust over time. Gently unscrew and check for signs of rust or water damage. The inside of a coaxial cable is metal and capable of bending or rusting, causing picture problems. Check the whole of the coaxial cable from the satellite dish to the cable box inside of the house for rust. If the connection is on tightly, use an adjustable wrench to loosen enough to unscrew with your fingers. Do not use the wrench to tighten the connections back up.
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Call your local DirecTV provider. Ask about the dish on the roof and see if it can be used with your new plan. A technician will be called out to install the cable box regardless, but it's best to check with your satellite provider to see if the dish is fully up to date and compatible with their service.
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Tips & Warnings
Take care using the ladder and exercise proper precautions. If there are any breaks in your coaxial cable, a qualified DirecTV installer may replace the cables. Be sure to ask customer support for specifics.
Sometimes a satellite provider will insist on upgrading the dish at a reduced cost to you as part of installation. It might cost you some time, but it's a good idea to listen to your DirecTV customer-support associate to assure quality service.
References
- Photo Credit dish image by charles taylor from Fotolia.com
