How to Install a Dish Satellite System

Many satellite companies, including Dish Network, will provide free equipment and install it all just for signing up for a certain period of time. However, these installers don't always take the best care of your home when drilling holes in your roof, and it may be possible to avoid a long-term commitment if installing the equipment yourself. Installing a dish can be challenging, pointing the dish at satellites 26,000 miles away being the primary task in any dish installation.

Things You'll Need

• RG-6 coaxial cable
• Multi-LNB satellite dish
• Satellite receiver; one for each television to be connected to the system
• Satellite splitter purchased from Dish Network
• Pliers
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Compass
• RCA audio/video cables
• Assistant

Instructions

Install Dish Receivers

1. Connect a receiver to a television using a set of RCA audio/video cables. These cables connect to three ports on the back of the receiver; these three ports will be yellow, red and white and labeled output. Make sure to match up the color-coding.

2. Connect the other set of ends to the RCA audio/video inputs on the back of the television. These will be identical to the ones on the receiver. Ensure to match the color-coding. Plug the receiver into a power outlet.

3. Set the television to receive a signal from the satellite receiver. This is done by cycling through the TV's video modes. This is done using the receiver's remote, and pushing a button labeled something like "source" or "input." For more information, check the television's manual.

4. Navigate to the on-screen setup menu on the satellite receiver, then the initial setup and antenna alignment. Enter your ZIP code and type of dish. The receiver will provide two numbers: elevation and azimuth. Write these down.

5. Install all remaining satellite receivers.

Install Dish

1. Determine a place to mount the satellite dish. The azimuth corresponds to degrees on a compass; use the number to determine the correct direction. Make sure that the dish has a clear view of the sky from this direction; usually the dish will be placed somewhere high up, like the roof of the house, to ensure this. Nothing can impede the view, including power lines and trees.

2. Install the mounting bracket. Drill holes for each of the screw holes (usually four), then screw the bracket onto the mounting surface. Then slide the pole into the hole on the top of the bracket, and secure it in place by tightening the bolts in place.

3. Set the elevation on the AZ/EL mounting bracket. There will be a slider on the side of the bracket with numbers; set this to the number given by the satellite receiver, then secure it in place with the included bolt. Then attach the round portion of the dish to the bracket.

4. Attach RG-6 coaxial cables to the coaxial outputs on the LNB. The Low Noise Block converter, or LNB, is the portion of the dish which receives and decodes the satellite signal. Below each of the white plastic LNBs will be two or more round metal ports with pin-sized holes in the center. Connect a coaxial cable to each of these ports by inserting the pin from the center of the cable into the port, then tighten the cable's end to secure it in place.

5. Run the RG-6 coaxial cables connected to the LNB down the length of the satellite dish's arm. Then push the LNB onto the arm, and secure it in place with the included screw. Finally attach the arm to the satellite dish with the included screws.

6. Slide the assembled dish onto the mounting pole and point it to the direction determined by the azimuth. Then tighten the dish in place with the bolts on the AZ/EL bracket.

Wiring

1. Mount the satellite splitter. This should be somewhere close to the ground in a central location between all of the television's that are to be installed onto the satellite system. Drill holes to mount the splitter onto a wall (usually two or four holes), then secure it onto the wall with the included screws.

2. Connect the coaxial cables from the satellite dish to the inputs on the satellite splitter. Attach one RG-6 coaxial cable to an output on the other side of the splitter; one wire for each television that is to be connected to the system (two wires per DVR, or digital video recorder).

3. Run the cables to each of the satellite receivers. Connect the cables to the satellite inputs ports on these receivers (a DVR will have two satellite input ports).

References

• Southern Sky Satellite: Pre-Wiring For Satellite & Cable