How to Install a Ka/Ku Dish

The DirecTV Slimline KA/KU dish may be a bit larger then your standard digital satellite dish but that is for a good reason. DirecTV takes advantage of the KA and the KU band, which don't interfere with each other, to gather more information coming out of the sky. A little larger dish means DirecTV can gather multiple satellite signals for more information to give you better picture, better sound and more options in your television viewing. You're going to have to be a little more precise in aiming the dish but other than that it is a lot like installing any other dish.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Phillips screwdriver
• Directional compass
• Electric drill and bit
• Bubble level

Instructions

1. Find a good location with a clear line-of-sight to the south to mount your dish. Make sure that location is firm enough to support the dish, such as your roof, the side of a building, a chimney or a satellite stand. Set the elevation on the dish.

2. Attach the antenna mast to the location you have selected. If you have a satellite stand, attach the dish according to the instructions that came with the stand. If you want to attach it to your chimney you will need to purchase a chimney mounting kit. To attach the dish to the roof or side of your building place the base of the antenna on the spot you want to mount it. There are four screw holes on the base. With the hardware that came with the dish, drill four screws through the base into the building to secure the dish.

3. Plumb the mast. It is key that the mast that the dish sits on is straight up and down and level in aiming your dish correctly. DirecTV includes a bubble level to help you do this. If you don't have the bubble level you can use your own level by placing it alongside the mast to make sure it is straight, then on top of the mast to ensure the mast is level. Tighten the adjustment bolts located at the base of the mast with a 7/16-inch nut driver.

4. Place the dish on the mast. There is a sleeve on the back of the dish; slide it over the top of the mast until it hits the pivot bolt. You will tighten the dish to the mast after you have found the signal later.

5. Run the coaxial cable that runs into your building through the mast starting at the bottom and continuing until the cable comes out the top.

6. Run the cable all the way through the LNB (low noise blocker) arm. The LNB arm extends out from the bottom of the dish and holds the blockers. The KA/KU dish has four separate connections for four separate coax cables on the LNB. The number of receivers you have determines how many cables you will need. Twist the F-connector on the end of the coaxial cable onto the female F-Connector on the LNB.

7. Slide the LNB base over the end of the LNB arm. Secure it to the arm with the hardware that came with the dish. Place the bolt through the hole at the bottom of the base and through the bolt hole at the end of the arm. Secure it by twisting on the nut as tight as you can get it.

8. Point the dish to the south. Go to the on-screen menu on your receiver. In the dish pointing option there is a place to get the elevation, skew and azimuth (the side-to-side direction) coordinates to find the signal at your location. Write those coordinates down.

9. Set the elevation and the azimuth on the back of the dish by using the guides to find the number you are looking for. Tighten the pivot bolt and the azimuth/mast bolts when done.

10. Set the skew coordinates by twisting the entire dish on the mast matching the skew point with the number you need on the skew guide. Tighten the dish to the mast.

11. Check your signal strength on your receiver. If your signal isn't strong enough, slowly adjust the dish up to 15 to 20 degrees to either side until you locate the strongest possible signal.

References

• DirecTV: Self-Installiation Guide