How to Install a DirecTV High Definition Dish

DirecTV began in 1990.

DirecTV is a television provider that uses satellite technology to receive and distribute television programming. When you open a DirecTV account, you have the choice of installing the satellite dish yourself or having a DirecTV technician install it for you. Installing your satellite dish without the assistance of a DirecTV professional technician can be complicated if you don't have the right tools and know-how.

Things You'll Need

• DirecTV Receiver
• Pen or pencil
• Notepad
• Assembled DirecTV satellite dish
• Compass
• 7/16-inch nut driver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Grounding wire
• RG 6 cable
• Electric drill
• Drill bit
• LNB connector

Instructions

1. Connect your DirecTV receiver to a phone line and your television set. The required cables come with your DirecTV installation package. Once powered on, the receiver will automatically ask you for your ZIP code. Input the code and write down the prompted elevation coordinate number on your notepad.

2. Locate a suitable outdoor location for your DirecTV satellite dish. Common home installation areas are roofs, balconies, decks and side walls.

3. Use your compass to determine where to point your dish. It's important that your DirecTV satellite dish points south, as that is the direction facing the satellite signal.

4. Bolt the DirecTV satellite dish into your desired location. Use the 7/16-inch nut driver to securely fasten the four nuts into the mount base of your satellite dish. The nuts used in this step come with your DirecTV satellite dish installation package.

5. Loosen the elevation angle of your satellite with your Phillips screwdriver. The elevation meter is located on the back of your satellite dish. Unscrew to release tension and match up your satellite's elevation with the correct coordinates.

6. Align your DirecTV satellite dish with the correct elevation coordinates. The elevation coordinates were written down on your notepad from Step 1. Tighten the screw once your elevation is correctly aligned.

7. Attach a grounding wire to the base of your DirecTV satellite dish and onto a metal exterior piece of your home. An underground pipe or metal surface will suffice. The grounding wire is to protect your DirectTV satellite dish from lightning damage.

8. Connect one end of your RG 6 cable into your DirecTV satellite dish. The port to connect it will be toward the base of the satellite dish.

9. Connect the other end of the RG 6 cable into the receiver inside your house. If you don't have a hole previously allowing the cable to easily trail into your house, do so with a an electric drill and bit.

10. Connect and adjust the LNB connector to your DirecTV satellite dish. The LNB connector will block unwanted noise from the outside elements. It's placed on the tip of the arm that protrudes from your DirecTV satellite dish.

11. Turn on your DirecTV receiver. Complete the necessary actions when you are prompted by your DirecTV receiver.

Tips & Warnings

• Getting the best-possible image from your dish often takes some fine-tuning.

• Use a sealant around the hole that your RG 6 cable snakes through to keep out cold drafts and bugs.

• Be sure your mounting site is secure and has enough surface area to hold the weight of the dish.

References

• TopBits: How to Install a DirecTV Satellite Dish
• DirecTV: Installation Guide
• Crunch Base: DirecTV

Resources

• DirecTV