Instructions for self-installation - setting up a satellite television system will come in handy when there is no physical or material opportunity to turn to professionals. After reviewing it, you can be sure that this procedure does not present any difficulty.
This process can be divided into 3 stages:
- Assembly of the plate parts.
- Installation and configuration of a satellite dish. Independently searches for a suitable mounting location and satellite, taking into account possible interference, as well as attaching the dish to the supporting structure.
- Connecting a satellite tuner to a TV and antenna, tuning to a search channel and fine-tuning the dish based on signal strength.
It is not recommended to mount the antenna on the roof unless absolutely necessary. If you cannot do without it, then you should consult with a specialist before installation.
All systems must be properly grounded. Improper grounding can lead toequipment damage and serious injury. Both the dish itself and the coaxial cable connecting the converter to the receiver inside the building can be grounded.
Setting up a satellite dish yourself: preparation and procedure
Installation will require:
- use tools;
- determining the presence of water pipes, electrical wiring or gas lines near the installation site;
- using compass, protractor and building level;
- running coaxial cable through walls and under floors;
- using stairs;
- knowledge of local grounding codes.
In the absence of experience in performing such tasks, installation and configuration of a satellite dish cannot be done independently - you should seek the help of persons who have such experience.
You will also need these tools:
- Phillips and slotted screwdriver;
- hex key;
- electric drill and drills;
- building level;
- compass;
- protractor
The following supplies are needed:
- screws for attaching the antenna pole;
- coaxial cable;
- ground block and ground wire;
- cable fixing;
- antenna socket;
- silicone for sealing cable entry holes and dish mounting holes.
Helpful tips
- Key points that accompany installation andsatellite dish setup: do not drill any holes yourself until the best place to place the dish has been determined.
- Before you set up the satellite tuner yourself, you must ensure that the dish installation complies with local electrical and building codes, other laws and regulations. If you are not sure, you should seek help from the architectural and construction inspection and energy supervision.
- To facilitate occasional snow removal, choose an easily accessible installation site.
- You should make sure that there are no obstacles between the dish and the line of sight of the satellite. Keep in mind that trees grow and may block the signal in the future.
- The maximum allowable length of the RG-6 cable connecting the receiver to the dish is 45m.
- Using a cable with a lower class (such as RG-59) may result in excessive signal loss and poor reception. The brand of the cable is indicated on its sheath.
Installation location
The antenna must be installed on a solid base. To prevent the dish from changing its position in windy weather, before setting up the satellite tuner yourself, you need to choose a place where it can be securely fixed. The mounting surface must be rigid and firm.
Important: the offset plate can be rotated within 70°. If the antenna is mounted on a wall, check if it can be deployed inassembled in the desired direction. Otherwise, change the mounting location.
It is not recommended to install an antenna:
- on a railing or fence;
- on aluminum or vinyl siding;
- on the roof unless absolutely necessary.
Assembling the satellite dish
Assemble the antenna parts according to the instruction manual. As a result, the attachment to the supporting structure, the reflector holder and the mirror itself with a bracket for mounting the converter or multifeed should be ready.
Searching for a satellite: DIY antenna and tuner setup
It is necessary to determine the orientation direction of the dish. For example, if you plan to receive a signal from the Hot Bird satellite located at positions 13, 0E, Astra 4A 4, 9E and Amos 4, 0W, then the antenna should be directed to all three positions of the geostationary orbit.
For each satellite, you must determine the azimuth, elevation, or elevation of the satellite, and the angle of rotation of the linear polarization converter.
Reception may not be possible in areas with an elevation angle of less than 12°. If you have access to a computer, the exact antenna settings can be obtained from www.dishpointer.com. You must enter the name of your locality and select the satellite or multifeed that the dish is tuned to.
For Moscow, the data is as follows:
| Satellite | Hot Bird 13E | Astra 5E | Amos4W |
Multifeed 13E, 5E, 4W |
| Azimuth | 209, 0° | 218, 0° | 227, 1° | 217, 7° |
| Elevation angle | 22, 7° | 20, 0° | 16, 5° | 20, 1° |
| LNB angle | 15, 8° | 20, 2° | 24, 3° | – |
Standing at the site of the future installation of the antenna, and holding the compass evenly, slowly turn it, aligning the arrow with the north direction. The mark on the edge of the device, corresponding to the azimuth of the satellite determined earlier, will indicate the direction you are looking for.
For compass data to be accurate, large metal objects must be avoided. The accuracy of measurements can be checked by taking a control measurement a few meters from the previous one.
The angle of the satellite can be determined using a protractor. You also need to make sure there are no obstructions. If there is no direct line of sight to the satellite, you need to choose another place for the antenna. It will not be superfluous to make sure that there are no plants that may close the direct view in the future.
Mounting the plate
Before drilling mounting holes using a building level, before setting up the satellite tuner yourself, check the vertical orientation of the bracket. If the bracket is installed obliquely, then further actions losemeaning.
- In the structure on which the antenna is mounted, it is necessary to drill holes corresponding to the mounting holes of the bracket. Fix the bracket with anchor bolts. Check connection for mobility.
- Install the dish mirror mount by loosening the azimuth bolt and the elevation bolt. Tighten the elevation adjustment bolt so that the mount can rest on the bracket.
- Loosen the elevation bolt 1/3 turn. You need to adjust the angle of the mount according to the satellite data and tighten the bolt.
- Install the converter bracket and fix it securely.
- Using the compass, point the LNB in the direction of the satellite bearing. Draw a vertical mark on the antenna mount and bracket. It will indicate the approximate direction to the satellite when setting up.
- Loosen the LNB angle adjustment bolt. Tilt the plate mirror to the desired angle and securely fasten it. In the future, no adjustments to this parameter need to be made.
Connecting the receiver
To be able to observe the signal level to increase it to the maximum value, you need to connect one of the converters and the TV to the receiver. Preparation of the receiver's satellite tuner for connection is carried out in accordance with its instructions.
Connect the RG-6 coaxial cable to one of the LNB outlets. Connect the other end of the coaxial cable to the receiver's input jack. ForIn order to make it easier to set up the dish, it is recommended to temporarily connect the receiver and TV near the place of its installation. If it is impossible to observe the signal level on the TV screen from there, then the satellite antenna and tuner cannot be set up and installed independently. This will require an assistant who will control the readings on the TV.
To receive a signal, you need to set the receiver's satellite tuner to a channel that is open to the public. For example, to receive from the satellite Astra 5E (formerly Sirius), you should select the transponder 11766H, 12073H or 12245V, Hot Bird 13E - 10971H, 11766H or 12207H, Amos 4W - 10722H, 10759H. For information on how to add the desired channel on the satellite tuner, see the user manual for your specific receiver model.
Start the signal setup menu in the receiver. The program window will display its current level on a scale graduated from its absence to the highest value. The goal is to maximize the signal.
Check if there is a connection between the satellite receiver and the LNB. The display method depends on the satellite receiver. Some devices indicate the presence of a connection in green, and the absence in red.
Setting the dish to signal
Setting up satellite television is done independently with a direct line of sight of the TV screen, and with an assistant who controls the signal strength, in the absence of the possibility of connecting equipment near the antenna. If it is usedsearch device, you should go to the appropriate section.
You will need data on the azimuth, elevation and inclination of the convector determined earlier.
- Make sure the plate settings match the calculated data.
- Apply an identification mark to the junction of the bracket and antenna mount before making any adjustments.
- Standing behind the plate, take it with both hands from both sides and turn as far as possible to the west. Then slowly move the antenna east while the assistant watches the tuner setup screen on the TV.
- When the signal appears, make a second mark.
- If the maximum power point is passed, then turn the antenna in the opposite direction until the maximum signal is reached.
- Tighten the cymbal fixing screws.
- Now, to further improve the signal strength, you should correct the angle of the satellite. After that, you can securely tighten all the bolts.
Alternative setting method
- You can determine the location of satellites using a special device - an antenna signal indicator.
- To do this, connect a short coaxial cable from the converter to the LNB connector of the indicator, and the cable from the receiver to its second connector.
- Tune into the working channel of the satellite.
- Orient the antenna to the azimuth and elevation calculated earlier.
- Move the plate to the right of the control mark.
- Slowly rotating the mirror back to the mark, listen to the change in the pitch of the indicator sound signal. If the tilt angle is set correctly, pitch changes will be heard. A weak sound may indicate a signal from another satellite. It is necessary to find the position of the maximum reading of the indicator.
- Repeat the procedure, changing the elevation angle.
- After tuning is complete, turn off the search indicator and connect the tuner directly to the converter. Check the signal strength with the built-in software of the receiver.
Coax grounding
Self-install kit includes block and ground wire.
Before setting up the satellite tuner, the outdoor cable is grounded independently, which may be subject to static discharges or contact with electrical wiring. For this, a special block is used, placed as close as possible to the entry point.
Attach the ground block to the wall near the antenna. Connect the cable from the dish and the receiver to it.
Connect the wire to the block connector. Tighten screw. Connect wire to building ground loop or other suitable point.
Troubleshooting
If you have problems finding a satellite signal, you should take the following actions:
- make sure the cable is connected to the SAT IN port of the satellite TV receiver;
- make sure the channel settings are correct. If everyoneis correct, then enter the data of another transponder;
- Make sure the cable is securely connected and re-confirm the azimuth, elevation and tilt of the LNB for your location. Check the straight section of the bracket by plumb;
- repeat the search for the satellite, decreasing or increasing the elevation angle by 1° from the initial setting.
Connecting DiSEqC and scanning channels
If the number of converters is more than one, then after setting up the satellites, DiSEqC should be connected. For example, input A is Hot Bird 13E, input B is Astra 5E, input C is Amos 4W.
The switch is installed near the antenna and placed in a waterproof container with ventilation holes in the bottom.
It marked the inputs for connecting heads. It is necessary to write down their correspondence to each converter, so that then in the tuner menu for each satellite head, in accordance with the connection, set DiSEqC. In this case, the sequence does not matter. It is enough to match the specific connection to the installation of the receiver. If the DiSEqC position is correct, a signal should appear.
This completes the installation and configuration of the satellite dish.
