Satellite Dish Installation Tips

by Bella Michaels

Overview

Many people choose to receive their television signal via a satellite dish rather than a cable company. For some people, it is a cost savings; for others it is the only option because cable is not available in their area. To receive the signal from a satellite, a dish has to be installed. Most companies will either charge for the installation service or offer it for free if you sign a contract for a year or more. If you do not like these options, you can install a satellite dish yourself.

Satellite Dish Installation Tips
Satellite Equipment

The company you will get your signal from will give you the satellite dish and mounting bracket as well as the receiver that goes inside. The dish will be appropriate for the type of service you purchase. They might give some RG-6 coaxial cable but be prepared to buy cable yourself, especially if you will be running the cable from one side of the house to another. Most companies recommend keeping the cable length less than 200 feet when installing a satellite dish.

Cable

Location

Where you choose to put your satellite dish is one of the most important steps to insuring good reception. Your satellite service provider can tell you where in the sky its satellite is located. Find a location where the dish will have an unobstructed view of the satellite location. There should not be any trees, branches, buildings or fences between the dish and the satellite. A branch blowing into the line between the dish and the satellite will cause the picture to break up. Many dishes are mounted on roofs for this reason. Pick your location and mount the dish per the installation instructions. The instructions will also tell you where to connect the cables.
Fine Tuning

Once you have mounted the dish and connected the cables, run the cables to the inside. Connect them to the receiver and the receiver to the television. Then, fine tune the signal. This process is best suited for two people. One person needs to watch the signal strength meter on the television screen, and one person needs to be within reach of the dish. The person within reach of the dish will slowly move it from side to side while the other person watches for the signal to increase. If that process doesn't work, an adjustment up and down might need to be made. Use walkie-talkies to communicate if the dish is not adjacent to the room where the television is located.