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| General
Installation Help |
| Tools |
&
Supplies |
| Drill |
RG-6 Cable |
| 7/16"
and 5/16" drill bits appropriate for drilling through your
exterior surface |
F Connectors |
| Phillips
screwdriver |
Ground Wire |
| Socket
set/wrenches - 7/16" open end wrench or adjustable
|
Ground Block |
| Hammer |
Silicon |
| Compass |
4 - 6 Lag bolts |
| Angle
Finder |
DIY Wiring and Installation
Manual |
| RCA
DIY Installation Kit |
Satellite Finder & Signal Meters |
| About
Grounding
the System |
Grounding
the satellite system to the central building ground helps protect
it and other components from lightning damage. Different brands
of satellite systems may have special grounding requirements. However,
dish installation should comply with local codes and the National
Electrical Code (NEC). Refer to your satellite system's user guides
for any other additional grounding information. Grounding the satellite
system is something you can probably do yourself. But if you're
not sure, you should contact a qualified electrician. Acceptable
central building ground points
.
Grounded interior metal cold water pipe within five feet of the
point where it enters the building.
.
Grounded metallic service raceway.
.
Grounded electrical service equipment enclosure.
.
Eight-foot grounding rod driven into the ground (only if bonded
to the central building ground by #6 or heavier bonding wire).
.
Other acceptable grounding electrodes that comply with sections
250 and 810 of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
***The
United States National
Electrical Code specifies that
coaxial
cable that is exposed to lightning
shall
be connected to the grounding system
of the
building as close to the point of cable
entry as possible.
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Routing
and Grounding the Cables
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- Attach the grounding
block to the side of your house close to the point you have chosen
as the coaxial cable entry point. You may have to use anchors,
togglers, or wood screws depending on the surface on which you
are mounting the grounding block.
- Route the coaxial
cable and messenger (ground) wire from the bottom of the mast
to the grounding block.
- Make a 3"-
5" drip loop using cable clips at the grounding block. This
will prevent water from running into the connection at the grounding
block.
- Place some silicone
grease on the connector and connect the coaxial cable to the grounding
block.
- Secure the messenger
(ground) wire to the grounding block.
- Locate the central
building ground.
- Use a grounding
wire (#10 copper or #8 aluminum) that will extend from the grounding
block to the central building ground. Attach the grounding wire
to the grounding block by placing it through the wire hole in
the grounding block and tightening the screw.
- Route the grounding
wire from the grounding block to the central building ground,
and connect to the central building ground.
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| To
get a signal, a satellite dish must be pointed directly at the satellite,
with NO obstructions between the two.
This means NO
trees and NO buildings.
To determine
where the satellite you are looking for is located, use our satellite
look angle and azimuth calculator.
Once you have
obtained that information, use a compass to determine the location
of the satellite from your property.
When you look
for obstacles that may be in the path of the signal (according to
the look angle and the azimuth of the satellite), take into consideration
future tree growth, house remodeling or additions and new construction
in your area.
- The satellite
signal WILL NOT PASS through leaves or branches.
- The satellite
signal WILL NOT PASS through glass; don't try to install your
dish indoors!
Where are
the satellites located anyway?
The satellites
are located 22,000 miles above the equator.
In Canada, depending
on where you live, the satellites highest above your head will have
an elevation angle between 30 and 45 degrees and the most westerly
and most easterly satellites will have an elevation angle between
15 and 10 degrees (vice-versa if you live on the West coast). |
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| Site
survey for fixed dishes |
| The
small and fixed dishes we use today only point to a single satellite,
so chances are that there is at least one location around your
house where you will be able to install such a system.
Go outside
and locate at least one site on your property that has a clear
view to:
- The South
West for Canadians on the East coast,
- The South
East for Canadians on the West coast.
For a more
exact site survey, use a compass in conjunction with the values
obtained by our satellite
look angle and azimuth calculator.
Then, by being
reasonably certain you are pointing toward the right direction:
Imagine you're
pointing at the satellite, located 35 to 20 degrees above the
horizon. Do you have at least one clear view to that direction?
Remember,
no trees, leaves, buildings, or windows can be between the dish
and the satellite.
If the answer
is NO, your site may be unsuitable for installing an 18"
or 24" Satellite System.
If the answer
is YES, your site should be suitable for installing an
18" or 24" Satellite System. |
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| LNBF
Polarization Tilt (skew) |
- Your LNB is
marked with a label indicating the polarization tilt. Your
local LNB polarity offset information varies by location.
If you are in Houston, TX your LNB polarization is to be set
at 0 degrees. But if you are on the California coast your
LNB polarization could be as much as minus 30 degrees (clockwise
rotation). And if you are in Maine your LNB polarization could
be as much as plus 30 degree (counter-clockwise rotation).
Peaking the dish and adjusting the polarity of the LNB
will greatly improve your Signal Quality reading.
- When adjusting
your LNB, it's not going to be turned more than 31 degrees
(unless you live in Hawaii). Also be sure you don't leave
that LNB plastic bracket loose. The LNB won't pick up the
satellite if the bracket is loose, and it's slightly off.
Finally, when thinking about degrees, remember that 30 degrees
is about 5 minutes on a clock. Don't turn the LNB too much!
- Make
certain that the pole or tri-mast assembly is vertically plumb.
Check it with an Angle Finder or a level. If the pole
or tri-mast is not plumb, your azimuth and elevation will
not be accurate and will cause difficulty when pointing the
dish. Also, if you are using a pole mount, make certain you
pour a sufficient footing that will provide proper ballast.
A pole that does not have sufficient ballast will lean over
time, causing you to lose the signal. Your
mount must be very strong and can not wobble. You must use
at least 4 lag screws (correct size for your installation)
in the base mount one on each corner.
- When pointing
the satellite dish, allow 5-10 seconds between any movements
of the dish. This allows the receiver to complete a signal
scan, and lock indicating that you have located the signal.
- A reasonable
signal strength is between 50 and 80. If it is lower than
that range, you are either pointing into an object (e.g. trees,
shrubs, or structures) or pointing above or below the satellite.
Your antenna installation position must have a clear view
angle of the satellite you are trying to receive.
- There
are other satellites within 2 degrees to the left or right
that may use the same frequency. This will provide a strong
signal strength reading but no signal quality or signal lock.
If you have a high strength reading but are not able to lock
on, try adjusting the dish slightly to the right or left.
- When
you are attempting to set up a satellite dish in a heavily
wooded area or one with lots of man made obstructions, it
helps to understand how the dish really works. One common
misconception is that the dish points 'directly' at the satellite.
This isn't the case for most dish designs. The apparent elevation
of the dish is 15 or more degrees lower than it's actual receiving
window. Have a look at this diagram.... it's easier to see
it than it is to explain it.....
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| Professional Installation
is strongly recommended if you have difficulty locating and locking
on your favorite satellite. Guidelines
and tips provided on this website are intended to help you achieve
a successful installation of your new satellite system. You are
advised to consult a professional installer if you need more support. |
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2003 Satpros Corp., All Rights Reserved. |
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