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[H1571]How To Satellite Dish

by Keith Londrie, Kei

Satellite TV is a round, concave dish-shaped antenna used in telecommunication systems and astronomy; an uplink antenna is used to send electronic signals to a communications satellite or other spacecraft.

To provide you with that quality satellite programming you enjoy so much, your satellite dish must receive a signal from the appropriate source. Man-made satellites orbit around the Earth at just about 20,000 miles into the sky. These satellites receive digital signals from your programming provider, encrypt them and then send them back out to subscribers.

In order to enjoy maximum results from your TV satellite dish, you need to be sure it's receiving the best possible signal. Where you point your satellite then becomes an all-important step in getting great reception. But how does one point a satellite dish?

The good news is that you can usually find this information with the help of your satellite provider. DISH Network for example features a Point Dish/Signal option in their on-screen menu to assist you in the adjustment of your TV satellite dish. Using your zip code, you can determine the azimuth, elevation and skew. Pointing your dish is normally part of the installation process so plan to do your install when you have time to follow through.

Since the satellite dish is small, it is also light and not bulky in size, this also makes it easier to mount. Satellite dishes have two antennae's which are pointing back to the dish and shooting off into the blue sky.

Types
Individual dishes serving one dwelling: Direct To Home (DTH).
Collective dishes, shared by several dwellings: Satellite Master Antenna Television (SMATV).

The satellite dish is installed by the companies you are getting your programming from. It is at this time that the dish is aligned with the satellite and is tightened down to prevent it from moving in most installations. There are rare times when heavy winds can cause the diswh to become mis-aligned. These instances are few and far between because the dish is usually mounted very solidly.

Check with all different satellite providers to learn of the programming choices available to you and to determine the price range for the optional packages you may select.

If you've chosen a satellite TV provider over your local cable company, one issue you might be having difficulty with is the installation of the dish itself. The dish provider company will offer to send a service technician out to your house for the initial installation, but they might charge a fee. And what if you have problems with reception afterward and need to make adjustments? Additionally, if you've chosen to install your satellite dish yourself, you may have to mount and adjust it a few times before you get it ‘picture perfect'. So, here is some information and tips to help you get the best signal from your satellite dish, including where to mount and how to adjust the dish for the best reception.

Where to Mount the Dish

The first step is deciding where to mount the dish. Because the actual satellite that sends the signals to your dish antenna resides in space about 22,300 miles above the equator, you'll need to install it where you, yourself can see a clear, unobstructed view of the southern sky. This is the guideline for selecting the generalized mounting area so you can then further determine exactly where to put it.

You should try to avoid mounting your satellite dish on the roof of your home because not only can that cause possible leaks, but you will also want to have easy access to it for clearing snow, leaves, etc. from the signal path or repositioning the dish later on. Think back to the old-style, roof-mounted metal ‘tree' antennas that were used way-back-when, and what an inconvenience it was for someone to have to climb up to the top of the house and adjust it – not fun or safe, especially in bad weather.

How to Mount and Adjust the Dish

• Once you've chosen the exact spot, attach the mounting plate to your house so that it is flush and level with the mounting surface.

o Use silicone to fill in any extra space around the drill holes to prevent pests and the elements from getting inside.

• Assemble the antenna/dish and mount it to the plate.

• To determine the best position for the dish, you can use a compass in conjunction with the markings on the antenna mechanism itself. You can also use an electronic satellite locator to help you fine tune the signal reception.

• Attaching the cable to the antenna/dish and drill a hole to insert the cable through and hook that and the coax cable up to your TV and receiver box.

o Note: If you're running the cable up or down through a wall to reach the TV, using a cable snake will help you maneuver it.

• Turn on both the TV and digital receiver box and check the current reception quality.

• If need be, fine-tune the coordinates of the dish position:

o Adjust the Elevation (up or down) designation of the dish
o Adjust the Azimuth (left or right) signal position of the dish

You may have to go back and forth into the house a few times to check the reception, and it would be helpful to have someone inside alerting you to the reception quality, but following these guidelines will help you to end up with the best signal strength.

You can also:

1. Refer to your user manual;

2. Use the remote you were provided with and follow the built-in ‘set-up' menu options on the TV screen; and/or

3. Contact the provider's customer service department for additional questions or assistance.

Article Source : How To Adjust Satellite

About Author

Both Keith Londrie & Gray Rollins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Keith Londrie has sinced written about articles on various topics from Online Dating, Information Technology and ADHD. Keith Londrie II is a well known author. For more information on Satellite TV, please visit for a wealth of information. You may also want to visi. Keith Londrie's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.

Gray Rollins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Property Investment, Guide Guitar and insurance agents. Gray Rollins is a featured writer for SatelliteOnPCs.com. To learn how you can watch , then visit the site. You may also be interested in this. Gray Rollins's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.