Before you begin the satellite TV installation you need to determine where the best place is to mount the satellite dish. You need to have an unobstructed view of the southern sky, and the dish can be mounted on your roof, on the side of your home, on a porch, or even in your yard.

Note: If you live in an apartment or condo, or you have a strict home owner's association, you may need permission to mount your satellite dish on the outside of your home.

Once the dish is mounted the next step is routing the cable from the dish to the locations in your home where the satellite TV receivers will be placed. If your home is large, or the space between the walls is filled, this may take some time.

After the cable has been installed it is attached to the receivers and the receivers are then connected to your TVs.

Last, but not least, the dish is aimed toward the DISH Network satellite in order to get the correct azimuth (direction), skew (rotation), and elevation (angle). This is done using the elevation indicator on the dish, a compass, and the signal strength meter from the DISH Network on-screen menu to fine tune the dish for maximum reception.

A DISH Network satellite TV systems consists of the following:

* Satellite TV dish - captures the signal beamed down from a DISH Network satellite.

* LNB (low noise block) converter - amplifies and converts the satellite TV signal and sends it to a receiver.

* Satellite TV receiver - processes the satellite TV signal and sends it to a TV.

When you order satellite TV service from DISH Network all the equipment you need for satellite TV viewing is free. Installation of the systems in up to four rooms of your home is also free. The installer will even show you how to operate your system and answer any questions you may have.

In addition to the free receivers you receive, you have the option of ordering a free HD (high definition) receiver for high definition viewing or a free DVR (digital video recorder) receiver so you can digitally record your favorite programs. For an additional $199 you can order a combination HD/DVR receiver.

DISH Network has 350 channels of satellite TV programming including movie channels, sports packages, Sirius satellite radio channels, news channels, weather channels, game channels, and pay-per-view movies and special events.

They currently offers four satellite TV packages starting at $19.99 for the 40-channel Dish Family Pak, and going up to $74.99 for the 350-channel America's "Everything" Pak.