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Dish Installation
Choosing The Site for Dish Installation
The first thing you need to do is choose the installation site. The
area must have a clear "line of sight" to the satellite. This
means there can be no obstruction between the dish and the satellite. This
includes building, tree branches, mountain, etc. In order to receive a good
signal, select an outdoor site with a clear, unobstructed view of the
South, Southeast, or Southwest. If you install the dish in the winter,
leaves that are normally on the branches may not be present. A problem with
reception may occur when the leaves grow back in the spring and summer.
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Dish Assembly
Dish Mount
Installation
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Figure 1
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Figure 2
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Figure 3
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- Insert the Stand Pipe
between the two ears of the Mount Bracket as in Figure 1.
- Ensure that both the pivot
bolt and the adjustment bolt are in place as in Figure 2.
- The top of the Stand Pipe
must be mounted vertically, perpendicular to the ground, otherwise it
will complicate pointing the dish at the satellite. We suggest using a
contractor's level and placing it on top of pipe the pipe as in Figure
3.
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Dish Pointing Basic
To receive broadcast
signals for Intelsat Americas 5 or any satellite, your dish must be
positioned correctly. The exact direction that your antenna will have to be
pointed is dependent upon your location. The elevation angle
is the angle relative to the horizon, that the antenna must be raised in
order to be able to receive signals from a particular satellite. The azimuth
compass bearing is the compass bearing, left to right, that the antenna
must be pointed toward in order to receive the satellite signal. Those two
angles will help you determine if the location you have selected for
placement of your antenna will permit unimpeded satellite reception. If you
don't know the elevation angle and the azimuth compass bearing of where you
live click here. To
calculate the elevation and the azimuth, you need to know the satellite
degree and your Zipcode. For example: Intelsat Americas 5 is located at 97°
W, SatMex is at 116.8° W, and Galaxy 11 is at 91.0° W. If you are not
familiar with the orientation of the location where you would like to place
the antenna, a directional compass will be very helpful.
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Azimuth
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Elevation
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- Hold the compass
horizontally in your hand in front of you.
- Ensure that you are at an
adequate distance away from any metal object that may give you a false
compass indication. As you hold the compass, allow the compass needle
to stop moving. Once it has stabilized, the arrow or red end of the
compass needle should point toward the North.
- Gently rotate the compass
such that the 0-degree mark on the compass scale sits under the arrow,
or red end of the needle, pointing toward the North
.
- Since 0 degrees on the
compass denotes North you can now locate the compass azimuth bearing
on the compass scale. You will probably note that the direction of the
satellite, as indicated on the angle calculation or data sheet, is
somewhat towards the South. That direction is the physical direction that
the dish will have to be pointed.
- Once you have oriented
yourself in that direction, consider the elevation angle. Now, make a
judgment based on the elevation angle of where you live. Keep in mind
that 45 degrees is halfway between 0 degrees and the horizon while 90
degrees is straight up. If while looking in that direction, given both
the compass azimuth and elevation for your location, you do not see
any obstacles, that location should be adequate for the placement and
installation of your dish-antenna.
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Dish Aiming
Procedure
- With the dish facing South
and an unobstructed view of the sky, place the provided compass on the
ground 10' to 20' behind the dish to avoid magnetic interference. Turn
the compass until the compass needle aligns exactly with magnetic
North (or make sure the color needle points north at 0 degrees). Use a
straight object such as a stick or rod between the compass and the
dish to match the Azimuth angle of your location. Move the whole dish
to face the same direction as the stick or rod.
- Set your basic elevation
angle. Refer to the elevation scale located on the elevation plate at
the back of your dish. To set the correct elevation angle, loosen the
bolts that connects the elevation plate to the triangle base just
enough so that the reflector can move up or down without binding.
Carefully set the elevation to the angle value of your area.
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Dish Alignment &
LNBF Mount
 Before the actual dish alignment
can be done, it is necessary to connect a coax cable between the LNBF,
attached to the dish and your receiver. Both connections use the standard
coaxial F-connector. Now your dish will be in position to lock in on the
satellite signal. You will need to have your receiver connected to your
television.
It is recommended that
you place your satellite receiver and television set close to the dish
during the dish alignment procedure. If that is not possible due to where
the dish is located, a second person may be helpful to relay information
seen on the screen of the TV when the dish is being aligned. Do not turn
the power on until all the cable connections have been made. There are two
options when connecting the receiver to your television or monitor. The
receiver has both audio/video outputs as well as a regular coax output on
either channel 3 or 4. Attach the appropriate cables according to the
system you have. If you use the standard coax, channel 3 or 4 output,
ensure that you select the channel, 3 or 4, that is not used in your area
for local off-air broadcast television. Your television would have to be
set to the channel you selected, 3 or 4, in order for you to receive the
programming. If the audio/video outputs are used, your television typically
would need to be switched to the "video" input mode.
Now turn on your
receiver and television. Use the on screen menu to locate the signal
strength meter on your television. If you are using the Coship receiver the
signal meter are located both in front of the receiver as well as on
screen.
Ask a helper to watch
the signal strength screen for indications you are receiving the signal.
Stand behind the dish, and holding its outer edges, slowly turn it a little
to the left or right about 3 or 4 mm at a time to adjust the azimuth. Pause
4 or 5 seconds, giving the receiver enough time to lock in on the satellite
signal. Continue turning the dish in this way until you have acquired the
signal then adjust the elevation for maximum signal quality. Note: The Signal
Strength reading does not need to be "100." Lock in on the
highest possible signal.
Azimuth & Elevation
Calculator
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