If you have a Dish, AT&T, or cable line device and want to have satellite dish service at home, you don't need to call a professional installation service. Even if you don't have much construction experience, you can install a satellite dish yourself. After finding the proper mounting location, install the antenna in that place. Look for a signal by pointing the antenna at the sky. With proper cabling, you can transfer signals to your channel receiver and television.
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Method 1 of 4: Installing the Wall Mount
Step 1. Choose a flat area around your house
Find a flat area that is easily accessible so that it is easier for you to clean or adjust the position of the dish later. If there is space, the safest place to put the satellite dish is on the ground. It should have enough space for the dish to be pointed north or south, depending on where you live. Also, make sure the satellite dish is protected from exposure to water or ice, whether it's falling from the roof or from a nearby tree.
- Keep in mind the position of the TV in your home. Find a place close to the TV to make the wiring process easier.
- If you are installing the satellite dish in the ground, you will need to dig a trench to securely connect the cables to the house.
Step 2. Check for obstructions blocking the parabolic view of the sky
Stand in the area where you want to install the satellite dish. Look up at the sky. If there are buildings, trees, or even clotheslines getting in the way, look elsewhere. This obstruction will block the signal received by the satellite dish, thus affecting the quality of the image you get.
- One of the best ways to install a satellite dish is to place a metal support post in the ground and secure it with cement, then install the dish on top. This pole will make the parabola position higher without needing to be installed on the roof of the house.
- Satellite dish installation services will almost certainly install the object on the roof so that nothing is obstructed. You may also need to do this if you can't find anywhere else.
- If you are in the northern hemisphere, the dish needs to be pointed south to receive the signal. If you are in the southern hemisphere, the dish needs to be pointed north. Keep this in mind when observing obstructions around the parabola.
Step 3. Hold the satellite dish and mark the position of the screws
The parabolic mount is an L-shaped rod equipped with a mounting plate for mounting on the housing. Position the mounting plate flat on the wall or roof in the location you have chosen. Note the row of bolt holes on the plate. After that, use a permanent marker to mark the position of the holes on the roof.
If you're connecting a satellite dish to the side of the house, make sure that the hole aligns with a support post in a wall or other sturdy structure. Don't try to attach it to a board as it won't be sturdy
Step 4. Calculate the size of the first hole needed to secure the stand
The size and depth of the hole depends on the satellite dish being installed. So, use the components that came with the satellite dish as a guide. In general, you will need to make 4 holes 1.3 cm in diameter. Each hole needs to be approximately 6.5 cm deep, but this also varies greatly with each installation.
- Check the metal frame included in the dish for the numbers listed there. The figure shows information about the width of the hole.
- To find the required hole depth in your installation, add about 0.5 cm to the length of the frame you are inserting into the holes.
Step 5. Make guide holes using a drill of the same size as the mounting bolts
Use a drill drill to penetrate rock and other hard structures without damaging the drill. The drill bit must make the right hole to attach the bolt. Punch a hole in the pre-marked area once you're ready. Make sure the holes made are straight so that the mounting bolts can be installed perfectly.
- If the holes are too big, the bolts will fall off. If it's too small, the bolt won't fit.
- Better to be careful when drilling holes. It is easier to widen a hole that is too small.
Step 6. Attach the metal mount joints to the drilled holes
The satellite dish is usually sold with a set of metal joints that serve as wall anchors. One end of the connection is equipped with a bolt hole. Turn the joint so that the opening is facing you instead of the wall. You will need these openings to secure the satellite dish mount.
The two ends of each joint will look like a split tail. When screwing the bolt in place, the tail will open making it difficult to remove the joint
Step 7. Secure the frame joints to the wall with a hammer and chisel
Position the tip of the chisel on one of the bolts. Hit the chisel handle firmly several times to push the bolt into the wall. Keep hammering until the bolt is flush with the wall. After that, repeat this step on the other bolts.
Make sure the bolts are flush with the wall or the dish mount will not fit properly
Step 8. Attach the metal joint and hammer it into the wall
Parabolas usually include a set of joints that serve as wall anchors. Position this object so that the exposed part is pointing out of the wall. The opening is where the bolts are attached to secure the mount to the wall. After inserting the metal joint into the hole, hit the object with a hammer and chisel.
Make sure the joint is firmly attached to the wall. This is the anchor that attaches the satellite dish to the wall or ceiling. If it's loose, your satellite dish could fall off
Step 9. Attach the satellite dish mount to the connection on the wall with bolts
Position the stand back against the wall while aligning the holes in the plate with the holes made. Look for the bolts included in the satellite dish sales package. Generally these are 1.3 cm threaded bolts. Tighten the bolts with a manual screwdriver. Make sure the stand is firmly attached to the wall before you proceed with the process.
If the stand wobbles to the touch, try to tighten the bolts a little harder. If you are sure you have installed it correctly, remove it again and check the connections again
Step 10. Cover the bolt head with a metal disc and lock nut
These components will prevent the bolts from coming out of the wall. Insert the metal disc first, i.e. the flat metal disc to make sure the nut is working properly. After that, screw in the nut and turn it clockwise with a wrench until it feels tight and no longer moves.
Be careful not to tighten the nut too tightly. Stop turning when the nut feels difficult to move. As long as it's not loose, the holder will stay firmly in place
Method 2 of 4: Assembling the Parabola
Step 1. Attach the antenna "bracket" to the low noise block (LNB) arm
Your dish will most likely include a flat metal plate to attach the dish to the L-shaped LNB arm and other components. Position the plate so that the protrusions point to the right and left, and are facing you. Hold the LNB arm between the ridges with the tail end extending in the opposite direction. Install a 1.3 cm threaded bolt through the sleeve and into the plate, then turn it clockwise with a wrench until tight.
- Remember to attach a metal plate and lock nut to the end of the bolt to make sure it doesn't come loose.
- The complete installation process, including the size of the bolts used, may vary based on the disc you have. Read the user manual for more specific instructions.
Step 2. Clamp the antenna adjustment panel over the plate protrusion
This panel looks like a square with one end exposed. The sides of the panel can be inserted into the protrusions of the plate and secured with 1.3 cm threaded bolts. Add a metal plate and nut to the end of each tightened bolt.
The adjustment panel has notched slots. This slot is used to adjust the direction of the parabola up or down
Step 3. Insert the U-shaped rod into the adjustment panel
Your satellite dish has a curved metal rod that can fit into one of the slots in the adjustment panel. Tuck the rod in and insert the two protrusions into the hole. Make sure the bulge is pointing towards you instead of the tail end of the LNB rod you connected earlier. Insert small clamps on top, then cover with metal plates and nuts on each protrusion.
- The clamps are small pieces of metal used to hold the U-shaped rod in place.
- The adjustment panel has 3 different slots. Use the slot to change the position of the satellite dish. Usually, the center slot is the best for positioning the satellite dish.
Step 4. Attach the antenna "bracket" with screws to the back of the dish
You have a few more bolts to attach to the satellite dish that is being assembled and this part is one of the easiest to install. Align the holes in the plate with the holes in the back of the dish. Attach the longest bolt available, usually about 5 to 8 cm in length, to the front of the dish. After that attach the metal plate and nut on both ends of the bolt, then tighten it with a wrench.
Make sure all these components are firmly attached with bolts. If it feels wobbly, carefully remove the part again and tighten the bolts
Step 5. Attach the LNB to the end of the LNB arm
One final component, the LNB, controls the satellite dish functions. First, insert the LNB handle into the open end of the arm. Secure with nuts and bolts, then remove the LNB from its case. This thing looks like a circular speaker or flashlight. Position the LNB on the handle, facing the dish before installing the bolts to secure it.
- Some modern satellite dishes have 3 LNBs designed to pick up a stronger satellite signal to your home.
- You may need to loosen the LNB at a later date to change its position to improve signal quality.
Step 6. Connect the adjusting panel on the satellite dish to the wall mount
Align the satellite dish with the opening in the support. If everything is installed correctly, the satellite dish will fit snugly into or behind the adjustment panel. After that, you can attach the remaining 1 or 2 bolts to secure the assembly. When the satellite dish appears intact, you are ready to position it to capture the satellite signal.
- These parts can be installed in various ways depending on the model of your satellite dish. So, make sure you read the user manual.
- If the mount must be attached to the back panel, satellite dish sales packages usually also include several clamps. Position the tool behind the stand, then add additional screws to secure it.
Method 3 of 4: Pointing the Satellite dish to the Satellite
Step 1. Select the satellite you want to connect to
Choose a satellite that is within range of your dish. There are many satellites in the sky, but the satellite dish cannot pick up signals from all of them. If you buy a satellite dish from a pay television service provider, for example, you will have a hard time picking up signals from its competitors. Look for the list of available satellites via
- To distinguish individual satellites, pay attention to the names and coordinates listed. Tracking websites provide a list of names which usually includes the identity of the owner's company or the services provided.
- If you purchase satellite service, you may be able to receive satellite signals outside of that service. Since you usually need to replace several parts, it is easier to buy a new satellite.
- Choose the satellite closest to your area. If you subscribe to a pay TV service, you need to use the company's satellite. Large service providers usually have multiple satellites.
Step 2. Locate the satellite before setting the dish position
You need to position the satellite dish in the right direction, then make it face the sky. This is not easy if you do not know the position of the satellite. Luckily, satellites don't move very often so you can use satellite position data to adjust the direction of the dish. Use a website like
- Type in your address and select the satellite you want to connect to. The website will provide accurate instructions on how to position the satellite dish to receive signals from the satellite of your choice.
- You cannot receive signals from satellites that are too far away. For example, don't expect to connect to Chinese satellites if you're in North America.
Step 3. Use the azimuth number to rotate the satellite
Prepare a compass and find an accurate north direction first. After that, pay attention to the azimuth number and look for that number on the compass. North is considered 0 degrees, east is 90 degrees, south is 180 degrees, and west is 270 degrees. Rotate the satellite dish horizontally until it is facing the right direction.
For example, if you need to point your satellite dish to a 225-degree angle, find north first. After that, rotate the satellite towards the south from there
Step 4. Move the satellite dish vertically to adjust its height
After knowing the height required to reach the satellite, stand behind the satellite dish. Check the end of the stand that is connected to the satellite dish. You will see the bolts in the slots labeled with degrees, usually from 10 to 60. Loosen the bolts by turning them counterclockwise, then adjust the height of the dish as needed.
- Adjusting the height of the satellite dish is usually quite easy because the slots are already labeled. Moving the bolt in the slot will raise or lower the parabola's position.
- For example, if the parabola were to be raised 53 degrees, the object would be facing the sky almost straight. Slide the loosened bolt back to the 60 degree mark.
Step 5. Adjust the polarization of the dish until it gets a clean signal
The last part that needs to be adjusted is the LNB, the thing that serves to receive and transmit signals from your home. This object is usually the arm at the front of the parabola that is facing inward. Check the signal quality by connecting the satellite dish to the receiver and television, then loosen the nut on the arm by turning it counterclockwise with a wrench. Move the arm in increments of about 1.3 cm at a time until the signal quality is perfect.
- This part will be easier if you can place the TV near the satellite dish. If the TV is far enough away, you will need to ask someone else to stand near the TV for feedback.
- You may need to wait to adjust the LNB's position until you have finished installing the cables. Complete the process before moving on to something else, if you can, so you don't have to climb the roof again to make adjustments.
- The LNB can sometimes be controlled by turning the rear mount to the left or right.
Method 4 of 4: Connecting Parabolic Cables
Step 1. Make a hole with a diameter of 1.3 cm with a drill in the roof if needed
Check the condition of the house first to look for traces of previous wiring. The satellite dish must have its own slot to enter the house and connect to the TV. If your house is not under construction, drilling a small hole with a drill is the easiest option. Position the TV and dish receiver close together to prepare for a connection.
If you are installing your satellite dish in the ground, dig a trench to bury the wires so they don't get damaged. The cable should be deep enough not to freeze in cold weather, which is about 8 cm
Step 2. Run the coaxial cable from the LNB to the signal receiver
Purchase a standard RG6 coaxial cable and look for a slot in the LNB. Plug in the cable, then insert the other end into the “Sat in” port on the receiver. Make sure the device is positioned near the satellite dish so that the cable can reach it.
- You can buy cable at an online store, materials store, or electronics store. Pay TV service providers will also provide this cable if you buy their satellite dish.
- Coaxial cable is sometimes connected to the back of the satellite dish. However, usually this cable remains attached directly to the LNB.
Step 3. Connect the HDMI cable to your signal receiver and TV
Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the back of the signal receiver, then connect the other end to the TV. Most modern TVs are equipped with multiple HDMI slots. So, choose the slot you want. Once the cable is plugged in, the TV can receive a signal from the satellite. Turn on the TV to see the results.
- Some types of satellite dishes and receivers are not connected in this way. The signal receiver may be connected directly to the TV.
- Refer to the cable management guide for specific instructions on connecting the satellite, receiver, and TV. If you purchased a satellite dish from a pay-TV service provider, they will also provide a cable installation guide.
Step 4. Turn on the TV to test the signal
Press the satellite button on the TV remote if there is one or enter the settings menu. You should get the picture right away. If the signal quality is poor, make sure you've positioned the satellite dish in the right direction. Adjust its position to get the best possible signal!
You can check the settings menu to find out the direction of the satellite dish. Record the azimuth, altitude, and LNB numbers and compare them to the satellite positions
Tips
- Ask the television service provider to do the installation. Most service providers offer free installation as long as you purchase a subscription to their service.
- Find a place to hide the cables in your home. If the satellite dish is exposed, place furniture or other decorations in front of it.
- All satellite dish receivers require a separate coaxial cable. You can't split the cable so you'll need a way to connect the cable to the additional TV you want to use.
- If you are running coaxial cable in the ground outdoors, consider installing a grounding block and wire to protect the cable from static electricity.
