How to Mount Your Satellite Dish and Get the Best Signal

If you've chosen a satellite TV provider overHow to Mount and Adjust the Disho Once you've
your local cable company, one issue you might bechosen the exact spot, attach the mounting plate
having difficulty with is the installation of the dishto your house so that it is flush and level with the
itself. The dish provider company will offer tomounting surface.o Use silicone to fill in any extra
send a service technician out to your house forspace around the drill holes to prevent pests and
the initial installation, but they might charge a fee.the elements from getting inside.o Assemble the
And what if you have problems with receptionantenna/dish and mount it to the plate.o To
afterward and need to make adjustments?determine the best position for the dish, you can
Additionally, if you've chosen to install your satelliteuse a compass in conjunction with the markings
dish yourself, you may have to mount and adjuston the antenna mechanism itself. You can also use
it a few times before you get it 'picture perfect'.an electronic satellite locator to help you fine tune
So, here is some information and tips to help youthe signal reception.o Attaching the cable to the
get the best signal from your satellite dish,antenna/dish and drill a hole to insert the cable
including where to mount and how to adjust thethrough and hook that and the coax cable up to
dish for the best reception.your TV and receiver box.o Note: If you're
Where to Mount the Dishrunning the cable up or down through a wall to
The first step is deciding where to mount thereach the TV, using a cable snake will help you
dish. Because the actual satellite that sends themaneuver it.o Turn on both the TV and digital
signals to your dish antenna resides in space aboutreceiver box and check the current reception
22,300 miles above the equator, you'll need toquality.o If need be, fine-tune the coordinates of
install it where you, yourself can see a clear,the dish position:o Adjust the Elevation (up or
unobstructed view of the southern sky. This isdown) designation of the disho Adjust the
the guideline for selecting the generalized mountingAzimuth (left or right) signal position of the dish
area so you can then further determine exactlyYou may have to go back and forth into the
where to put it.house a few times to check the reception, and it
You should try to avoid mounting your satellitewould be helpful to have someone inside alerting
dish on the roof of your home because not onlyyou to the reception quality, but following these
can that cause possible leaks, but you will alsoguidelines will help you to end up with the best
want to have easy access to it for clearing snow,signal strength.
leaves, etc. from the signal path or repositioningYou can also:
the dish later on. Think back to the old-style,1. Refer to your user manual;
roof-mounted metal 'tree' antennas that were2. Use the remote you were provided with and
used way-back-when, and what an inconveniencefollow the built-in 'set-up' menu options on the TV
it was for someone to have to climb up to thescreen; and/or
top of the house and adjust it - not fun or safe,3. Contact the provider's customer service
especially in bad weather.department for additional questions or assistance.