Self-installation and configuration of a satellite dish

Correct setting of the satellite dish has a key impact on the quality of satellite signal reception. Many people are afraid to install a satellite dish themselves, but after reading this guide, this procedure will no longer seem so difficult.

Let's figure out how to position the satellite dish and connect it yourself.

Materials and tools needed to install a satellite dish

You will need:

1. Satellite dish with signal converter.
2. Antenna mast or wall bracket (sold separately), depending on technical capabilities and installation location.
3. External antenna cable designed for satellite installation (with a resistance of 75 Ohms). To assemble a Full HD set-top box with a recording device, you will need two cables. If you install a multiroom system, a correspondingly longer coaxial cable will be required.
4. Type "F" connectors corresponding to the diameter of the coaxial cable, keys and tools necessary to attach the mast.
5. Compass, protractor, ruler or corresponding application on your smartphone.
6. Cable ties or glue, electrical tape, dowels, connectors for lightning protection . If it is not possible to make a hole in a window or wall for laying the cable, use a special flat cable with “F” type connectors.

Set of equipment for satellite TV

Installing a satellite dish and laying cables

In stores that sell equipment for satellite TV and satellite dishes, you can buy various types of antenna holders that are attached with brackets to the wall or antenna mast.

1. Select the bracket that suits your installation location.
2. Attach it as firmly as possible to a rigid base.

   
   Installing a satellite dish using brackets

3. Buy a quality cable of suitable length. It is best to take a section with a margin of at least 3 meters (a cable longer than 30 meters requires a signal amplifier), which will connect the antenna kit to the HD decoder.

   
   Satellite cable

4. Route and secure the cable so that there is no risk of tripping over it or accidentally damaging it (avoid sharp bends).
5. Cut the cable after installing it. .
6. If the converter is equipped with a water guard, place it over the cable before inserting (draw-out converters do not require a guard).
7. F-type connectors should be screwed tightly to the coaxial cable, using wire cutters if necessary (it is better to use a special wrench). It is important to carefully prepare the cable and ensure that the metal braid of the coaxial cable does not touch the center wire.

Important: in houses equipped with a lightning protection system, the mast must be connected to it with a copper cable with a cross-section of 50 mm² or 80 mm², and external wires must be connected to the mast with a cable with a cross-section of 40 mm². But these requirements are not mandatory if the antenna is located less than 2 meters above the roof and closer than 1.5 meters to the wall from the house, that is, on the balcony.

Choosing the right place to install a satellite dish is the first task

Installation instructions: choosing a location, calculating elevation angle, azimuth

Russian satellite TV operators are divided into two categories - southern (which includes NTV-plus and Tricolor TV) and eastern (Telekarta, MTS). In this case, we will give an example of installing a south antenna.

Read more about setting up a satellite signal from MTS in our material.

Map of satellites - you can start from it when setting up the satellite dish for the first time

Correct installation of a satellite dish depends on the correct setting of four parameters:

• azimuth is the angle between north and the desired direction;
• angle of inclination/elevation – angle of orientation of the plate in the vertical plane;
• elevation angle – a horizontal angle corresponding to the rotation of the plate left-right;
• converter rotation - the angle at which the antenna looks in a given direction of the world.

Adjusting the Azimuth Angle Using a Compass

Azimuth for different cities
Tilt adjustment:

If the converter has a scale or you have a protractor, turn the converter to the value in the table above that corresponds to your city.

The azimuth is set with a compass and measured in a clockwise direction. The antenna direction angle (azimuth – 180º) is measured from the south clockwise.

• use mounting bolts to secure the converter in the bracket;
• attach the antenna to the mast and adjust the angle;
• screw the wires to the converter and to the receiver;
• Connect the set-top box to the TV according to the instructions and launch it.

Installation, connection and self-tuning of a satellite dish - video instructions:

You can fine-tune the position of the satellite dish based on the measurement results of the received signal. You don't need a special counter for this. Modern decoders have sufficient functionality to measure the signal received from the satellite.

Calculation of elevation and azimuth when installing a satellite dish

F connector connection

To connect coaxial cables, you need to strip them and put F-connectors on them. There are two ways to do this.

Method 1 – cut off only the outer sheath of the cable with a knife at a distance of 20-25mm. The screen must not be damaged.

Carefully bend all the wires onto the shell.

Now you need to remove the insulation from the central core. It should protrude from the screen by a maximum of 2mm.

After this, screw on the F connector.

Shorten the excess stock of the central core, leaving no more than 5mm from the plane of the connector.

Method 2 is easier. Take the utility knife again. Step back approximately 1cm from the edge of the cable and cut off all the insulation. Including external and internal, up to the central core.

Then, retreating 3mm, cut off only the outer braid.

Make sure that no lint or wires get between the braid and the central core.

There is no need to remove any more insulation or bend anything. Just insert and screw on the f connector from above.

Next, you lay out cables throughout the apartment in all the rooms where you have TVs. You sign them all too.

At the same time, it is much safer to run the cable directly into the device rather than connect it through a satellite TV outlet. This may be associated with either a loss of quality or a complete loss of signal.

The wiring diagram when using a multiswitch may look like this:

Signal setup

Signal quality is critical. When positioning the antenna, you should be guided by the maximum value of the quality parameter, even at the cost of reducing the signal power. If you find an antenna position with maximum signal strength and zero quality, it means the antenna is pointing at another satellite.

In this case, you should continue your search, first of all by changing the direction of the antenna. Once you have found the satellite you want, adjust the LNB settings to get the best quality.

Setting up a satellite dish:

1. After connecting the device, a start screen will appear on the TV screen indicating the signal levels (if not, you can open it by pressing F1 on the keyboard or I on the remote control). Typically these are two parameters: signal strength/power and quality (these parameters are also displayed on the displays of some set-top boxes).

   
   Signal quality

2. The force parameter must have a value greater than zero. For example, this could be 50%, depending on the type of converter and the length of the antenna cable, which confirms the correct connection. The quality parameter for the first time will most likely be at zero, because “hitting” the satellite in the initial settings is unlikely.
3. To fine-tune the signal, you need to manually rotate the antenna 2-3 degrees in the horizontal plane, monitoring the signal level, and then move the converter closer and further away from the antenna, observing the signal quality indicator. After this, you need to tighten the screws securing the antenna to the mast (they need to be screwed in one by one, controlling the signal parameters so that deformations of the antenna fasteners do not change its position). The antennas are attached to the mast with two screws, and after tightening them, additional adjustments to the angle of inclination may be required
4. The process may take some time, so it is better to have two people do this - one turns, the other watches the signal level change. The optimal signal level for normal video playback is from 70%. After this, start an automatic search for TV channels and save the settings. Even if the antenna becomes damaged, you will not need to repeat the procedure again.

An important point: in the factory state, many decoders automatically activate the download procedure after startup. If there is no signal reception from the satellite, the first startup process will stop on the settings screen with the signal measurement results, or it will be preceded by the antenna installation selection screen. If the decoder has already been launched previously (for example, at the seller's office to check its functionality), the startup procedure will stop at the screen already mentioned above with the strength and quality parameters.

Software and programs for PCs and smartphones for setting up satellite television

Satellite Antenna Alignment

Using this free PC program, you can easily and easily calculate the azimuth and elevation angle for installing a satellite dish. The program is very easy to work with.

After launching the program, simply enter the latitude and longitude of your home in the “Coordinates of the antenna installation” section (you can find out by opening Google maps and entering your address). The left side of the screen will display the azimuth angles and locations for all possible satellites. Find the satellite you need and use the obtained coordinates. The program can be downloaded completely free of charge here: https://satellite-antenna-alignment.ru.uptodown.com/windows.

Advantages:

• many settings;
• completely Russian-language;
• works in all parts of the world.

Disadvantages: outdated interface.

SatFinder

A similar free smartphone app is called SatFinder. It allows you to configure a satellite dish using GPS navigation and operates in two modes:

• In camera mode.
• In "sight" mode.

In the first case, the location of the satellites is automatically displayed on the phone screen in the form of a special arc. All you need to do is point the antenna correctly.

In aim mode, the app will guide you using coordinates and arrows that will change as you move the antenna. If it is aimed exactly at the satellite, the arrows in the application will turn green. The application can be installed for free from the Google Play store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.esys.satfinder&hl=ru&gl=US.

SatFinder program interface

Advantages:

• two satellite search modes;
• instant location determination via GPS;
• convenient interface.

Disadvantages: none found.

Dishpointer Pro

A good alternative application for a smartphone. It's not free, but it's considered one of the best satellite dish tuning apps in the world. It can be purchased for Android from the Google Play store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=satellite.finder.comptech&hl=ru&gl=US.

Advantages:

• high-precision satellite identification;
• finding the user even in conditions with a poor GPS signal (using mobile operator data).

Flaws:

• the application is paid;
• menu in English.

Stages of plate installation

If you were interested in the question of how to set up a satellite dish yourself, you may have noticed that there are many assembly diagrams available on the Internet. This is due to differences in equipment configuration, which, in turn, is related to how many satellites the signal will be processed from. If we consider the installation as a whole, it necessarily includes the following stages:

• Stage 1 . Attaching the bracket. If you are dealing with a branded product, then the kit includes a support designed to support the weight of that particular antenna. The anchors are secured according to the standard scheme: select a drill of the required diameter, drill holes, and clean them of dust. Then the anchors are inserted and wedged out, the support rod is attached to them, and the bracket itself is attached to it.
• Stage 2 . Converter installation. An important point: the signal amplifier is fixed in the support ring so that its tightness is maintained. The installation of the device itself is carried out according to the instructions in the attached instructions.

Source ytimg.com

• Stage 3 . A cable is connected to the converter (included in the kit). The cable connected through connector F is carefully pulled along the support (rod) of the converter. Without unnecessary tension, it is fixed at regular intervals with plastic ties. For stable operation, the connection area is protected from moisture (for example, silicone sealant).
• Stage 4 . Installation of a satellite dish. The mirror is mounted on the bracket, but the adjustment screws are left slightly loose. The loose screws will play a role later, during fine tuning to the satellite, when you need to move the antenna in different planes.

Connecting the cable to the F connector mentioned in step 3 requires a more detailed explanation. The fact is that a coaxial cable is used for connection, and it has a rather complex structure.

The central conductor (core) and shield (braid) are hidden under the cable sheath. They are arranged coaxially and separated by a layer of insulating material (sometimes an air gap). The point of preparing the cable is to remove approximately 15 mm of the core from the insulation to connect the F-connector.

Source setafi.com

The operation is performed using a knife and pliers in the following order:

• Clean the top layer of insulation. Underneath there is a screen braid, which must be carefully bent onto the cable without damaging it.
• Below is another screen made of foil. It is cut to about 1 cm.
• The central copper core is stripped of the top enamel, then a connector (F-connector) is put on it, inserted into the hole until it stops.

About installing the antenna from scratch in the following video:

How to set a satellite dish to 75 degrees

Let's consider, as an example, the process of setting up a dish on the ABS 75E satellite.

Initially we need to determine the azimuth (antenna direction):

1. Open Yandex maps, enter the name of the locality in which the installation is taking place. We take the coordinates from there and copy them.

2. Turn on the receiver and enter the coordinates in the “Satellite Guide” tab and click “Calculate”

3. Now we know the azimuth and tilt angle of the antenna. We determine the direction using a compass and fix the plate on the bracket.

Now you need to configure the signal:

1. We turn on the tuner and in the “Installation” section we find the ABS 75E satellite.
2. We return to the antenna and begin to slowly move it up and down until we catch the signal from the ABS 75E. Then we scan the channels.

Installing and configuring satellite antennas on ABS 75E, the language is not Russian, but everything is intuitive:

Once the signal is picked up and the channels are located, you can fasten all the screws and connect the dish to the tuner.

What and how will we watch?

The reference manuals indicate the locations and signal parameters of all stationary broadcast satellites. But in a particular locality, the conditions for their reception may vary significantly. An ordinary hillock, especially in the northern regions, can make a satellite invisible, which actually shines here well.

Therefore, when purchasing an antenna, consult with the seller which satellites are well received, select three (up to 3-4 satellites can be received on one antenna), and write down the parameters of their signals:

• Carrier frequencies of satellite transmitters. For example, for one of the most popular satellites - Sirius - it will be 11.766 GHz; all satellites broadcast in the so-called. Q-band with an average frequency in the region of about 10 GHz. But don’t try to “catch” the satellite’s frequency – it’s not the 20s, or even the 60s.
• Signal polarization planes. At the same frequency, two signals with mutually perpendicularly directed electromagnetic field vectors can be transmitted without mutual interference. The direction of polarization is considered to be the direction of the electric vector. Polarization can be horizontal "H" or vertical "V".
• Data transfer rates. Satellite broadcasting is digital, using SR (Single Root) technology. An example of speed designation: 27,500 SR or simply 27,500. The numbers mean how many frames (packets) per second pass through the communication channel. Just don’t confuse it with a TV frame: here a frame is a package of data organized in a certain way.
• Converter local oscillator frequencies for selected satellites. They lie in the same Q-band, but differ from the carrier by the value of the intermediate frequency that will go to the receiver. For example, with a carrier frequency of 11.766 GHz and a local oscillator frequency of 10,750 kHz (10.750 GHz), the receiver's receiving frequency will be 1016 kHz (1.016 GHz). This is why frequencies are not “caught”, as radio amateurs used to be: the closer we get to the TV, the greater the error in setting the frequency.

Setting up a satellite dish for 3 satellites Amos, Astra, Sirius Hotbird

Installing satellite television from three satellites will allow you to watch many free Russian-language TV channels (more than 90) and a huge number of foreign ones (more than 2 thousand). Standard equipment:

• satellite antenna,
• three Ku-band converters;
• two plastic fastenings for side converters;
• antenna masts or brackets;
• DiSEqС (Disek) - converter switch;
• F-type connectors;
• coaxial cables 75 Ohm.

Astra

Transponders for satellites Astra, Amos, Hot Bird
Use a satellite tuner (receiver), for example Openbox X800. In the tuner menu, open the “Antenna installation” item and independently set the frequency for the Astra satellite, which will become central in our three-satellite connection:

• H – horizontal polarization;
• V – vertical polarization;
• position – 4.80 E;
• frequency – 11.766 GHz;
• symbol rate (S/R) – 27500;
• error correction (FEC) – ¾.

The antenna must be oriented towards the location of the satellite. When doing this, you must ensure that the antenna is pointed at the correct satellite. To check, you must enter the transponders shown in the table and turn on any channel. If no channels appear as a result of scanning, then the antenna is not configured correctly and the setup needs to be done again.

Amos

Setting up the Hotbird and Amos satellite is that you need to find the correct position of the converter relative to the center one. To do this, you must move it horizontally and vertically until you find an acceptable signal level.

• position – 13E;
• frequency – 10.815 GHz;
• symbol rate (S/R) – 30000.

Hotbird

Connect the cable to the converter, then open the tuner menu and set the following parameters:

• position – 4W;
• frequency – 11.139 GHz;
• symbol rate (S/R) – 27500.

Then connect DiSEqC to the appropriate converter and set the port numbers for each satellite in the tuner. For example, in our specific case:

• the first port is the Astra satellite;
• second port – Amos;
• third port – Hot Bird;
• the fourth port is free.

The so-called dragon is a satellite dish tuned to the three popular satellites Amos, Astra and Hotbird

Diseqc connection

If you only have a dashcam, connecting and configuring satellites is carried out in the following sequence.

Remember that any self-respecting store of satellite equipment and similar systems always sells tuners already programmed for certain channels and satellites. Otherwise, competitors will simply drive him out of the market.

At the same time, when purchasing, be sure to ask the seller to write you the Diseqc ports of the switch, since they were set by him during the settings. It is through these ports that you will have to make all cable connections.

When installing, you first connect the cables to the heads, and then run them to the dashik. Just on it, it is advisable to connect everything initially with the “factory” tuner settings.

If you have any satellite in the receiver configured to the first port, then accordingly it should not go to port No. 1. If it is on the second one, then port No. 2 is also used in the switch, etc.

All input ports are always signed. The central single connector is the output to the tuner itself.

Tips and tricks

Choose a location to install the antenna - it should provide a view of the sky in a southern direction. Check to see if any of your neighbors use satellite TV. If yes, then point the antenna in the same direction as him. It should be directed to the Eutelsat 36B satellite and/or Express-AMU1.

It is important that there are no obstacles blocking the signal (wires, trees, buildings) on the path from the antenna installation site to the satellite.

The satellite dish installation procedure will be easier if you:

• take a second person as an assistant.
• The antenna installation location is within walking distance;
• the premises are your property, or you have permission to install an antenna system from the building manager;
• The distance from the antenna to the decoder is small (no more than 30 m) and there are not many obstacles on the way, such as walls or windows.

Satellite TV - at home

Let's say right away: manual adjustment (i.e., orientation to the desired satellite) of a highly directional antenna is a delicate matter. Here it is not theoretical knowledge that decides the matter, but experience, working skills (“muscle memory”) and simply instinct. Therefore, when purchasing a “dish”, at least from Tricolor TV, it is better to immediately order an installation with adjustment. Experienced craftsmen can do this well, so this service is not overly expensive.

However, even if you are not a big fan of doing everything, after a storm or heavy snowfall, the antenna may have to be readjusted. Therefore, the adjustment procedure will be described below. But before adjusting, the antenna and equipment must be selected, purchased and installed.