Do-it-yourself installation of a satellite dish: detailed instructions for installing and setting up a satellite dish

Vasily Borutsky
Checked by a specialist: Vasily Borutsky
Author: Victor Kitaev
Last update: September 2024

Satellite dishes in recent years have somewhat lost their relevance to society. The reason is the appearance on the market of digital TV set-top boxes. Nevertheless, this equipment remains in demand, and especially if the population lives outside the urban zone.

It is not a problem to purchase equipment, but installing a satellite dish may well become a serious task with an independent approach to installation. However, the task can be greatly facilitated if you have basic knowledge. We will talk about how the installation is performed using the example of the popular Tricolor system.

Potential Master Concepts

Even if you deal with a traditional television antenna, and in such cases, installation requires at least minimal knowledge and skills. Satellite equipment is much more complicated in comparison with conventional TV reception.

If for conventional equipment there are two main concepts - cable and plug, a system where reception from the satellite is carried out has a number of technical concepts:

  1. TV satellite.
  2. Satellite Antenna
  3. Converter
  4. Multi-feed holder.
  5. Bracket.
  6. Receiver.

Let us consider in more detail each of the constituent elements of satellite equipment.

Tv satellite - The source of the signal to be received by the antenna. Accordingly, in order to receive a constant signal, a constant direction of the antenna to the satellite is necessary.

Tv satellite
The device in the geostationary orbit of the Earth, in fact, is a standard space satellite, but the main functionality of such a device is broadcasting a television signal

There are various satellites and different antenna designs, however, the tuning principle is almost the same for everyone.

For this technology of television reception, a satellite dish is used, which is a disk "plate" of different diameters, equipped with a conversion device - converter.

Satellite antenna
Part of the equipment is an antenna, which provides reliable reception of a television receiver signal from a satellite. Given the frequency of the transmitted signal, the antenna looks a little different than the design of traditional reception

This is a module of small geometric dimensions, usually cylindrical in shape, attached directly to the "front" of the satellite dish.

The disk antenna has a special design, which allows not only to receive a television signal, but also to concentrate and direct it to one point - namely to the converter. It, in fact, is the primary signal amplifier, from which the signal is sent via cable to the receiver.

Antenna converter
One of the constituent components of the satellite "dish", which must be given special attention during installation, providing a high degree of tightness of the structure

To fix the module, a special rod holder is used. Device called Multi-feed holder - This is the same holder bar, only slightly modified. Allows you to place multiple converters to work with different satellites.

An arm is, in fact, a mechanical structure that is assembled from component parts and fixed at the proposed installation site of the satellite dish. As a rule, such a place is the wall of the building, less often the roof rafter system.

Multi feed antenna
The so-called "multi-feed" - in simple words - an extended bar. This is the holder of several converters at once, designed to receive signals from different satellites

The electronic module for processing the received television signal, followed by the output of information on the screen of the television receiver, was called receiver.

There are various receiver designs depending on the manufacturer. However, a particular manufacturer, as a rule, completes the equipment taking into account the correspondence of the antenna and the apparatus.

Antenna bracket
The design of the bracket involves more than just conventional fixed mounting. The mechanical part has a simple but quite effective system of vertical and horizontal shift

Therefore, any receiver (receiver) to coordinate with any non-native antenna is quite problematic. This point should be taken into account before installing it in the house with your own hands. satellite dish setup under the modern TV.

Television receiver
The receiving module is a “receiver” of a signal that does not need to be installed like a satellite dish, but requires some settings from the end user

Choosing the right place for equipment

First of all, you should choose the optimal location of the satellite dish. What should be understood by the term "optimal"? Of course, a completely free area in the direction of the transmitting satellite.

That is, in a given direction excludes the presence of any objects like:

  • buildings
  • trees;
  • advertising posters, etc.

It is also recommended to ensure the closest possible proximity of the rest of the equipment (receiver, TV) to the mounting point of the satellite dish. These are not critical requirements, but meeting these requirements will help simplify hardware setup.

Antenna Tuning Circuit
Tuning antenna circuit: 1 - direction "north"; 2 - direction "south"; 3 - azimuthal direction; 4, 7 - angle at the installation location relative to the location of the satellite; 5 - television satellite; 6 - satellite signal

Traditionally, "plates" are placed on the wall of the building next to the window opening or installation is done on the side of the wall, which is part of the balcony (loggia) structure.

The instruction prohibits installation directly inside the balcony area, especially glazed.Equipment should also be installed at points where there is no possible rainfall in the form of snow and ice from the roof.

Step-by-step plate mounting instructions

First, it is necessary to complete the assembly of the satellite antenna structure as described in the attached instructions. As a rule, antennas are delivered unassembled. Therefore, the structure should be assembled using the supplied accessories.

Next, consider the step-by-step installation of a satellite dish.

Step # 1 - Antenna Bracket Mount

Again, given the work with a branded product, where all the installation elements and components are designed for the appropriate load, work is underway to install anchor bolts in the wall of the building.

Rod and Bracket
One of the options for antenna brackets that are used for reliable, sturdy installation of a satellite “dish”. Initially, a support pipe is attached to the wall, and the antenna bracket is fixed directly to the pipe

This work is done in a standard way, using a tool for working with concrete. After the introduction of the anchors, a support rod is mounted on the installed anchors, and a metal bracket is mounted on the rod.

Step # 2 - installing the antenna converter

Installation of the signal pre-amplifier - converter is carried out strictly according to the instructions, where all the subtleties of the placement of this component are noted.

Converter Mounting
The converter itself should be fixed in the support ring so that the instrument is impeccably sealed. Even a small penetration of moisture inside threatens to disrupt the device

Step # 3 - connecting the cable to the converter

At the current stage, the cable, which is usually also included, is connected to the converter module. The connection is carried out using the supplied special connector “F”.

Installed Converter
An example of a well-connected cable on the converter side. The successfully completed sealing of the connection area is clearly visible, which will ensure stable operation of the amplifier for a long period of time

The connection area must be carefully sealed, for example with silicone sealant. The cable from the point of inclusion neatly and effortlessly stretches along the body of the converter holder bar. It is fixed at regular intervals with plastic ties or in another way.

Step # 4 - securing a satellite dish

The prepared “plate” is installed on the bracket, while the adjusting screws do not tighten all the way - they are left loosened.

This approach is necessary for the simple reason that further (after installation) the procedure for fine tuning to the satellite will follow. Accordingly, the "plate" will have to be moved both vertically and horizontally.

Installed Satellite Dish
An installed, fully customized do-it-yourself “dish”, ready to reward its master with a high-quality television picture received from a satellite

Separately, it is worthwhile to instruct on the installation of the F-connector on the coaxial cable. This operation has its own characteristics. The final area of ​​the cable (approximately 15 mm long) must be freed from the first insulating layer.

But you need to remove the insulation taking into account the integrity of the screen braid present under the insulation layer. Then a second layer of insulation is removed over a length of about 10 mm. So the central copper core is freed. Next, a connector is screwed onto the stripped end-stop, passing the copper conductor into the corresponding hole.

How to configure the installed antenna?

Typically, the installation instructions of the "plate" contains a table where the information on the azimuth and angle is indicated - tuning parameters in the direction. Parameters are indicated, as a rule, for the area where large settlements are located.

You should select the nearby territory from the list and take the angle and azimuth parameters for the setting.Then, according to these parameters, set the antenna mirror, moving the "plate" in the vertical and horizontal planes.

This will be a “rough” setting. After which the antenna cable is connected to the receiver, and the receiver, respectively (also through the connecting cable) to the television receiver. Then it remains only to adjust the parameters of the angle and azimuth, achieving the highest quality picture on the TV screen.

Antenna Tuning Table
Adjustment table based on the location of large settlements, which indicates the preferred angle and azimuth parameter for the direction of the antenna

Any receiver by default has a service for monitoring the level of the received signal. Using this functionality, it is possible to fine-tune the equipment. However, weather conditions can make adjustments. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out tuning activities under the conditions of a clear cloudless sky.

Having achieved the appearance of a stable, sufficiently strong control signal on the TV screen, the nuts for fastening the mirror on the bracket are screwed to the stop. Equipment on this is considered installed and configured.

Next, they will proceed to normal user viewing using access cards or through free available channels. how tune tuner, select channels and open access - all this is in the user manual.

If a plate is installed in the country for regular viewing of television programs, the signal received by the antenna most often requires improvement due to the considerable remoteness of the repeater. In this situation will help antenna amplifier, whose selection rules will be introduced by our recommended article.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The video material is shown below, where the home master explains firsthand the details of the installation of the “plate”.

Accordingly, the whole process is filmed on a video camera, so the reader is clearly shown how to do the installation of a satellite dish with their own hands:

Despite the visible and invisible difficulties that appear in the process of installing a satellite “dish”, it is quite possible to do this job with your own hands. The main point is the meticulous collection, processing of relevant information and, of course, a careful study of the accompanying instructions.

Want to talk about how to install and configure a satellite dish with your own hands? Do you have information on the topic of the article, which is worth sharing with visitors to the site? Please write comments in the block below, ask questions, post photographs.

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Visitors Comments
  1. Dmitry

    My parents live in the countryside. Since a stationary antenna catches 4-5 channels, we decided to purchase a satellite. Still, I want to keep abreast of all important events. Installation was carried out independently, the set included detailed configuration instructions. Do not just forget that such work is associated with height and electricity, and this poses a certain danger to life. If you have concerns, it is better to call the installers from the company where you purchased the equipment.

  2. Denis

    He put such a “plate” in the country. Most of all I carried with a signal amplifier (converter).After all, it’s not just necessary to fix the converter, but also to configure it. Why, then, a plate? It reflects the signal caught from space to the converter, and that one already transfers it via cable to the house, to the TV. If the converter is not ideally located in the center of the reflected beam, then the TV signal will be worse and weaker. So it is necessary to move it back and forth, catching that very central location. There is a longitudinal hole on the protruding pipe. Loosen the bolt with the nut that secures the converter and move its holder along this hole, thereby adjusting the location of the converter relative to the plate itself. We are guided by the signal strength on the receiver. It showed the maximum signal, which means that everything, stop, caught the optimal location. We tighten the bolt with the nut to the end and exhale)) Maybe something written will come in handy for someone.

    • Expert
      Vasily Borutsky
      Expert

      The whole point is in azimuth - this is the angle at which the mirror of the antenna itself receives the signal from the satellites. And from the mirror of the antenna, the signal is reflected on the converter. To quickly select the azimuth to the desired satellites, I recommend using the application for smartphones Satellite Antenna Alignment. With it, you can quickly tune the antenna to receive a signal from satellites.

      It is simple to do this: turn on the GPS, the application starts the camera and shows the direction (azimuth) in which there will be the best reception from satellites. I hope that this information will help not only you, but also other people who are faced with the problem of tuning the satellite dish.

      Attached photos:
  3. I installed satellite dishes for myself and my friends. From my own experience I know that the most difficult moment is to correctly orient it to the desired satellite. Professional tuners use devices such as SatFinder, which determines the level of the received television signal. If you configure it yourself, it’s best to use some kind of portable TV with a small screen size, which can be installed directly next to the “plate” and then “catch” the desired satellite (as shown in the video). The most important thing is that first you need to correctly set the azimuth and elevation to the desired satellite, and there it will go.

  4. Vladimir

    I watched a bunch of videos before installing them in the house. Need one helper and all. It’s nothing difficult to assemble, but with setting the angle, here we were probably tormented for about 30 minutes until we caught a steady signal. There are literally a few mm to the side and not that.

    It’s easier to install in your home. At first I stood in a city apartment, there I had to put it on the opposite side of the house with the help of a tower and call a professional tuner.

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