|
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, mountains,
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.
Dish assemblyClick
here for 75cm (30 inch) dish assembly picture
Dish
Mount Installation
- 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 the pipe
as in Figure 3.
|
Dish Pointing Basic
To receive broadcast signals
for Telstar 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 < WELL ! ! !
>. For example: Telstar 5 is located at
97°W, SatMex is at 116.8°W, and Galaxy 11
is at 91°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.
Azimuth |
Elevation |
- 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 reading. 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.
Dish
Alignment & LNBF Mount
Simply
wire your "Satellite Finder" between your dish and
your receiver, turn on your equipment and adjust your
satellite dish until the meter indicates optimum signal
strength. What used to take 30 minutes or more, now
takes just 30 seconds. Perfect for installing new
dishes, or simply making adjustments to existing dishes
after windstorms, hurricanes, heavy rains or earthquakes!
 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
is located both in front of the receiver as well as
on the 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.
|
|
|
