It isn't common for people to install a DirecTV satellite dish on their own, since free installation is included with the subscription package. Nonetheless, it is possible to install the dish antenna on your own. It isn't just a matter of picking a spot to place the dish, however. You need to find a place to securely mount the dish where it has a clear view of the satellite, and you need to ground it against electrical surges.
Location
Most people know that an unobstructed view of the southern sky is needed for the dish antenna, although the dish must face north for people south of the equator. The exact angle of the dish is also important, which includes both its vertical angle (elevation) and horizontal (azimuth). The DirecTV satellite is positioned over the equator over Mexico, so the dish must point in that direction. For subscribers in the U.S., for example, the elevation usually needs to be turned between 30 and 60 degrees; its closer to 30 degrees for northern states and 60 degrees in the south. The elevation indicator on the dish's support arm adjusts the elevation. The azimuth must be turned to the southwest for eastern states, southeast in the west and pointing south in the central states. There is an on-screen menu through the receiver box that tells you the exact coordinates for your location. Connect the receiver box to the TV set and use the DirecTV remote control to access the menu.
Mounting
If you aren't using a tripod stand for the dish, it needs to be mounted to the side of the building; don't mount it onto the roof. The dish itself usually consists of the reflector and built-in mast, the support arm and the low noise block. The mast can be mounted onto wood, concrete or brick. Drill holes into your surface with an appropriate drill and bit, using the holes in the mast foot as a guide. Mount the dish to brick or cement with the machine screws that the dish should come with. Mounting onto wood requires lag screws. The coaxial cable connects to the low noise block at the end of the support arm, but you won't connect this particular cable to the receiver box.
Grounding
The dish has to be grounded as a safety precaution. Secure a grounding wire under the foot of the mast; this is done with a grounding bolt included with the kit. This wire and the coaxial cable will connect to the installation kit's grounding block. This block must be attached to a grounding rod or another good ground point that is firmly in the ground like a cold water pipe. Use Number 8 aluminum or Number 10 copper wire to connect the block to the ground. The block then connects to the receiver box with second coaxial cable.
Tags: coaxial cable, DirecTV satellite, dish antenna, dish must, included with
