If you have a professional install a satellite dish, he will bring a special piece of equipment that will allow him quickly to find the satellite and get the dish running in no time. However, with a little bit of trial and error, you too can quickly find the proper elevation for the dish, without spending any extra money.
Instructions
1. Install your satellite dish according to the manufacturer's specifications. Keep in mind that the dish will need to have a clear line of sight to the southern sky; no trees or buildings can be in the way.
2. Orient your dish in the proper general direction. In North America, you need to point it roughly south--a bit to the southwest if you live on the east coast, and a bit to the southeast if you live on the west coast.
3. Send an assistant up to the satellite dish with a wrench. Two bolts hold the dish in place; one determines the elevation and one holds it from side to side. Loosen both of these.
4. Enter the setup menu of your satellite box via the remote. Enter the "signal strength" screen. Have your assistant twist the dish slowly until you start to pick up a signal. You want to attain a signal strength of over 80, but anything over 70 is workable.
5. Have your assistant re-tighten the bolts while keeping an eye on the signal strength, in case you move the dish slightly out of place. Keep in mind that a variance 1 or 2 inches in any direction might lose the signal.
Tags: satellite dish, signal strength, dish will, Have your, Have your assistant, Keep mind
