Installing your new DirecTV system - the easy way
Before you start, take a moment to read the safety precautions in the installation guide that came with your new DirecTV system. This page is not intended to take the place of the manufacturer's instructions. It only outlines a method to get your new system up and running with a minimum amount of frustration. These instructions are for locating the DirecTV satellite located at 101 degrees ONLY.
1) The site survey is
the most important part of installing a new DirecTV system antenna. In the
Lansing/Grand Rapids area your antenna has to
have an unobstructed view of the sky at 206 degrees azimuth (a compass reading) and a
37½° elevation (a little less than half-way between straight-up and the horizon). Your
satellite receiver has a facility for finding the settings in your area. Make sure it can
"see" the sky without any tree limbs or other obstructions in the way.
To make sure, stand outside and look in the direction indicated. If you don't see any
trees or other objects taller than the elevation required, you can mount your antenna just
about anywhere you can see the sky in that direction.
Do you know which way due south is? If you're sure, continue. Otherwise, obtain a compass. Print this page and take the piece of paper outside, hold it so south on the paper compass lines up with south. The line points to 206°. You can draw a new line for your location. That is the direction your antenna has to point towards
Now, think about the elevation. The satellite antenna points at a 37½° angle (in this part of the world). To visualize this, use your arm to point to a 45° angle (halfway between straight up and the horizon), then bring your arm down a little bit (8°). If you can point to the sky and wave your arm around a little bit, without pointing at a tree, building or other obstruction, you’ve found a great place to mount your new antenna (assuming you’re also pointing to the correct
azimuth.)
Be careful of overhanging
obstructions. Many installations have been ruined by tree limbs and house overhangs that
don't appear to be a problem until later. A good rule of thumb: Keep the top of the
satellite antenna twice as far below the overhang as the overhang is wide. In other
words, if you have a 3 foot overhang, keep the top of the antenna 6 feet below the
overhang. Don't mount your antenna under a roof overhang unless you have a gutter or
eves trough directing rainwater away from the antenna.
2) Installing the antenna:
Refer to the instruction manual that came with your new DirecTV system antenna for assembly instructions.
If you are not sure of the proper location for your new DirecTV system, temporarily secure the mast to a location where you think the antenna will work.
Be sure to level the mast vertically. (This is an important step.)
Set the degrees on the side of the dish to your elevation, as shown to the right.
3) Connect the antenna to the receiver
DO NOT PLUG YOUR RECEIVER INTO THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET UNTIL ALL WIRES ARE CONNECTED.
Temporarily run the RG-6 coax wire from the satellite antenna through a window to your DirecTV receiver. Connect the RG-6 coax wire to the port labeled "In From Satellite" on the back of the DirecTV system receiver, then run a temporary coax wire from the antenna (VHF/UHF) Out port on the receiver to your TV's antenna In port. Set the 3/4 switch on the DirecTV system to 3 and set your TV on channel 3. Now, plug the receiver into the electrical outlet.
Press "Menu," and find the signal meter. Now go back outside, and while someone stays in front of the TV to relay information, slowly... and patiently... turn the antenna from due south towards your compass heading. As soon as you get a signal, STOP. You should be able to get a signal in the high 70's or low 80's.
Tighten the bolts, then stand behind the antenna and gently pull on all four corners of the dish back towards you, one at a time. If you have achieved the highest signal available, the signal strength will decrease whichever way you pull the dish. If the signal strength goes up when you pull it in a specific direction, the antenna needs to be slightly adjusted in that direction! Once you’re satisfied you’ve got the best signal you can get, tighten the bolts again.
The manuals that came with your system give detailed instructions on making the installation permanent.
4) Call your programming provider so you can get your channels
.
