General Installation Help Required Tools Tools   &  Supplies Drill     RG-6 Cable 7/16" and 5/16" drill bits appropriate for drilling through your exterior surface    F Connectors Phillips screwdriver    Ground Wire Socket set/wrenches - 7/16" open end wrench or adjustable    Ground Block Hammer    Silicon Compass     4 – 6 Lag bolts Angle Finder     DIY Wiring and Installation Manual RCA DIY Installation Kit    Satellite Finder & Signal Meters About Grounding the System Grounding the satellite system to the central building ground helps protect it and other components from lightning damage. Different brands of satellite systems may have special grounding requirements. However, dish installation should comply with local codes and the National Electrical Code (NEC). Refer to your satellite system’s user guides for any other additional grounding information. Grounding the satellite system is something you can probably do yourself. But if you’re not sure, you should contact a qualified electrician. Acceptable central building ground points  • Grounded interior metal cold water pipe within five feet of the point where it enters the building. • Grounded metallic service raceway. • Grounded electrical service equipment enclosure. • Eight-foot grounding rod driven into the ground (only if bonded to the central building ground by #6 or heavier bonding wire). • Other acceptable grounding electrodes that comply with sections 250 and 810 of the National Electrical Code (NEC). ***The United States National Electrical Code specifies that coaxial cable that is exposed to lightning shall be connected to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as possible. Routing and Grounding the Cables Attach the grounding block to the side of your house close to the point you have chosen as the coaxial cable entry point. You may have to use anchors, togglers, or wood screws depending on the surface on which you are mounting the grounding block. Route the coaxial cable and messenger (ground) wire from the bottom of the mast to the grounding block. Make a 3"- 5" drip loop using cable clips at the grounding block. This will prevent water from running into the connection at the grounding block. Place some silicone grease on the connector and connect the coaxial cable to the grounding block. Secure the messenger (ground) wire to the grounding block. Locate the central building ground. Use a grounding wire (#10 copper or #8 aluminum) that will extend from the grounding block to the central building ground. Attach the grounding wire to the grounding block by placing it through the wire hole in the grounding block and tightening the screw. Route the grounding wire from the grounding block to the central building ground, and connect to the central building ground. Dish Pointing Tips To get a signal, a satellite dish must be pointed directly at the satellite, with NO obstructions between the two. This means NO trees and NO buildings. To determine where the satellite you are looking for is located, use our satellite look angle and azimuth calculator. Once you have obtained that information, use a compass to determine the location of the satellite from your property. When you look for obstacles that may be in the path of the signal (according to the look angle and the azimuth of the satellite), take into consideration future tree growth, house remodeling or additions and new construction in your area. The satellite signal WILL NOT PASS through leaves or branches. The satellite signal WILL NOT PASS through glass; don't try to install your dish indoors! Where are the satellites located anyway? The satellites are located 22,000 miles above the equator. In Canada, depending on where you live, the satellites highest above your head will have an elevation angle between 30 and 45 degrees and the most westerly and most easterly satellites will have an elevation angle between 15 and 10 degrees (vice-versa if you live on the West coast). Site survey for fixed dishes The small and fixed dishes we use today only point to a single satellite, so chances are that there is at least one location around your house where you will be able to install such a system. Go outside and locate at least one site on your property that has a clear view to: The South West for Canadians on the East coast, The South East for Canadians on the West coast. For a more exact site survey, use a compass in conjunction with the values obtained by our satellite look angle and azimuth calculator. Then, by being reasonably certain you are pointing toward the right direction: Imagine you're pointing at the satellite, located 35 to 20 degrees above the horizon. Do you have at least one clear view to that direction? Remember, no trees, leaves, buildings, or windows can be between the dish and the satellite. If the answer is NO, your site may be unsuitable for installing an 18" or 24" Satellite System. If the answer is YES, your site should be suitable for installing an 18" or 24" Satellite System. LNBF Polarization Tilt (skew) Your LNB is marked with a label indicating the polarization tilt. Your local LNB polarity offset information varies by location. If you are in Houston, TX your LNB polarization is to be set at 0 degrees. But if you are on the California coast your LNB polarization could be as much as minus 30 degrees (clockwise rotation). And if you are in Maine your LNB polarization could be as much as plus 30 degree (counter-clockwise rotation).  Peaking the dish and adjusting the polarity of the LNB will greatly improve your Signal Quality reading. When adjusting your LNB, it's not going to be turned more than 31 degrees (unless you live in Hawaii). Also be sure you don't leave that LNB plastic bracket loose. The LNB won't pick up the satellite if the bracket is loose, and it's slightly off. Finally, when thinking about degrees, remember that 30 degrees is about 5 minutes on a clock. Don't turn the LNB too much! Make certain that the pole or tri-mast assembly is vertically plumb. Check it with an Angle Finder or a level.  If the pole or tri-mast is not plumb, your azimuth and elevation will not be accurate and will cause difficulty when pointing the dish. Also, if you are using a pole mount, make certain you pour a sufficient footing that will provide proper ballast. A pole that does not have sufficient ballast will lean over time, causing you to lose the signal. Your mount must be very strong and can not wobble. You must use at least 4 lag screws (correct size for your installation) in the base mount one on each corner. When pointing the satellite dish, allow 5-10 seconds between any movements of the dish. This allows the receiver to complete a signal scan, and lock indicating that you have located the signal. A reasonable signal strength is between 50 and 80. If it is lower than that range, you are either pointing into an object (e.g. trees, shrubs, or structures) or pointing above or below the satellite. Your antenna installation position must have a clear view angle of the satellite you are trying to receive. There are other satellites within 2 degrees to the left or right that may use the same frequency. This will provide a strong signal strength reading but no signal quality or signal lock. If you have a high strength reading but are not able to lock on, try adjusting the dish slightly to the right or left. When you are attempting to set up a satellite dish in a heavily wooded area or one with lots of man made obstructions, it helps to understand how the dish really works. One common misconception is that the dish points 'directly' at the satellite. This isn't the case for most dish designs. The apparent elevation of the dish is 15 or more degrees lower than it's actual receiving window. Have a look at this diagram.... it's easier to see it than it is to explain it..... More about Installation Professional Installation is strongly recommended if you have difficulty locating and locking on your favorite satellite. Guidelines and tips provided on this website are intended to help you achieve a successful installation of your new satellite system. You are advised to consult a professional installer if you need more support.