Do It Yourself Satellite Installation.

 Please read these instructions completely before attempting to install your system! 
         

Site Check: Using the aiming coordinates along with a compass and angle finder, locate a dish mounting position. While facing the direction of the satellite, reference the magnetic azimuth (compass angle) and elevation. The dish must be located with a clear line of sight to the satellite with no obstructions. Satellite signals will not pass through leaves, limbs, overhangs, glass, etc.

If no suitable location can be found on a wall or roof, consider alternative mounting locations such as setting a 2 3/8" galvanized fence post in a cement base located in a clearing. Do not mount the dish on a wooden post or high up on a tree, as this will not provide a stable platform. The coax run should be as short as possible. The included grounding block and wire should connect to the utility ground according to NEC and local electrical codes. The cable should be RG-6 or better. Inferior cables, splices and barrels will degrade the weak satellite signal and result in poor or no picture and sound.

2. Mounting the Dish Antenna

Secure the dish post. Be sure that the lag bolts on the base plate are screwed into the rafters or wall studs and not only into the sheeting. This will provide a solid base for the remainder of the installation. Apply silicone caulking or other sealant to all lag bolts and cable access holes to prevent water damage. The slightest movement of the installed dish and mount will result in degraded quality and loss of reception! Plumb and level the mounting post using a level (two-way post levels simplify the installation process). If the mounting post is not level, the aiming process will be very difficult!
 
 

Assemble the dish antenna and attach the lnbf (small gray box with a white cap) to the feed arm. Set the lnbf rotation as specified in the aiming coordinates and slide the lnbf out away from the reflector then semi-tighten the attaching screws.
Move the lnbf out away from the reflector then tighten the attaching screws. 

  

    Standard Mount LNB is not adjustable and will sits at 12 O'clock  

Set the elevation to the correct angle using the scale located on the side of the mount and fine tune by using an angle finder with a magnetic base to the bottom of the feed arm and observing the pitch indicator lining up with the elevation coordinates.. This device will indicate the angle to within 1 degree and simplify your installation.then semi-tighten the elevation fastening bolts.

Place the dish on the post and aim towards the magnetic azimuth using the enclosed compass. Metal and electrical devices including the metal of the dish and mounts will affect the compass readings. Be sure to take the azimuth readings with the compass located a distance away form these types of influences. Do not over tighten, as the dish will need to be fine-tuned.
 
 3. Connecting the Satellite Receiver

The easiest way to aim the satellite dish is to temporarily place the satellite receiver connected to a small television at the dish antenna mounting location. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS IF IT IS RAINING OR THE GRASS IS WET! Remove the satellite receiver and remote control from the packaging. Install the included batteries into the remote control. Connect a coaxial cable from the lnbf on the dish antenna to the LNB IN port on the back of the satellite receiver. Finger tighten these connections. Connect a short coaxial cable from the RF OUT port on the back of the satellite receiver to the antenna input of the television. Turn on the television set and tune to channel 3. Plug the satellite receiver electrical cord into a surge protected power strip. The receiver should automatically power on. If the dish is properly aimed a channel will appear. If not aimed correctly the screen will display "No Signal." While viewing the channel banner at the bottom of the TV screen, change channel using the CH Up or CH Down keys until either the Hope Channel or 3ABN (TV English) channel identification is displayed.
 
 

4. Aiming and Fine Tuning the Dish Antenna

Press the MENU key then CH Down key to select Installation then press the OK key. The Installation Menu screen will appear. Press the CH Down key to select Channel Search then OK. The Channel Search screen will appear. Press the RED button on the lower left of the remote keypad to open the Extended Signal Bar window. The green Signal Level meter varies very little, but an increase of 5 - 10 percent will indicate the presence of a satellite. The yellow Signal Quality meter will not indicate a signal until the dish is aimed at the correct satellite. An audio beep will become more rapid when the correct satellite is found.

Offset dish antennas are aimed at an elevation that is higher than the angle that the face is directed.

 

Once the AMC4 satellite is located, make minute adjustments in elevation and azimuth until maximum reading is indicated by the Signal Quality meter and corresponding numerical readout. Quality readings should be in the mid to upper 70's to insure optimum reception. A stronger signal quality will provide reliable the reception. If the signal is too low, the picture will break up into little squares and the sound will become garbled and choppy or both will disappear completely! Tighten the elevation and azimuth nuts and bolts while continuing to observe the signal meters. If signal indicators drop during the tightening process additional adjustments will need to be made. Final quality level adjustments are made by slightly rotating the lnbf clockwise and counter-clockwise and / or moving the lnbf towards or away from the dish face while observing the Signal Quality for maximum reading. Press the EXIT key several times to escape the menu screens. Press the channel UP or DOWN keys to change the satellite television channels or press the TV/RADIO key and then the channel UP or DOWN key to change the radio channels.

Carefully route the coax cable from the dish to the satellite receiver. Secure all cables using appropriate cable clips. Avoid using wire staples as they can dimple or penetrate the cable and can cause loss of signal! Do not tightly bend the cables and leave drip loops and cable loops as needed. Remember to seal all exterior wall and/or roof holes with a quality sealant or silicone caulking. Install the grounding block and grounding wire following all NEC and local electrical codes.

ALWAYS CONNECT THE COAXIAL CABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE LNB ON THE DISH TO THE RECEIVER "LNB IN" PORT - PASSING ONLY THROUGH THE GROUND BLOCK. THE OUTPUT OF A SINGLE LNBF SHOULD ONLY FEED ONE LOCATION AND THERE CANNOT BE ANY TV SPLITTERS OR OTHER DEVICES IN LINE UNLESS APPROVED FOR SATELLITE INSTALLATIONS. AVOID USING EXISTING CABLES OR PREWIRED HOUSE CABLING.

The basic installation is now complete. Connecting the satellite receiver audio outputs to the television; vcr and/or stereo inputs and the video or s-video outputs to the VCR and/or television inputs can enhance the install. This will result in better sound and pictures!  Consult the owners manual for operation and programming information.