How To Install a FTA (Free To Air) Satellite System

A. Pre-Installation Homework

Verify if the dish size is indeed adequate for your area and targeted satellite.

Obtain Look Angles readings for your city and targeted satellite. This includes: - the Azimuth reading which the number of degree is clockwise away from the north. (Use of compass) the
Elevation reading which is the vertical angle up from the horizon.

B. List of
Equipment and Accessories required

FTA Receiver

Satellite Dish (30 " or 36 ")

LNBF

RG-6 coaxial cable (F56-G indoor
connector, F56-SG outdoor connector if you make your own cable)

TV set

Map Compass for Azimuth reading

Satellite Finder (optional)

Drill

Phillips screw driver

Socket set/wrenches

C.
Installation Steps

Assemble dish with instruction supplied during time of purchase.

With the aid of a compass, orient toward the general azimuth direction and the elevation of the satellite and locate an ideal area to position the dish. Here, there must be no obstructions between the satellite and the dish from trees and buildings. Avoid installation on the roof if at all possible to prevent high wind damage or for ease of access if required. (e.g. side of the house, 4X4 post)

Put in place the dish pole on irm support and keep it vertically plumb to enable accurate azimuth and elevation settings.( use 2 of the 4 or 6 lag screws for now )

Feed the RG6 cable through the pole, then mount the dish onto the pole but do not tighten the screws too much for now. Connect the LNB head to the wire that was fed through the support pole and secure the LNB head with the provided screw onto to the support pole.

Complete connections of wiring to the receiver and TV.

As an option you can use a satellite finder by attaching it between the dish and the receiver (highly recommended e.g. SF-95.)

Adjust the elevation to the desired vertical angle; do not tighten the screws too tight to allow for
some adjustment...

Now rotate the dish to point more closely to the targeted azimuth position in very small incremental angle, allows 5-10 seconds between any movements of the dish. This allows the
receiver to complete a signal scan. A lock response on the receiver would indicate that you have located the signal.

You are targeting signal strength of between 50 to 80. If you have strong signal strength but no signal quality or lock. Try adjusting the dish a bit to the right or left. Optimum signal quality is between 70 and 100.

Set the LNBF polarization tilt by rotating clockwise for western region (negative LNB polarization) to improve signal quality reading. Rotate counter-clockwise if you are from the eastern region (positive LNB polarization).

Secure the dish pole with the rest of the lag screws.