FTA Fever Free-To-Air Satellite Learning Center

A Step-by-Step Guide To Installing & Positioning Your Satellite Dish

NOTE: Before beginning installation, please be sure to read the warnings and safety precautions in your manufacturer's installation and operation manuals.

1. Install your antenna base plate on a flat, secure surface. You may wish to use a plywood base to ensure a level surface. We recommend using weather-resistant plywood that's approximately 18" by 18", 3/8" or 1/2" thick.
2. Align the antenna base plate so that the outside holes are positioned over bricks, not mortar. Do not drill holes in mortar joints between bricks.
3. Use a carpenter's level to plumb the satellite antenna mast. Check at least two locations on the mast's side to make sure the mast is plumb; that is, aligned vertically with the level's vertical bubble. (Refer to diagram below.) Your two measurements should align at 90-degree angles to each other.

   If the mast is plumb, proceed to Step 5. Otherwise, follow Step 4.

4. Loosen the adjustment nuts and rotate the mast until it's plumb. Next, tighten the adjustment nuts with a torque wrench. If you still can't align the antenna mast to your carpenter's level, use wood shims to level the antenna mast. If shims can't correct your alignment, you'll need to choose another installation site.
   

   

5. Unless you're attaching a grounding block to the exterior of your house, the cable from the satellite dish to your FTA receiver should be a straight run or "home run." In other words, don't splice the cable to attach splitters between the satellite dish and your receiver.

HINT: It's critical that your satellite dish has plenty of clearance and a clear line of sight. Since satellite dishes are reflective, reception is better above objects rather than underneath them.

Finished installing your dish? Now it's time to locate your satellite.

How to Find the Satellite

1. Via the main menu on your FTA receiver, select the Signal Meter Screen to find the proper setting for your dish, and to determine when you've hit the satellite. Try pointing your dish southward first.
2. Set the Elevation. (UP/DOWN) Once your dish is securely mounted, you can set the proper elevation. First, loosen the nuts that secure the two elevation bolts so that your dish tilts up and down easily. Align the elevation indicator with the tick mark that corresponds to your elevation number. During the alignment process, be sure to pause for 5 to 10 seconds between adjustments to allow the receiver ample time to catch the signal. Once you have achieved alignment, tighten the bolts.

   

3. Check the signal meter screen in your system's on-screen interface. If you hit any number other than 0, you've hit the satellite. All that's left is fine-tuning the signal. Tweak the signal in small movements up or down, left or right, or both.

   HINT: If you don't find the satellite on the first pass, adjust the elevation setting on your satellite dish up to a 4-point variance.

4. Set the Azimuth. (LEFT/RIGHT) Set the azimuth by turning the dish left and right. Loosen the azimuth nuts on your dish's LNB arm so that the dish turns smoothly with little pressure. Point the dish in the general direction of the satellite, in the southern hemisphere.

   HINT: A compass can help you accurately pinpoint direction, as well as help you align your azimuth setting.

   Move the dish up or down a tick mark. Move from 2 o'clock to 1 o'clock in one-fourth movements, pausing between adjustments. Repeat these steps until you find the satellite. Your dish will now be positioned to lock in on the satellite signal.

Acquiring the Signal

NOTE: Your FTA receiver should be connected to your television, and both the TV and receiver must be turned on. Your antenna-to-receiver cables must be connected.

From your on-screen display, display your Setup Antenna/Signal Strength setting to determine your signal strength. Ideally, you should post a helper inside to monitor the Signal Strength screen.

To receive clear, steady signals, your signal levels must be in the green on the signal meter. If the signal needs more adjustment…

Standing behind your satellite dish and holding its outer edges, turn the dish slowly to the right to adjust the azimuth. Pause a few seconds to give the receiver enough time to lock in the satellite signal. Continue turning the dish in this manner until you have acquired the signal, or until you have rotated the dish approximately 15 degrees from its starting point.

If you don't detect a signal, return to the starting point and move the dish to the left, following the instructions above.

If you don't acquire the signal after rotating the dish approximately 15 degrees to each side of the calculated azimuth angle, loosen the elevation bolts and tilt the dish upward slightly so that the elevation indicator moves halfway from one tick mark to the next. Tighten the elevation bolts.

Continue adjusting the elevation in half-tick-mark increments until you receive a signal. Tilt the dish upward three tick marks beyond the initial tick mark, return the dish to the initial tick mark and tilt it down a half-tick-mark. Keep repeating this process until you receive the satellite signal.

Fine-Tuning

Once you acquire the satellite signal, you'll want to fine-tune your dish positioning to ensure that you're receiving the maximum possible signal strength. Maximizing your signal will reduce rainfade during inclement weather.

NOTE: The Signal Strength reading does not need to be 100. You'll never achieve a 100 signal. Concentrate on locking in the highest possible signal. Signal Strength of high 70s to low 80s should sustain you through rainfade weather conditions.

Loosen the azimuth bolts and gently turn your dish in the direction you were turning it when you first acquired the satellite signal. Pause for a few seconds after each dish adjustment. Keep adjusting the dish in this manner until your on-screen Signal Strength reading reaches its peak and begins to fall. Then gently turn the dish the opposite way until you achieve that peak reading again. Tighten the azimuth bolts.

Loosen the elevation bolts. Gently tilt the dish up and down to improve the Signal Strength reading. When you achieve the strongest signal, tighten the elevation bolts.

Congratulations! You're ready to enjoy endless hours of entertainment with your new Free-To-Air satellite system.