Among ordinary, untrained users, there is an opinion that it is almost impossible to independently install and configure a satellite system. In fact, this is not true at all. Below are simple instructions for dummies on how to independently install and configure a satellite dish without calculations, satellite finders and other attributes of professionals. If you are a professional installer, then the material below is unlikely to be of interest to you.

Although any information can now be found on the Internet, I still tried to collect all the basic information I received on one page - for convenience. I’ll just try to tell you in my own words and with pictures how I installed and configured the satellite system. I’ll say right away that the installation of ONLY an offset fixed antenna is being considered, and not a direct focus or motorized one. And yet, it is possible that no matter how hard you try, you may not be able to install and configure the antenna yourself. Then you will have to invite a professional installer. It’s hard for me to imagine how this could be, but I’ve seen people on the forums struggling for a couple of days in useless attempts to set up the antenna. In other cases, by independently selecting components and installing it yourself, you can save some, sometimes considerable, amount. Besides everything else, I personally was just interested in installing everything myself. What is the difference between installing and configuring the system “by eye” and professional installation? Almost nothing. With the exception of a more accurate initial calculation (which allows significant time savings), the mounting system and the principle of antenna tuning are the same.

Warning: All work related to heights and electricity is life-threatening!!! If anything causes the slightest concern, do not take risks, trust the professionals!!! You perform independent installation at your own peril and risk!!! In any case, remember about safety precautions and that all dangerous work at height is carried out only by professionals with proven safety equipment!!!

List of basic concepts

TV satellite– a spacecraft located in the geostationary orbit of the Earth and sending a television signal to a certain territory of the Earth via a transponder. All satellites are located in the equatorial plane, so they are at the same latitude, but differ in longitude. In addition to the name, they also have a longitude designation. For example, Amos 4W means that the satellite is called Amos and is located at 4 degrees west longitude (W is West). Hotbird 13E is a satellite of Hotbird, located at 13 degrees east longitude (E is East). Based on the fact that satellites are “fixed” at certain points in orbit, they also have certain coverage areas of the Earth.

Transponder– a transceiver located on the satellite. It is characterized by the width and direction of the sent beam and the broadcast frequency. Broadcasting is carried out in two main bands - C-Band and Ku-Band. Mostly American and Russian satellites broadcast in the C band (4 GHz), and European satellites broadcast in the Ku band (10.700-12.750 GHz). Broadcasting is carried out in linear or circular polarization. Which in turn differ into vertical (V) and horizontal (H) for linear polarization and left (L) and right (R) for circular polarization. When they say “signal from transponder 11766H”, they mean a transponder broadcasting at a frequency of 11766 MHz with a horizontal
polarization. There are from several to dozens of transponders on a satellite
things.

Satellite antenna– the main element of the subscriber’s satellite system for receiving a signal from the satellite. To put it in simple words, the antenna “collects” the weak reflected satellite signal over its entire surface and focuses it to a specific point where the converter is installed. The most common antennas are direct focus and offset. Direct focus ones are a parabolic mirror with a focus at the geometric center, while offset ones have a shifted focus (below the geometric center of the antenna). Accordingly, the converter of a direct-focus antenna is installed in the center, near
offset - shifted to the bottom. Offset antennas are the most popular among ordinary users. They are cheap, easy to install and configure. Antennas are produced in various diameters and from various materials. The material is usually either aluminum alloy or steel. There are non-rotating antennas (rigidly fixed) and antennas with an actuator (motor suspension). The motorized suspension rotates the antenna at specified angles and allows you to receive signals from a huge number of satellites in the field of view. Setting up the latter is not very easy for a beginner. The antenna size is selected individually, depending on the signal strength needed to view the satellite. The antenna diameter must be selected with some margin, since precipitation (heavy rain, snow) creates significant interference with the satellite signal. This is especially true for the Ku-band. But there is no need to go to extremes - if an antenna with a diameter of 0.9 m is enough, absolutely
it is not necessary to buy a 1.5m antenna - it weighs more and its area is larger
more exposed to wind.

Converter– a device designed to receive a satellite signal reflected from an antenna and installed on a corresponding holder at the antenna focus. The main purpose of the converter is to convert the frequency of the received satellite signal (for example, for the Ku-band it is from 10.7 to 12.75 GHz) to an intermediate one (900 - 2150 MHz), at which the attenuation of the signal transmitted in the cable will be less. Since the power of the received satellite signal is very low, the second important task of the converter is to amplify it to an acceptable level for the receiving path of the receiver. Since any converter introduces its own level of noise into the signal, but is also low-noise, it is also called LNB (Low Noise Block). Converters can be designed to operate in linear or circular polarization and are selected depending on which polarization the satellite is broadcasting in (for example, popular NTV+ packages are broadcast in circular polarization and a universal linear polarization converter, despite the name “universal”, is not suitable for reception). If the converter is universal, it switches to the specified polarization with a voltage of 13/18 V supplied by the receiver. 13 V - vertical polarization, 18 V - horizontal. One more nuance: converters come with 1 output, 2 outputs, 4 outputs, 8 outputs. Based on how many independent viewing points will be installed, a converter with the appropriate number of outputs must be installed, since all converter outputs are independent.

Multifeed– holder for additional converter. Since the satellites are located in geostationary orbit relatively close to each other (according to
certain standards), it is possible to simultaneously receive a signal on one antenna using a multifeed from several nearby satellites. A classic example is 3 satellites (Hotbird 13E, Sisius 4.8E, Amos 4W) received on 1 fixed antenna. As a rule, a converter is installed on the main (focal) antenna holder, configured for Sisius 4.8E, on the 1st multifeed converter for Hotbird 13E, and on the 2nd multifeed converter for Amos 4W.

Disek (DiseqC) is a device that switches a signal from several converters to 1 cable. Since the receiver can only receive a signal from one satellite at a time, the converter corresponding to this satellite must be connected to the receiver. This is exactly what the disek does - it connects to the receiver
currently needed converter. There are different discs, designed to work according to a specific protocol. The DiseqC 1.0 protocol is unidirectional and is used when the number of converters is no more than 4. DiseqC 2.0 is the same, only bidirectional and compatible with 1.0. DiseqC 1.1 is used to connect more converters. Protocol 1.2 is used to control the positioner.

A coaxial cable is connected to the inputs and output of the disk via F-connectors.
I think there is no need to talk about connectors and cables - everything is clear here. However, the cable must have a characteristic impedance of 75 Ohms, be made of high-quality materials that can withstand severe temperature changes and have a good shielding braid. The material of the core is steel, copper, copper-plated steel - it’s clear that it’s unlikely to work out better.

Antenna bracket– a simple metal holder that is attached to the wall (usually) and to which the antenna is attached. It must be made as securely as possible so that the wind does not tear off the antenna.

Satellite receiver– a device that receives a satellite signal from a converter and outputs it to the TV in the form of a familiar picture with sound Smile Choosing a receiver is the most difficult task when choosing a satellite system.
Receivers come in both open unencoded channels (FTA) and encoded ones, with card readers, with slots for additional decoding modules, with an emulator, with various video outputs, with a hard drive and other useful and not so useful functions. Here, as they say, there is something for every preference and every budget. There is one important point: today satellite broadcasting in HD format (high-definition video) and MPEG4 is being actively put into operation. Receivers that support these formats are usually much more expensive than regular ones. Therefore, before purchasing a satellite system, you need to decide what content you will watch and what kind of receiver you need for this. Cheap receivers, as a rule, do not have high image and sound quality, great functionality and fast channel switching. Although there are exceptions. A separate nuance is the emulator in the receiver. As its name suggests, the emulator is designed to software emulate the operation of a smart card. What is it for? A huge number of channels from different satellites are protected by encodings. There are different encodings - Viaccess, Seca, Irdeto, Nagravision, Biss, etc. For example, some package of channels in Biss encoding is broadcast and you want to watch it (the antenna is tuned to
desired satellite), but you do not have a smart card. Then look for a software emulator in your receiver (usually this is listed in undocumented capabilities) and turn it on. Enter the channel's access keys, and if everything is in order, watch it. As a rule, emulators in modern receivers support several encodings. Another application of the emulator is a phenomenon popularly called “sharing” or “card sharing”. Yes, and one more thing: when choosing a receiver, you should pay attention to the availability and regularity of released software. In other words, firmware. New firmware, as a rule, removes errors that occur, adds parameters for satellites, transponders, new codes for the emulator, etc.

Selection of components

To begin with, for some time I studied the Internet to familiarize myself with the issue (since I was a complete ignoramus and the concept of what a disc or transponder was was very illusory, but I still wanted to watch satellite TV). I decided what content and from which satellites I want to watch (at the end of this article you can look at the lists of the most popular channels in our area and some links), what is received in my region and what antenna diameter, and also got acquainted with the advice of experienced , among which Vladbel provided me with great help, for which special thanks to him Smile In the end, for
The following satellites were selected: Amos 4W, Sirius 4.8E, Hotbird 13E for one antenna 0.95m and Eutelsat W4 36E for 0.85m. I chose http://www.agsat.com.ua/ as a Kyiv store - everything is in one place and, among other things, they are one of the sellers of original equipment of the same brand recommended by the Openbox manufacturer, and my soul was in Openbox Smile By the way, both receivers I bought in Agsat and receivers bought there for my friends were ALREADY flashed with lists of satellites and lists
favorite channels from popular satellites 4W+5E(4.8E)+13E, and this concerned not only Openboxes. Convenient for those who don’t want to bother too much with filling in favorites.

What was purchased and what were the selection criteria:

• Offset antenna 0.95m, produced in Kharkov. Painted steel. For receiving signals from Amos 4W, Sirius 4.8E, Hotbird 13E.
• Offset antenna 0.85m, produced in Kharkov. Painted steel. To receive a signal from Eutelsat W4 36E.
• Receiver Openbox X-810. Firstly, Openbox has the most powerful technical
  support (new firmware comes out almost every couple of weeks),
  secondly, excellent picture quality, thirdly, built-in emulator,
  fourthly, support for LanComBox (for fans of “sharing”Smile.
• Three universal linear polarization converters SINGLE TITANIUM TSX 0.2dB. Declared low noise level.
• One circular polarization converter SINGLE Circular INVERTO IDLP-40SCIRCL for Eutelsat W4 36E (NTV+).
• Two multifeeds.
• Two antenna brackets.
• Disc signal switch from 4 converters into 1 cable connected to the receiver.
• Coaxial antenna cable, characteristic impedance 75 Ohm, coil 100m.
• 10 antenna screw-on F-connectors.
• 6 anchor bolts "under the nut" 8x72, washers, nuts and lock washers.
• Plastic self-tightening ties.
• A steel cable with clamps for securing the antenna cable to it and lowering it from the roof.
• Plastic box for disc.
• Lanсombox is a device for sharing (anyone who wants can search for the term “card sharing” with any search engine)Smile.

The budget for all this stuff was 1346 hryvnia or ~$270.

Installation

The antenna must be installed in the line of sight to the south. Direct means that there should be no obstacles in front of the antenna in the form of houses, trees, etc. It is for this reason that the most optimal places to install antennas are balconies and roofs. Since my windows are on the ground floor and are not directed to the south, it was decided to install the antennas on the roof. Fortunately, the roof of my typical panel 9-story building is flat, which makes installation easier (if there is no free access to the antenna with more than 1 converter after installing it on the bracket, see below *). What did I need on the roof besides the antennas and their mounts:

• Hammer with drills with pobedit tips. The diameter of the drill is chosen slightly smaller than the diameter of the anchor bolt. Much less is not possible - the anchor will not fit into the wall. Any more - it will “lobble” and it won’t really be possible to tighten it.
• Phillips screwdriver.
• Socket wrench 10.
• Socket wrench 13.
• Adjustable wrench.
• Hammer.
• Paper cutter (for stripping cables for connectors).
• Wire cutters.
• Receiver with remote control.
• Small TV.
• 220V with extension cord for 3 sockets.

The most interesting questions are where to point the antennas? How to determine the direction? How to set up antennas without a satellite finder (a device for setting up satellite dishes costs from $400)? Since in my case it was decided to make the adjustment “by eye”, I decided to determine the direction logically simply - I just looked at where the antennas on the neighboring roof were pointing and
decided to turn mine in the same direction/

An antenna with 3 converters - definitely Sirius, Hotbird, Amos - we have a lot of these and installers mainly install them. Looking at the neighboring houses, you can find many of them and they are all directed in the same direction. That is why I had no doubts. To the left of it with one converter - probably NTVshnaya - we also have enough of those. If you don’t have such guidelines, then the situation is worse. You need to determine the south direction and try to point the antenna there. Once again, an indispensable condition is that in front of the antenna there should under no circumstances be any visible obstacles in the direction of the satellite!!! Among other things, in a situation where the antenna is installed under someone’s balconies or canopies, make sure that
streams of water or snow from the top visor do not fall directly on your antenna. This does not bode well for the reception.

It is to this elevator shaft that I decided to attach my antennas:

It’s unsightly, of course, on the roof, but this is not a European-quality renovation of the apartment Smile Defined
installation location, marked the holes for the brackets, drilled them with a hammer drill, hammered the anchors inside and secured the brackets (I didn’t completely photograph the further steps, so almost all the photos will be from already installed systems). I won’t go into detail about fixing the brackets; I think that everything is clear about this, the work is mechanical. Still, if someone doesn’t know what an anchor bolt is, I’ll show you what it looks like:

It consists of a glass and a bolt located inside it. The bolt has a thread for a nut on one side and a thickening cone on the other. Exactly as in the figure, from left to right, carefully, so as not to damage the thread under the nut, it is driven into the drilled hole.

I recommend loosening the nut, but not unscrewing it completely, otherwise the bolt risks completely falling inside the hole, and then you won’t be able to get it out. The same applies to putting the bracket on the bolts (the nuts will still have to be removed) - make sure that the bolts do not fall inside the glass, I recommend that before putting the bracket on, pull them towards you as much as possible or tighten them a little with a nut - so that the cone fits a little into the glass and the bolts do not wobble . The glass should be flush with the wall, and the thread with the nut, respectively, should be outside the hole.

The principle of operation of an anchor bolt is as follows: when the nut begins to be tightened with a wrench, it pulls the bolt inside the glass outward due to the thread. The cone located at the end of the bolt enters the glass and expands it as much as possible inside the hole. As a result, tearing such a bolt out of the wall is far from a trivial task. That is why it is recommended to hang the bracket on self-wedging anchor bolts, and not on screws with plastic dowels.

However, the choice of fastening is a personal matter for everyone. The only thing is, if you still choose anchors, look at their quality, in particular the material and thickness of the glass. Because the anchors are made too flimsily and will hold accordingly.

When installing on a balcony, you can even drill through the wall and thread threaded rods of the appropriate length through it (these are sold in stores). They are secured on both sides with nuts.

Back to the installation.

The first was to set up an antenna with 3 converters for Sirius, Hotbird, Amos, the second was for Eutelsat 36E. At first the brackets were screwed to screw anchor bolts, later I changed them to nut ones. The screw ones turned out to be unreliable. The photo shows the first unsuccessful attempts in the form of remaining holes. By that time, the brackets were also repainted to enhance the original paint:

In the photo above, the antenna is already assembled, with converters, cable, etc. Initially, the antenna was simply assembled, hung on a bracket, and the converters and cable were attached only later. A thin metal cable - I just had extra one and I threaded it through the antenna mount and screwed it to the elevator shaft post in case the wind would tear out the anchors, so that the antenna would not dive from the roof Smile In fact, this is almost impossible, but so be it - That's what I thought. To adjust the antenna in the vertical and horizontal planes, you need to tighten the mount so that the antenna does not change its tilt on its own, but at the same time it can be moved in the planes with some effort. These nuts are not much until the final adjustment
tighten:

An unclamped left screw allows you to adjust the antenna in the vertical plane, 2
without clamping the right ones, rotate the antenna relative to the bracket in the horizontal plane.

Next, both multifeeds are put on the central holder of the antenna converter, converters are inserted into all holders, and everything is tightened so that the converters in the multifeeds can be turned with some effort in all
planes (cables to converters are connected later). The photo below shows what multifeeds are and how they are attached:

After this, the setup process begins. A piece of cable a couple of meters long is screwed to the central converter using an F-connector, the second end of the cable is screwed to the receiver. From some site I have pictures of what an F-connector is and how to screw it onto a cable correctly.

The receiver is connected to the TV, only after that the 220V power is turned on. An important point - when screwing an F-connector onto a cable, you must carefully ensure that the thin conductors of the cable shielding do not short-circuit with the central core, otherwise the receiver can be damaged!!!

I turn on the TV, receiver, go to the Installation-Search for channels menu. In the list of satellites on the left, I select Sirius 2/Ku 4.8E - it is to this satellite that the rigidly fixed central converter will be configured. From the menu on the right I select:

• LNBP: On(turn on converter power)
• LNBP Type: Universal(universal type of converter, according to the ones I purchased)
• LNBP Freq: 10600/9750(indicated on converters)
• 22Khz: Auto(I leave the signal to switch the disk)
• DISEqC: None(I’m leaving it this way, since the signal is connected directly for now, and not through a disk)

Next, using the yellow button on the remote control, I go to the Transponder submenu and select the transponder on which I will search for a signal (I advise you to write out in advance several transponders selected from satellites with different polarizations and REALLY WORKING free-to-air channels (FTA). The list can be found at the links below.

For example, in my case, to begin with, it will be a 11766H transponder, broadcasting at a frequency of 11766 MHz with horizontal polarization. For convenience, the signal quality can be displayed on full screen using the Info button. I will be guided by the lower “Quality” scale:

What do we see in this photo? A bleak picture, signal quality - 0%! Actually, what should you expect? After all, the antenna is still “looking” towards the satellite very approximately.

Next comes the most difficult moment, which requires a lot of endurance - this is adjusting the antenna in planes. Why is a shutter speed necessary - literally a few millimeters, and there will be no signal. It’s not that it will be bad, but it won’t exist at all! The setup is as follows - you need to install the antenna in some vertical position, in my position it was approximately like this:

After this, you need to very, very smoothly rotate the antenna in the horizontal direction and at the same time carefully look at the quality scale, first in one direction, and if the scale does not change from 0, then in the other. When it is discovered that the quality scale has increased to at least 10-15, this is already the first success, you can stop and take a breath. If it is not possible to find a signal in the entire horizontal plane, you need to slightly change the vertical angle of the antenna and begin moving again in the horizontal plane until the signal appears. When at least some signal is found: now you need to try to move the antenna even more smoothly left and right and achieve the maximum level of signal quality. Having achieved this, you need to try to achieve an even larger signal by very smoothly moving the antenna up and down. After this you can try
slightly rotate the converter around its axis in the holder (there are marks on the converter for this purpose):

The maximum signal can be achieved ONLY by combining all these adjustments. Another nuance - if you cannot find a signal under any conditions, and you have double-checked everything, including the receiver settings, 100 times, it makes sense to try another converter; perhaps this one is faulty. I get the maximum signal level that I can get:

It would seem that you can calm down and tighten all the adjustment screws? No matter how
So! After all, the adjustment was made for a transponder broadcasting in horizontal polarization (there is a letter H in the picture at the end of the 2nd term), but you also need to configure some transponder in vertical (V) polarization:

In my case, turning the converter in the holder counterclockwise helped to achieve better signal quality in vertical polarization.

After this, you can scan the transponders (look in the documentation with your
receiver, how to do this) and visually see whether the channels are received and whether they correspond to the selected satellite:

When signals in horizontal and vertical polarizations are at their maximum
What can be pulled out, it is necessary to tighten all the adjusting nuts that are not fully tightened. And there is one unpleasant moment - when you tighten the nut, the antenna slightly changes its direction, and the signal quality can noticeably decrease! So you also need to tighten it very carefully. Everything, the antenna and the first converter are configured. I turn off the receiver from the outlet, wind the cable from the central converter to the converter on the left (to the one on the multifeed, if you look at the antenna
front), turn on everything, select Hotbird 13E in the menu, the same menu settings on the right as for Sirius, select a working transponder and try to set the maximum signal quality. Only this time I’m not adjusting the antenna, but the converter itself on the multifeed. It can move in all planes relative to the antenna focus - left, right, up, down, forward, backward:

All nuts are tightened when the signal is maximum. Don't forget about checking
both polarizations. I scan Hotbird's transponders and visually check some free channels.

I turn everything off again, twist the cable to the 3rd converter, turn everything on, select Amos 4w and configure it. Everything is the same. After this, the setup of the first antenna can be considered complete.

Second antenna. Which I am going to configure on Eutelsat W4 36E (NTV+). It’s simpler here - there’s only one converter. Moreover, since it is circularly polarized, it is not very important how it will be deployed inside the holder. It is best to have the cable facing down so that sediment does not accumulate on it:

Accordingly, you need to adjust the antenna in the horizontal and vertical planes. I turn everything off and reconnect the cable to this converter. The settings according to the purchased converter are as follows:

I set up the second antenna, check the antenna in both polarizations on different
transponders. Since the converter is designed for circular polarization, they are checked not for H and V, but for L and R (left and right).

That's all. You can turn everything off. Now you need to switch the signal through the disk.

My disc has 1 output to the receiver, designated REC, and 4 inputs for
converters called 1,2,3,4. I connect the converters like this:

1. Sirius
2. Hotbird
3. Eutelsat

The connection is simple - a segment is connected to each converter
cable connected to the corresponding disk input. If you install one antenna with 1 converter, then you don’t need a disc. If there is one antenna for 2 converters and the disk has 2 free ports, it’s okay. The disk is installed not far from the antennas and, preferably, is placed in a waterproof box (I bought it at an electrical goods store) so that precipitation does not fall on it:

Holes for ventilation are desirable in the bottom of the disc box. Acute
Cable bend angles are not allowed! The F-connectors on the converters are closed either with the included caps or with heat-shrinkable tubing:

By the way, in the above photo you can see the distances between the converters and their angles of inclination. On the right is the antenna aimed at Eutelsat W4.

I configure the disk drive protocol (in my case 1.0) and the distribution of converters according to the inputs (ports) of the disk drive in the receiver menu:

The pictures show which converters are assigned to which inputs (ports) of the disk (to which satellite). 0/12V: On only for LanComBox. If you don’t have it, then you don’t need to turn on 12V. I save the changes and check if all the disk inputs are working (that is, all configured satellites have a signal).

Someone may have a question: “why not immediately connect all the converters to the disk, register all the inputs and configure the antennas?” The answer is simple - if the disk is really not working, you will waste a LOT of time and nerves trying to create a signal that cannot be found by definition. Among other things, without a disc you can quickly determine whether the converter you bought is working.

I tighten the cables with ties so that nothing dangles. Remains not a stretch
attach the cable to the cable, lower the cable down and tighten it. Install cable in the apartment, connect the receiver, TV and watch satellite TV Smile

Here's what I ended up with on the roof:

*- If there is no access to the antenna after installing it on the bracket:

when there is only one converter on the antenna, everything is clear, nothing complicated - it is fixed
rigidly on the antenna, the antenna is hung out of the window (or somewhere else) on a bracket, and adjusted in the vertical and horizontal planes all from the same window (return to the warning at the beginning of the instructions!!!). What should you do if you need to configure 1 additional converter (or more) on the multifeed? At the dacha, I did this: I screwed the bracket to an old high cabinet, put the assembled antenna on it, placed the whole structure in front of a wide open window and set it up that way. By the way, a curious moment - with the very first turn on, with approximate antenna tilts, without additional settings, I received a quality level on Sirius of more than 70%! I couldn’t believe my eyes. In a word, I set up all 3 converters in this form, carefully clamped everything, hung the bracket outside the window and hung the antenna with the already configured converters on it. All that remains is to adjust it in planes.

An important point when installing satellite antennas at high altitude: in addition to safety precautions and insuring yourself, first of all, when hanging the antenna on a bracket or mast, always protect the antenna. Just imagine
imagine what an antenna from above could do to the head of a random passer-by or to the body of an expensive BMW.

Another thing - many people recommend grounding antennas installed on the roof,
however, some installers are vehemently opposed to this. I'm inclined to conclude that grounding the antenna still won't hurt.

Cable TV is limited to only a certain list of channels. Therefore, satellites are increasingly being used for leisure activities. We propose to consider how to set up a satellite dish yourself, what TV equipment is needed for this, as well as step-by-step installation of channels for dummies.

Antenna operating principle

A satellite dish is a dish-shaped type of parabolic antenna (multifield, Opticum AX 1000+, Maximum, Opticum X80 Premium, Orton X80, BIG BISAT), designed to receive microwaves from communication sources that transmit signals to television, radio, and sometimes Internet satellites (Intelsat 15, Intel, Eutelsat 36A/36B (36°E), TT-budget S-1401 SkyStar 3, Sky tv digital).

Photo - Satellite dish

The parabolic shape of the offset dish reflects the signal to the antenna at the focal point. A device called a horn feed (Satfinder) is attached to the dish coordinator; its adjustment is fully automatic. This part is essentially an amplifier, the front converter heads (LNB) collect the signals from the focal point and “drive” them to the down-converter block. The horn converts electromagnetic or radio wave signals into electrical waves and tunes their spectrum.

Now another amplification technology is actively used - winding a metal mesh or additional turns of wire on a plate (see photo). This setting helps increase the antenna's absorption capacity and sensitivity even to weak signals.

Photo - Amplifier on the antenna

Modern dishes intended for use in home television typically range in size from 43 cm to 80 cm in diameter, and are configured in one position to receive Ku-band from one orbital position. Before the existence of live broadcast satellite services, home users typically used a motorized C-band dish up to 3 meters in diameter to receive channels from different satellites. Overly small plates can cause network problems, but they have a longer shelf life, are easier to set up, and are durable.

Video: choosing a satellite dish installation location

How to set up a TV antenna

You can use a special device to adjust the direct focus satellite antenna (Amos-Amos, ASTRA, Rainbow, Sirius-Sirius, SkyStar USB 2 HD CI TechniSat, Supermax, Golden Interstar, Eurosky, General Lumax DV-728 FTA, STV), for example, This is a satellite dish tuner, they are very easy to install with your own hands. Let's look at the simplest and safest installation method, step-by-step instructions:

1. Prepare the antenna mount. For this purpose, you can use double suspension, construction mounting brackets (for areas with strong winds);

The double suspension of the motorcycle suspension is equipped with two telescopic rods that can be moved. They are optimized for receiving VHF signals. At that time, they are not the best solution for good reception on TVs or on a computer, because... are known for their ability to interrupt the signal.

Photo - Satellite dish on the roof

Sometimes you can mount the antenna on a rotating beam. In this case, reconfiguration will be carried out quickly and easily - it will be possible to connect from one satellite to another.

Note: if you live far from a city or village center, then you need to purchase the largest possible antenna, with a diameter of 80 centimeters or more, otherwise the signals will be interrupted.

1. Use a rotor for polarization. If the type of signal reception in your area is such that one channel is broadcast from the north and the other is broadcast to the west, then you may need an antenna rotor to make a double connection, thereby expanding the range. If there is no rotor, then you can take a compass;
2. It is also recommended to use a receiver (HD Continent-CHD-04, changhong dvb-s9000n, C-band, DRE, DRS, Globo 7010C-1CI, SVEC) to amplify signals;

If the angles are slightly different, or the platform is located quite close, then you can do without a rotor. If the angle of the satellites ABC (ABS, АВС) is more than 30 degrees, then you need to use a catcher. In addition, with the help of such a device, switching between satellites can be done without leaving home.

Photo - Offset antenna

1. Determine where the antenna is connected and configured to the TV, laptop, computer or other receivers. For a laptop, phone and TV, this will most likely be a USB compartment, while for TVs it will be the so-called “tulip”. This will probably be what is called the F (DVB) connector. There are older styles of connectors such as the Belling Lee or flat cut connector.

note: If you have an old type of connector, you need to visit a radio market or local TV store to get the correct adapter. Digital TVs have a dedicated input for digital reception (EUSTON 0.75 m), usually labeled "DTV" or "DTT". They will not be able to connect directly to legacy connectors.

1. Connect the antenna to your TV using RF coaxial cables (also known as the "F" wire). There are two installation options: screw it in using a threaded connection and plug it in like a regular adapter. It is worth noting that the threaded method is more reliable and practical.
2. Set up your TV, you can do it yourself. You will need to use the remote control, the TV setup menu (how to access it in certain models is described in the products of any company). The entry point is most likely labeled "Antenna", "Air" or "Air" on most Chinese TV devices.

Some TVs have multiple inputs: make sure you select the correct input during this procedure. If you have a cable and multiple inputs, you can set one input for the projector (optional) and the other as an antenna input.

Photo - Tricolor Antenna

1. Adjust the antenna. For signal purity and transmission quality, you need not only to adjust the polarity, but also to select the correct coordinates. You will need to scan through the channels from your TV tuner to see which channels are within range. If you see a unclear image, reinstall the antenna before the signal clears. Some antennas are motorized, saving you the hassle of climbing onto the roof to set up. Remember, some channels require special codes; we recommend that you obtain them from your service provider, or by directly contacting the press center of a particular channel (you can do this by mail or online chat).

Depending on which continent is needed, you can set the “manual” setting, the antenna will automatically find the signal based on the specified parameters, and depending on the range and power, you can change the filters. But before you start watching movies in this case, be sure to save the channels, check their operation and secure the antenna.

1. Find local online streaming venues. The broadcast location diagram for each channel (parameters of latitude, longitude, angle) can be easily found in Yandex or Google Map. If all channels are in the same direction (azimuth within 20 degrees +/- 1 degree), then it is easier to adjust the directional antenna.
2. The sun can do a bad job, especially in Crimea, Kazakhstan, Israel and other sunny territories. You need to do special shading.

In case you need different settings to get different channels, then:

• Write down not only how many channels were selected based on the test results, but which of them are called, as well as their parameters.
• Carry out a manual scan with the appropriate settings, add all channels in your TV menu, install an antenna for each channel.
• Some TVs can remember channels. You can install this feature and automatically find broadcasters. To check the list, use a special tester that comes with the antenna.

If you are the happy owner of a SMART-TV or want to connect a computer to an antenna, then you will need an express program for setting up a satellite dish (Fastsatfinder), it can be easily installed from a disk with your own hands, after which the device creates a telecard. The main advantage of this method: simplicity and speed, disadvantage: it can only be used on “smart” devices. Some extensions are even installed on Android and Linux.

Photo - Satellite dish design

Prices and companies

In any case, a specialist will be able to install the antenna faster and better than an amateur.

Also, many antenna owners do not want to “play” with its installation, and therefore we suggest considering how much it costs to set up and install a satellite dish in different cities of Russia and Ukraine. Price table, cost of installing an azimuth satellite dish 43 cm, 0.55-0.6:

City	Price, rubles
Almaty	2400
Barnaul	2500
Vladivostok	2500
Volgograd	2400
Donetsk	2500
Rostov-on-Don	2400
Ekaterinburg	2400
Zaporozhye	2500
Irkutsk	2400
Karaganda	2300
Kyiv	2500
Minsk	2500
Moscow	2500
Odessa	2400
Permian	2400
Samara	2300
Saint Petersburg	2500
Saratov	2400
Kharkiv	2400
Ulan Ude	2400
Novosibirsk	2500

Independent and professional setup of the satellite antenna Yamal (Yamal 201 90E), Tricolor TV Siberia (Tricolor), HotBird (HotBird), GAL, Orion, Samsung DSB-S300V is carried out within several hours, under normal weather conditions. The most popular models now are: SatelliteAntennaAlignment (Germany), ABS-1, LMI 75, ExpressAM2 80, Turksat 1C/2A 42E, Satgate, StrongSRT90 Multisat, HDHumaxVAHD-3100S, PBIDVR-1000S, Openbox®SF-20.

Every day more and more people are thinking about installing satellite dishes.

Many families prefer to switch to this way of watching their favorite channels and, moreover, they receive a fairly large number of additional ones.

However, here too many people support the myth that installing antennas is expensive and difficult.

You need to find a specialist, negotiate, wait, pay for installation, buy equipment. How long does it take to set up channels?

But not everyone can actually install an antenna on their own.

However, it is even easier to carry out the installation yourself if you know the algorithm of actions and use all the tools and recommendations correctly.

In addition, the installation of satellite dishes does not need to be coordinated with any authorities. Satellite broadcasting is free.

However, some of the digital channels are paid, and if you want to watch them, you will have to pay.

Usually key cards are sold for this. Remember that if you live in an apartment building, you will still need to coordinate the issue with the Housing Office.

If the antenna was installed on a balcony, and not on supporting structures, then there is no need to notify anyone.

But a balcony is not the best place for installation, since with a strong gust of wind you can completely lose the antenna.

If you apply for installation to a satellite broadcasting company, then they themselves negotiate with the housing office, otherwise the issue will fall on your shoulders.

For private houses the situation looks much simpler.

Operating principle and general information

Even if you install a satellite dish yourself, you will have to buy a device for tuning (tuner), the antenna itself, and mounting systems. Installing and tuning an antenna is not the easiest task.

However, given that many digital channels are free, the installation will pay for itself quickly.

A satellite dish allows you to watch channels in high quality, and their large selection speaks for itself.

The antenna's operation is based on receiving a signal from a satellite. After installation, the signal reaches the antenna mirror. It is reflected on the converter, which in turn sends a signal to the receiver device.

And through the receiver we see a full image on the TV screen.

In general, when faced with installation, it is worth remembering that there are two types of satellite dishes:

• Offset plate. It is not installed strictly towards the satellite, but slightly lower, since the signal is reflected from the dish to the converter at a certain angle. Most often, installing a satellite dish with your own hands, therefore, consists of positioning the device almost vertically, which also allows you to minimize precipitation on the surface;
• direct focus dishes are designed differently: the surface of the mirror is partially covered by a converter.

When purchasing antennas, be guided by its diameter. For convenient operation, it is enough to install satellite antennas with a diameter of about 90 centimeters.

If you yourself want to set up reception from several satellites at once, then the diameter is calculated from the degree distance of the satellites from each other.

The installation of the converter depends on its polarization. It can be circular or linear.

If it is assumed that the house needs installation on more than one TV, then the converter is purchased with several outputs.

Preparing for installation: what do you need to know?

Those who are wondering how to install a satellite dish should know that first a suitable location is selected for it.

Otherwise, the device will give a bad signal and “picture”. If there is a tree in the signal path, it may deteriorate. We always install the antenna to the southwest.

That is, on the spot you need to decide on the cardinal directions. Of course, orientation, and the installation itself, will be carried out correctly in sunny weather.

Because this way you can get the most accurate data, and also for reasons of convenience - installation in snow and rain is not very convenient.

There is no need to mount the antenna on a common rod under other devices, or on chimneys.

Under the roof canopy, if the windows face southwest, it is also better not to install it - it will simply result in an unclear signal.

In addition, for those who want to carry out the installation themselves, there are special services on the Internet that help determine on the map the best place for installation.

Before attaching the antenna, check the signal by simply holding it in your hands. This way you can understand how well the channels are broadcast.

Mounting the satellite dish correctly

To perform the installation correctly, the antenna must be assembled before installation.

There is no need to worry here; when buying a device (of course, not with your own hands), you can be sure that it comes with clear assembly instructions.

Since the number of parts is not too large, you can quickly figure out the assembly.

It is worth considering the strength of the walls and the material from which they are made. The more thoroughly you work on this issue, the greater the chances that the device will work for a long time and without any “shifts”.

Place the converters in the holder with the connectors facing down. Remember that moisture and snow should not get on them under any circumstances. The cables are connected to the converter using an F connector.

Make sure that the neck (the structure on which the antenna is supported) is installed strictly vertically in two planes.

We fasten the cable and all wire components securely and firmly, for this we use zip ties and electrical tape.

The F connector must be sealed during installation. We apply insulation with tape, in two layers and along the entire length. And a layer of sealant is also applied to the tape, most often silicone.

After checking the operation, install the satellite dish on the bracket and tighten all the bolts and nuts. The cable is also secured to the bracket using zip ties and firmly.

Setting up the antenna for clear reception

When the device is well secured and the installation is completed, the installation and subsequent configuration of the satellite dish is carried out.

We select the direction in which to turn the antenna using a compass, and the adjustment by monitoring the level on the receiver. A compass is also needed to set the azimuth level.

Usually the receiver already has a list of channels, or rather, the device is programmed for this list. To check, just select any channel from the list and navigate through it.

To change the reception level during installation, smoothly move the dish mirror in different directions around the reference point.

As a result, a quality indicator will appear in the form of a column and a clear image on the screen: without interference or freezes.

When turning the mirror, remember that the “picture” will arrive from the satellite in 5-10 seconds, so it is better to pause between turns.

In the receiver menu, find the “reception level” item and activate it. You need to achieve the maximum indicator.

The adjustment should be carried out in sunny weather. If there is rain and clouds, the signal, in principle, may be poor, and the settings will not be accurate.

And after all the checks satisfy you, you can fasten the nuts and firmly fix the satellite dish.

In general, a detailed description of the settings can be found in the tuner’s instructions, because each device may have its own installation nuances.

Always compare the firmware version with the official one (you can do it via the Internet).

After all, if the firmware is outdated or incorrect, you will not achieve a good signal from the satellite dish.

If the level is high, then you can individually add or remove digital channels from the list according to your own taste, and enjoy watching.

Selection of equipment and components

Many people think that the larger the diameter of the plate, the easier it will be to catch the channels during installation. The situation is just the opposite.

Good reception is achieved precisely by narrowing the diameter. Therefore, if a store recommends a “bigger” device to you, it’s better not to agree.

Satellite television is a good solution in country houses and low-rise buildings. Everywhere where cable TV and Internet television operators do not work. Satellite kits, including all the necessary equipment, can now be purchased even in supermarkets selling equipment and electronics. Once you have decided on the operator, the tariff and purchased the equipment, you must configure the satellite dish yourself or with the help of the operator’s technical specialist.

The essence of satellite TV technology is as follows:

• The signal is transmitted from a satellite above the Earth, moving in orbit, but not changing its position relative to the Earth.
• The satellite dish is pointed directly at the broadcasting satellite.
• The satellite signal focused by the antenna is transmitted to a converter, which turns it into electrical signal and transmits it to the receiver.
• The receiver can be external or built into the TV. All modern TVs are capable of receiving a signal from a converter without additional equipment.

The satellite antenna itself is universal and, with a sufficient diameter, is suitable for any operator. The only difference is in the equipment and its setup. The leading providers of satellite TV services in Russia are Tricolor and NTV+. They both broadcast from the same satellite, so their setup and installation will be similar.

Tricolor and NTV+ are paid and to access the found channels you need a special card, registration and payment for one of the types of subscriptions. But there are many satellites broadcasting free channels, including in Russian. You can choose and configure the antenna to one of them, or purchase several satellite dishes, or use the rotating mechanism for convenient reorientation.

Installation and configuration of a satellite dish for Tricolor and NTV+

Since Tricolor and NTV+ broadcast from the same satellite, the algorithm for installing, configuring and connecting the antenna to the TV will be the same:

• To begin, purchase a satellite dish of sufficient diameter.
• Buy equipment to receive a signal from a dish:

1. receiver and access card (for NTV+), from 5,000 rubles.
2. if you have a TV with a CL+ connector, then you can purchase a special module and card (for NTV+), from 3,000 rubles.
3. digital two-tuner receiver (for Tricolor, from 7,800 rubles) or a ready-made kit together with a Tricolor dish with a TV module (8,300 rubles) or a receiver that allows you to later connect 2 TVs (17,800 rubles).
4. You can purchase any receiver yourself, having first checked its compatibility with the operator’s signal on the website or in the technical support service.

• When all the equipment is ready, you can begin installation. For the European part of Russia, the satellite is located in the south, so the antenna must be installed on the southern part of the building.
• There should be no obstacles on the signal reception line. Try to mount the plate higher.
• Attach the bracket to the wall using anchor bolts. It should be screwed tightly and not wobble.
• Assemble the plate according to the instructions for it and secure it to the bracket.
• Place the converter on the special holder and attach the cable to it. It is better to install the converter with the connector down to avoid precipitation.
• Now you need to connect the receiver to the converter and the TV. If you are using a module, then insert it into a special connector, and connect the cable from the antenna to the TV.
• Turn on the TV and receiver. Antenna installation is complete. Next, you need to tune it exactly to the satellite and search for channels.

In the case of NTV+ and Tricolor, which broadcast from the same satellite, no additional equipment is required for setup. Once the south direction has been installed, make fine adjustments:

You can also use special tables that show the approximate location of the dish in angle and azimuth for different cities of Russia. Such tables are easy to find for Tricolor, NTV+, and, if desired, for other satellites.

Free satellite channels

In addition to Tricolor and NTV+, you can set up your antenna for other satellites that broadcast channels for free. To do this, you will need any receiver or TV with a built-in signal receiver. An access card and, accordingly, a module for the card are not needed, since you will tune in to unencrypted channels.

In Russia, you can connect the antenna to the following satellites:

• Astra 4a 4.8°E;
• AMOS 2/3 4°W;
• HotBird 13°E;
• ABS 1 /1A /1B, 75°E;
• Intelsat 15 85.2°E;
• Yamal 201 90°E.

The procedure for installation, configuration and connection is similar to that used with NTV+ and Tricolor. But in order to correctly point the antenna at the satellite, it is better to use a special program, for example Satellite Antenna Alignment.

Satellite Antenna Alignment can be downloaded free of charge for non-commercial use from the official website http://www.al-soft.com/saa/satinfo.shtml. Main characteristics and rules for using the program:

1. Launch the program and enter the coordinates of your location in the Site Location window. You can find out these coordinates on any smartphone or tablet with GPS or on special websites on the Internet.
2. A list of satellites with azimuth and tilt coordinates will be displayed on the left.
3. If the angle values ​​are negative, it means that the satellite is below the horizon and communication with it is impossible.
4. Using the program data, you can easily set the antenna position without a compass. The “sun adjustment” function is designed for this:

• Select the satellite you want to point the dish at.
• Go to the Sun's Azimuth tab.
• On the right side of the window you will see the current position of the sun. Here the program calculates on what day and time the position of the sun will coincide with the position of the satellite.
• At the indicated time, simply point the antenna towards the sun.

By entering your satellite dish data in the Offset antenna tab, you can accurately determine the level of inclination you need.

Satellite Antenna Alignment - program window

After you have pointed the antenna to the desired satellite, you need to connect it to the TV and configure it as indicated above. To make it easier to tune to a strong signal, you can use a device such as a satellite finder. You can buy a simple switch for around 400–500 rubles, or you can buy a more expensive one with a display and various functions, their price starts from 2000 rubles. To use Satfinder:

1. Connect the satellite finder between the converter and the receiver approximately 1–1.5 meters from the converter. The cable from the converter is connected to the LNB connector, and the one that goes to the receiver is connected to the REC connector.
2. Go to the receiver’s “Signal Level” menu.
3. Proceed with fine tuning, following the movements of the arrow on the satellite finder. If the direction is correct, the arrow will move to higher values.

These are the basic rules that you need to follow in order to successfully install, connect and configure a satellite dish yourself. The procedure is simple, but it will save you money that you would have paid for a specialist to visit you. The main thing is to handle the antenna carefully, securely fasten it in the correct position and follow all steps of the installation instructions. Share your ideas in the comments on how else you can simplify the process of installing and configuring a satellite dish in an apartment or house.

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Television has long been an integral part of life. Even in villages you will rarely find a house where there is no TV installed. Moreover, broadcasting of channels can occur in different ways: through a stretched cable or satellite. Broadcasting capabilities via cable are limited and the quality of the channels is worse. Therefore, many consumers are thinking about how to set up a satellite dish themselves, so as not to spend money on calling a technician.

Installed antenna

In space, at the level of the Earth's equator, television satellites rotate, which send a signal to the planet, where it is received by special devices - antennas, and then this signal is decoded on a TV set-top box and transmits an image.

In this case, the satellite antenna acts as a kind of lens that collects radio waves into one beam, amplifying it for stable reception. Moreover, the further the satellite is located from the equipment, the larger the dish diameter required.

Accordingly, without high-quality receiving equipment, the signal will not reach the TV. Therefore, it is important to choose the right dish, the signal from which enters the convector, then is converted and goes to the receiver, and only then hits the screen.

The receiver is installed close to the TV. The number and clarity of transmitted channels depends on the power and quality of this equipment. The installed software allows you to “catch” and recognize a huge number of TV programs. By updating the receiver's firmware version, you can gain access to new channels.It is such affordable and high-quality television that gives rise to the question of how to set up a satellite dish yourself, and then TV channels.

How to install a satellite dish yourself (instructions for dummies)

In order not to assemble a set for satellite TV in parts, you can buy it in a specialized store or order it online. Models are updated, you shouldn’t take one that is too outdated. This package includes the following elements:

After purchasing the equipment, the question arises of how to independently install a satellite dish on the roof or outside the window.

Related article:

How to make a DIY antenna for a TV. In this article we will look at simple methods on how to make a DIY antenna for a TV, which may be useful to you.

Selecting a location

First, assemble the antenna itself according to the instructions. Check the tightness of all bolts and nuts. Leave only one fastening loosely twisted (to the convector itself), which will be responsible for the vertical slope.

The convector must be mounted in the middle, watch its length. The cable outlet should be positioned perpendicular to the ground. Complete consolidation occurs after receiving a clear signal and sufficient power.

Now you need to select the installation location. Usually mounted on a wall or roof. The sun will fall on the desired side at lunchtime. You can see how your neighbors have the same equipment installed.

Most dishes are directed in one direction, most often it is 56 degrees east longitude (Trikalor and NTV plus). If you connect to Rainbow TV, the equipment will be directed slightly to the left (19⁰). Continent TV and Telekarata is set to 85⁰.

When you choose the direction and installation location, you need to check that the signal is not interfered with by foreign objects, that is, nothing should block the antenna. After all checks, you can proceed to the stage of securing the equipment.

Bracket Installation

The bracket must be firmly fixed, and different bolts are used for different walls. For brick, concrete or wood walls, a plumbing screw with a 17 or 13 head is suitable. If you are using a standard antenna with a diameter of 90 s, then a screw length of 6 cm is sufficient.

You can simply screw a screw into wood; for concrete or brick, first make a hole with a hammer drill, and install dowels in bulk.

Important! If you are mounting satellite equipment on foam concrete or aerated concrete, then purchase suitable dowels.

If the home is sheathed with siding, then longer plumbing bolts will be required, and spacers made of metal tubes will also be installed. First, prepare holes of the required diameter, then make spacers and install the antenna.

You can also fix the equipment on a metal beam; for this you should use metal screws with a special drill with a hexagonal head.When the equipment is assembled, but the last bolt is not yet tightened tightly, it is necessary to check the signal quality. To do this, use a device for setting up a satellite dish; you can do the setup without it, with your own hands.

Related article:

Bracket for TV on the wall, rotating and retractable. In the article we will look at the application features, types of devices, secrets of selection and installation.

How to set up a satellite dish yourself: checking the satellite signal

When the antenna is mounted on the roof, all that remains is to connect the cable to the receiver and make the settings, but it is at this stage that the question arises of the correct direction of the dish on the roof.

You can constantly go down and check the signal on the receiver, or lift a portable TV onto the roof and check it on it. But there is a much simpler option: buy a special device to check the satellite signal without leaving the antenna itself.

If you decide to save money, consider how to set up a satellite dish without a device yourself:

• Connect the power cable (220W) to the plate.
• Next install the receiver that was included in the kit.
• Bring a portable TV to the inspection site.
• Connect everything according to the diagram and check by adjusting the direction of the plate.

If you don’t want to drag everything upstairs, then it’s still worth buying a device, while the tuner and TV will remain in their places. Data about the incoming signal will be displayed on the device screen. In this case, the power for this equipment comes from the receiver, so all that remains is to adjust the direction of the plate itself.

The simplest options display a scale on the screen and sound signals; more expensive ones will display the frequency and range, which will allow you to quickly adjust the direction of the antenna.

Connecting and setting up the satellite dish tuner yourself

Before moving on to the answer to the question of how to set up channels on a satellite dish, you should connect the tuner to the TV yourself. To do this, you can use several options from manufacturers.

Table 1. Connecting the tuner to the TV yourself

How	Image
Make the connection using a standard HDMI cable; the necessary connector is found in almost all modern TVs.
Sometimes the kit may include a scart-scart cable (comb).
One of the most common ways to connect a tuner and TV is with tulips. Insert by color into the corresponding connectors on the back or front of the TV.
Another version of tulips Y, Pb, Pr can also be found in the configuration.
The last option is to connect via coaxial cable using RF OUT.

Having connected the equipment and turned it on to the network, go directly to setting up channels on the TV. To do this, first press the menu button on the tuner remote control. If nothing happens on the TV screen, something is connected incorrectly or not included in the network.