Connecting a satellite dish yourself, the procedure for setting up and installing

Reception of a signal from a satellite is possible thanks to special equipment, the main part of which is a satellite dish. Depending on its setting, type, correct installation and connection, the quality of signal reception will be determined. To install the device, you can contact a specialized company, but if there is no desire or such the company is simply not around, then there is nothing left to do but connect the satellite dish yourself.

Arrangement of satellite antennas

Satellite TV allows you to receive a high-quality TV signal. This transmission method is used as a repeater by artificial earth satellites. The signal from the TV center is received by the satellite and transmitted to the consumer's receiving equipment. Compared to terrestrial meter television, a satellite provides a reception area with a high-quality signal of large areas that are difficult to reach for reception by terrestrial means. Recently, satellite television has become the most common method of watching terrestrial TV channels from around the world.

The principle of operation of a satellite receiver resembles a mirror with a lens. Due to its shape, it collects radio signals and focuses them into one point. The antenna is shaped like a parabolic dish. Using the law, which says that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, radio waves, reflected from the surface of the antenna, are directed to its middle. At the intersection of all reflected waves, a special device is installed - a converter.

The converter consists of an irradiator and an electronic module. The illuminator, focusing the signal, directs it to the electronic module. The electronic device converts the electromagnetic signal and sends it to the receiver via a special coaxial cable. The receiver, called the receiver, already transmits the signal directly to the TV.

The standard parts that make up a satellite dish are as follows:

• plate;
• converter;
• multifeed;
• bracket.

Multifid is a device designed to simultaneously pick up signals from several satellites to one antenna. Its design includes a commutator and a set of converter sensors, and in appearance resembles a simple holder. By changing the location of the converters on it, an improvement in signal reception is achieved.

The bracket is designed for high-quality fastening of the entire structure of the receiver in the selected installation location. It is made of high-strength material to withstand the weight of the device and resist the effects of atmospheric agents. Its main characteristics are the number of attachment points and the amount of removal.

The main types of structures

The materials used to make a satellite dish dish are plastic, polymer and fiberglass. The advantage of such materials is their low weight and corrosion resistance. The signal travels through these materials unobstructed. In order for it to be reflected, the antenna surface is covered with a thin layer foil or metal mesh.

Dimensions and shapes of the reflective surface antennas may vary. In its form, it can be:

• offset;
• direct focus.

Offset plates have an oval shape, and the converter or multifeed is located in its lower part on a special rod. Rectangular ones are produced in a round shape, with a mounting of the receiving device in the center on three rails. The first type of antenna is convenient to use where it is not possible to direct the dish so that the central axis is perpendicular to the direction to the satellite.

The key parameter, regardless of the shape of the cymbal, is its size. The larger it is in size, the stronger the level signal it can transmit to the converter. The fact is that when the received signal is amplified, if it is weak, the noise level will also increase, and this will lead to a loss of image quality. To calculate the minimum tray diameter, you should be aware of the limits of the satellite transmission level.

Cymbal installation procedure

Before installing the satellite dish, you will need to assemble it. Each antenna kit comes with detailed assembly instructions. The main parts are the antenna mirror, connectors and fasteners.

After assembling the antenna, you must install it correctly. To do this, fix the bracket, and hang a plate on it, directing it into the satellite's view area. The antenna can be mounted on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. It will be important to conduct grounding. It will help protect your equipment in the event of a lightning strike.

After the antenna is hung, it is necessary to correctly point it to the required satellites. To determine the position of satellites, you can use specialized programs, for example, SMW Link, SATTV 2.0, Satellite Antenna Alignment. It is also possible to use online calculators. To carry out the calculations, you will need to know the coordinates of the inhabited place, i.e. latitude and longitude. The initial position of the antenna is selected approximately. Fine direction adjustments will be made later, when the rest of the satellite TV system is connected.

Having learned which satellites are in the line of sight, you need to determine which of them the satellite dish will be tuned to. Depending on this, it is chosen antenna according to the following characteristics:

1. Frequency range. The type of converter depends on this parameter, and hence the dimensions of the satellite dish.
2. Polarization type. The characteristic influences the choice of the receiver.
3. Encoding type. If encryption is present in the satellite transmitter, then it is necessary that the satellite receiver be able to decode the incoming signal.

Using the information about the angles of tilt and rotation, the orientation of the antenna begins. Professionals use a special device for this., but in the case of an independent connection, you can get by with a compass and a protractor. The compass is used to find the direction to the south. Using a protractor, the horizontal and vertical direction of the satellite is determined.

Connecting a signal receiver consists in connecting all parts of the device. For this, various types of connectors and cables are used.

To watch satellite TV, in addition to the antenna, you will need:

1. Receiver (tuner). Receives a signal from the converter with its further decoding.
2. Cable (coaxial). Designed to transmit a signal between parts of the system.
3. DiSEq (disc). Serves for the ability to connect multiple antennas to the tuner.
4. Connectors (F-ki). They are installed on a cable to connect various units of the system.
5. Wire for connecting the tuner to the TV. There are various variations, for example, composite, SCART, HDMI.

Coaxial cable connection

To connect the receiving device to the receiver, a coaxial cable with a characteristic impedance is used, equal to 75 Om. When laying the cable, it is necessary to avoid twisting it and the formation of right angles when cornering. A coupler is used to connect two pieces of wire.

After laying the wire from the installation site of the satellite receiver to the satellite receiver, the connectors are put on the cable. For this, the end of the wire is stripped at a distance of 15 mm from the edge. Then, bending the braiding back, the central core (about 12 mm) is freed from the insulation. Putting the connector on the wire, screw it clockwise around the braid. One end of the wire is connected through connectors to the converter (if there are several of them, they are combined into one using DiSEq), and the other end is connected to the receiver.

Fine adjustment of the position

For fine tuning, you will need to turn on the TV and receiver. The required satellite is selected in the tuner settings, for which its name or frequency, speed and polarization are indicated. The TV will display two bars, one of which indicates the presence of a signal, the other - its strength.

Smooth movements horizontally look for the position at which the signal quality bar will be maximum. If there is no signal, the vertical position of the antenna changes. After that, the best position is again sought by turning the antenna horizontally. When the signal quality is about 40%, the satellite dish can already be screwed on tightly. Further adjustment is carried out by setting the converter position, there are special marks on it for this. A quality signal is considered to be 60-80%.

The following basic rules for setting the position are highlighted:

1. It is not recommended to tune the antenna while standing directly in front of it, as the human body prevents the passage of a weak radio signal.
2. The swivel movement of the cymbal should be smooth. The electronic blocks of the tuner cannot work instantly to change the position of the cymbal, so it takes time to display the signal quality.
3. It is better to perform fine tuning actions with two people or take a tuner and a small television receiver with you to the antenna. This is necessary in order to see the dynamics of change when the receiving device turns.
4. After the position is tuned to the satellite, the receiver automatically searches for channels. Once a satisfactory result is obtained, all fasteners are tightened as much as possible.

The end of the work will be to secure the cable. For this, screeds are used. It is not difficult to configure and connect a satellite device yourself. To do this, you will need to be attentive, accurate and slow. Careful preparation will help to facilitate the work, during which the sequence of actions and the required equipment will be determined. The result of the actions will be a long-term service of the satellite device without repair and maintenance.