Get additional digital-television channels by installing a Hotbird satellite system.
Installing a satellite television system is one way to get a wider choice of TV and radio stations. The Hotbird group of digital satellites transmit thousands of "free-to-air" and subscription television and radio channels to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. To view Hotbird channels, install a satellite dish pointing at 13 degrees east in the sky and connect it to a satellite TV decoder with digital-grade coaxial cable. Buy a Hotbird satellite installation kit that includes all the equipment you need to fit the system, including satellite dish, Low Noise Block (LNB) converter, mast and mounting bracket.
Instructions
1. Survey your house or apartment to find a suitable satellite dish installation site. In most cases this will be an exterior wall with a clear view toward the Hotbird satellite group at 13 degrees east in the sky. Use a "satellite locator" website to find the correct direction.
2. Calculate the length of coaxial cable required to connect the satellite receiver to the dish. Allow 3 feet of extra cable as an error margin.
3. Install coaxial cable from the satellite receiver to the dish site. Use an electric drill to bore passage holes through walls. Firmly secure the cable in place with cable clamps.
4. Access the dish site safely with a raised platform, ladder or steps.
5. Attach the dish mounting bracket to the wall using the supplied fixings. Place a spirit level across the top edge of the bracket to ensure that it is perfectly straight. Fix the dish mast pole to the bracket with the supplied clamps and bolts.
6. Climb down from the ladder or platform to ground level. Assemble the LNB and satellite dish by carefully following the manufacturer's assembly instructions.
7. Fix the satellite dish to the mast with the mount and screws or bolts provided. Leave the screws loose enough to allow you to move and align the dish.
8. Align your satellite dish with a satellite signal meter and compass. Rest the compass on the dish arm and move the dish from left to right, until the dish arm is pointing at the correct position. Adjust the dish vertically to the correct reception angle. (Get this from the satellite locator website.)
9. Connect the satellite signal meter to the LNB, following the manufacturer's instructions. Move the dish slowly, horizontally and vertically, until the satellite signal meter shows the strongest signal level on the meter's display.
10. Secure the dish in place by tightening all screws and bolts. Detach the signal meter from the LNB.
11. Attach a coaxial cable connector to the satellite dish end of the cable. Connect this to the LNB output jack. Weatherproof the jack/cable connection by applying waterproof tape or covering it with the supplied rubber sheath.
12. Fix a coaxial cable connector to the satellite receiver end of the cable. Connect this to the signal input socket of your satellite receiver.
Tags: satellite dish, coaxial cable, satellite receiver, signal meter, Hotbird satellite, satellite signal, satellite signal meter
