Satellite TV Dish


After choosing your satellite TV provider, you'll need to purchase a satellite dish that includes LNB (low-noise block down-converter).

The dish itself should carry the name brand of the service provider, while the part of the dish called LNB is specific to the service you subscribe to. So, you won't be able to use a Dish Network dish/LNB to receive DirectTV. You can buy them at most consumer electronics stores including Radio Shack as either a dish-receiver combo or just the dish itself. Look to the satellite provider for specials found on their website, as sometimes you can get a starter kit for free.
The satellite dish reflects a faint signal from a geosynchronous orbit satellite into the LNB, which then amplifies the signal to the satellite receiver through a coaxial cable. If you plan on using HDTV you'll need a special LNB or two LNBs connected to the dish.

The dish should be assembled and mounted securely to your rooftop or some other solid surface. The assembly the dish is mounted to can be adjusted to tune in the satellite signal. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, only basic tools are required using materials provided with the dish.

The owners manual should give you all the information you need, including the azimuth you'll need your dish to follow from your geographic region and even a small compass to measure the azimuth, the angular position along the horizon you'll need to point the dish. Your satellite receiver will have a signal strength indicator to let you know when you've honed in, and there are convenient and inexpensive handheld signal strength meters. If you're not so confident with the installation, most satellite TV hardware dealers will have a local contractor who can connect everything for a reasonable price.

Be sure and determine whether or not any holes will need to be drilled into your house and decide on the best strategy to get the cable to the receiver and your TV. If you're hiring contractors to do the install, inquire whether or not they're prepared to drill this hole for you and, if not, make other arrangements to complete the installation.