DIRECTV Multi-Satellite Dish Antenna User Manual
Introduction
Your DIRECTV Multi-Satellite Dish antenna is designed for use with up to four independently operating DIRECTV Receivers. Along with your receiver User Manual, this guide will provide the information you’ll need to successfully install and operate your DIRECTV System. Throughout the manual, the DIRECTV Multi-Satellite Dish antenna will be referred to as the “antenna.” For best results, we suggest you read carefully through these pages first before beginning installation. The guide is intended for an individual experienced in performing the various tasks described, including:
- Determining an antenna location with a good southerly view of the satellites
- Climbing a ladder and working on your roof
- Observing safe working practices around heights and electrical hazards
- Determining if there are water pipes, gas lines, or wiring hidden near where you may drill
- Using a power drill to drill holes into your house
- Routing coaxial cable(s) through the foundation, wall, under-floor, attic, or interior walls
- Safely lifting and securing the 20-lb. antenna assembly
- Grounding the antenna and cable(s) as recommended in the National Electric Code (NEC)*
NOTE:
If you don’t feel completely comfortable with these tasks, simply contact the store where you purchased the system for information on having your system installed by a local authorized DIRECTV installer.
Safety Information
Local building and electrical codes (NEC) require the antenna and the coaxial cables to be connected to a grounding electrode. Improper installation may seriously damage the equipment or the building, as well as cause injury or death to you. For your own safety, follow these important safety rules or contact a licensed inspector or electrician in your area for assistance:
- If you will be mounting your antenna in a location where it will be difficult or dangerous to view the attached bubble level, use a small mirror or plumbing level instead. DO NOT risk falling.
- Perform as many functions as possible on the ground
- Do not install the antenna on a rainy, snowy, or windy day
- Make sure there are no people, pets, etc. below when you are working on the roof
- Watch out for power lines that may be overhead, underground, and/or hidden behind walls, keeping safely clear of them with ladders, antenna, and tools during installation.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ruled that a local government or homeowner’s association may not prevent the installation of satellite antennas one meter or smaller in diameter unless legitimate safety restrictions such as fire codes are in effect. Call FCC tel: (202) 418-0163; FCC Web sites at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/satellite.html or http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html for more information.
Antenna Assembly Overview
Contents of Package
Tools Required
Optional Accessories (not included
Typical installation kits (sold separately) include:
- Mast base mounting hardware
- RG 6 coaxial cable(s) with F connectors
- Grounding hardware, grounding wire, wire clips, etc.
- 6″ plumbing level
Determining Coordinates for Aiming Antenna
The coordinates (Azimuth, Elevation, and Tilt numbers) are based on your ZIP code and can be determined easily by using your receiver. You will need these numbers for the site survey and antenna adjustments. NOTE: The antenna does not need to be installed for this step.
Connect your receiver to the TV
Consulting your receiver manual, connect the receiver’s video or Channel 3/4 outputs to the corresponding TV input. Turn on the TV and the receiver.
Set the antenna type
Navigate to the antenna installation screen menu. Select installation as an “oval 3-sat” (some receiver brands may call it: “triple”, “3 sat location”, “Sat 1,2,3” or “Sat A, B, C”).
Find your coordinates
Navigate to the antenna-pointing menu screen. Enter your ZIP code, then write down the numbers in the space provided below.
Finding a Suitable Antenna Site
A suitable antenna site requires an unobstructed view of the southern sky, a stable antenna mounting surface, a distance of 100 feet or less for RG 6 cable from your antenna to your receiver, and grounding nearby. NOTE: It’s important to estimate the cable length at this point. The DIRECTV satellites are located in the southern sky above the Equator. The location for your antenna must have elevation-angle clearance (above the horizon) and 18° span clearance (from 101° to 119°) for an unobstructed view of all three satellite locations.
Northern border states have elevation readings toward 30° and southern border states toward 60°. NOTE: If you are replacing an 18″ dish with a new Multi-Satellite Dish Antenna, be sure to check for the required 18º clearance. If you do not have the required clearance, you should use a different location.
Due to the many configurations possible, mast-mounting hardware is not included. Be sure you have the necessary mounting hardware before you begin. Optional mounting kits are available at your local electronics store. Below are potential mounting sites.
Installing EZALIGN™ Mast
Now, you’re ready to install the antenna mast at the location you’ve chosen in Step 2 and align it to be plumb (perfectly straight up). Plumbing the mast is critical for the Multi-Satellite Dish antenna to receive optimal signals, and failure to align it properly will result in difficulty acquiring signals as well as a greater tendency for signal outages in adverse weather.
Mount the base securely The mast base must be sturdy so the antenna does not shift under various weather conditions and its own weight. Mounting is preferable on wood or masonry. Unsuitable sites may be handrails, aluminum or vinyl siding, composite paneling, and fiber/particle/strand boards.
Align the mast
- The EZALIGN Mast pivots up and down, and from side to side. A bubble level is located at the top of the mast to assist in alignment.
- Loosen the four-mast bolts slightly. Then move the mast up/down or twist side-to-side until the bubble in the bubble level is centered as shown on the left. CAUTION! If the mast is mounted in a location where it is difficult or dangerous to view the bubble level, use a small mirror or plumbing level instead. DO NOT reach out and risk falling from the roof or other high places.
Tighten mast bolts
When the mast is straight up (plumbed), and while still keeping hold of the mast, tighten the four bolts with a 7/16″ nut driver with your other hand. Make sure the bolts are secure. You may want to tighten it further with an adjustable wrench.
Assembling/Adjusting Antenna on Ground
On even ground, attach the dish to the LNB Arm/Antenna Back Assembly as shown. Leave off the Triple-head LNB until the antenna is mounted on the mast and you’ve routed the cable through the LNB Arm.
Set Tilt Adjustment
- At the back of the antenna assembly, loosen the Tilt nuts and then set the Tilt adjustment according to the coordinate number you obtained in Step 1.
- Tighten the Tilt nuts. Do not change the Tilt adjustment again from this point on (even if you cannot find the satellite signal during alignment). Unlike the Elevation and Azimuth coordinates, there is no need to fine-tune Tilt; doing so may cause alignment difficulty.
Set Elevation Adjustment
- At the side of the antenna assembly, loosen the two Elevation nuts (one on each side) and preliminarily set the Elevation adjustment, per the coordinate number obtained in Step 1.
- Tighten the Elevation nuts, but not completely. This is a preliminary adjustment, which you may have to fine-tune later on.
Attaching Antenna to Mast
- Slide the back of the antenna assembly onto the top of the mast until it stops at the pivot bolt. If necessary, slightly loosen the two Azimuth/Mast clamp bolts and pivot bolts so the antenna will go onto the mast.
- Tighten the two Azimuth/Mast clamp bolts and the pivot bolt just enough so the antenna has only side-to-side movement (rotational swing around the mast) for later Azimuth alignment in Step 9.
Routing RG 6 Cable(s)
You’ll route the RG 6 cable from your receiver to the cable grounding block, then from the grounding block to the triple-head LNB. Before starting, inspect the inside of each cable connector for foreign materials and/or shorts. Make sure that the copper center conductor is straight and centered in the connector.
Run the cable from the receiver Verify that there are no wires or pipes blocking the location where you want to feed the coaxial cables into your home. Drill a 1/2″ inch hole for each cable. Connect the cable to the “Sat In” jack on the back of your receiver. To prevent short, leave the receiver unplugged until Step 9. Connect to the grounding block Mount the grounding block close to the point of cable entry into the house. Connect the cable to the grounding block as shown.
Grounding Cable and Antenna
Grounding the antenna and cable grounding block helps protect the satellite receiver system and other components from lightning damage.
- The ground wire can be attached anywhere on the metal part of the antenna, but there is a convenient grounding screw at one side of the mast base. Installation should comply with local codes and the National Electric Code (NEC, Sections 250 and 810).
- Grounding point can be outside metal cold water pipe at the point of entry (no gas or hot water pipes), 8-foot ground rod, grounded metallic service raceway, grounded electric service equip enclosure, etc. Option #1: Both ground wires go to the same ground point. If the two grounding points are different, a #6 copper wire should be connected between them. Option #2: The dish antenna grounding wire goes to the grounding block first, then to the grounding point.
Attaching LNB to Antenna
The triple-head LNB has four identical outputs, each supporting one independently operating receiver. To simplify future installation of additional receiver(s), you may want to route more cables to the antenna at this point. Only one cable is needed for antenna fine-tuning and alignment.
- RG 6 cable from the grounding block can now be routed to the LNB on your antenna. Attach the triple-head LNB onto the LNB Arm and fasten it with included mounting hardware (Philip screws and nuts). Dress cable with enclosed tie wraps, allowing for cable water drip loop if necessary.
Aiming and Fine-tuning Antenna
When you fine-tune the antenna to one satellite, the other two satellites should be aligned automatically. Plug in and turn on your receiver.
- Use the on-screen signal strength meter to fine-tune the antenna. It is important to obtain the strongest signal possible; the higher the signal strength, the less likely you are to experience signal outages during adverse weather.
- With a cell phone and house phone, ask someone to relay signal strength values to you, or hook up a portable TV at the installation site. Your receiver may be equipped with an audible beep tone feature; the higher the pitch, the higher the signal. A hand-held signal meter is also an option.
Align the Azimuth
- Set your on-screen menu to the signal meter mode, on Satellite A (101°). Use a transponder that is unique to Sat A (such as 1 – 6, 16) for your alignment. Point the antenna to a generally southerly direction, or use the Azimuth number obtained in Step 1 and a compass for a more precise starting point.
- Very slowly rotating the antenna around the mast a few degrees at a time, pause 3 – 5 seconds in between for signal strength meter update. You should be able to find the satellite signal first and then the signal peak, indicated on your screen. Once you sweep through the peak-signal point on the screen, stop. You may want to swing past the peak point a couple of times to make sure.
- Mark the mast and antenna bracket point with a pencil.
Verify Azimuth alignment
Switch to Sat B (119°) on your on-screen menu, using Transponders 23, 25, 29 or 31. Verify that signal is also peaked at 119° by very slightly rotating the antenna around the penciled marking on the mast. Once satisfied, tighten the two Azimuth/Mast clamp bolts. NOTE: Sat B (119°) signal strength may read differently than Sat A (101°) signal strength, depending on the satellite transmission patterns in the area. You only need to see whether Sat B (119°) is peaked and not try to compare signal strength numbers. It’s OK to be close but not at the peaks for both locations simultaneously.
Fine-tune the Elevation
Use Sat B (119°) or Sat A (101°) on-screen signal meter. While holding the LNB Arm, slightly loosen the two Elevation nuts. Move it up/down slightly and observe the signal strength on the screen. Find the peak and tighten the two Elevation nuts. Verify satellite signals Confirm the final signal-peak readings at all three satellite locations. Sat C (110°, Transponders 8, 10, and 12.) should be aligned automatically.
NOTE 1:
Occasionally, you may see a transponder at Sat A (101°), Sat B (119°), or Sat C (110°) not active, it is possible that this transponder is reserved for upcoming programming expansion. Switch to other transponders at the same satellite location to verify that you have good readings and that your antenna alignment is satisfactory.
NOTE 2:
In most of the U.S., the Tilt Adjustment should be fixed. However, because of the large Tilt angle to the 119° satellite in Eastern Seaboard states, a small amount of Tilt fine-tuning adjustment may improve 119° signal strength without significantly changing the 101° signal reading. For these states, the following Tilt fine-tuning procedures are recommended:
- Follow alignment procedures from Step 1 through Step 9; tighten Elevation and Mast clamp bolts.
- Fine-tune Tilt Adjustment first by +3 degrees and then –3 degrees. Tilt is optimized when you see the 101° signal reading essentially unchanged and the 119° signal strength improved by several points. Set the Tilt to the optimized point and tighten the Tilt nuts.
Troubleshooting Check List for Initial Installation
If the signal is not found, be sure the receiver user manual and the antenna installation manual have been properly followed. Check to:
- Make sure all cable connections are correct and each connection is seated/tightened properly.
- Inspect the inside of each cable connector for dirt or possible connector to case/shield short.
- Verify the Azimuth, Elevation, and Tilt angles for your location by ZIP code. Make sure the Tilt and Elevation pointers are aligned correctly to the scales. Do not use a washer or bolt as a reference.
- Make sure the Tilt adjustment is not changed from the recommended setting for the antenna location.
- Make sure the bubble-level frame inside the mast is seated properly, then check the mast alignment again. The mast not being plumb/up straight is a major cause of alignment difficulty.
- Remove existing TV-specific components, such as TV splitter, etc; reduce the installation to the basic connections called out in this guide. Such components may not work with the satellite signal and they may be in the wall where you can’t see them. When in doubt, run the RG 6 cable directly to your receiver.
- Make sure there are no obstructions (trees, buildings, windows, corners, or overhang of your roof, your body, or your hands) — the signal does not pass leaves, branches, glass, etc. Also, keep in mind the 18° span clearance to receive all three satellite locations. This required clearance may also mean you’ll need to consider a new location when replacing an old 18″ dish with this new Multi-Satellite Dish Antenna.
- Your triple-head LNB depends on the receiver to supply power; the longer the cable length to the LNB, the greater the DC voltage drop. Your receiver depends on the antenna to supply the signal; the longer the cable length, the greater the signal amplitude attenuation. Therefore, RG 6 cable length much longer than 100 feet (from each receiver to the antenna) should be avoided.
- RG 6 cable with solid copper center conductor is highly recommended because it has a much lower DC voltage drop compared to RG 6 cable with a copper-coated, steel center conductor.
- Standard RG 59 cable causes too much DC drop and signal drop; it can not be used to pass the satellite signal. RG 6 coaxial cable must be used. Some after-market, off-the-shelf add-on components may not be as advertised. They might not work or could cause additional DC drops and signal amplitude attenuation. Remove such components, go back to the basic connections called out in this manual, and re-verify.
Loss of Signal/Rain Fade
- The satellite signal may be lost temporarily due to unusually heavy rainfall. An optimally aligned antenna, along with the shortest possible cable run, minimizes the chances of “rain fade.”
- Make sure the antenna is mounted securely to prevent it from being blown out of alignment in a heavy wind.
- Heavy snow accumulation on the LNB and the antenna may reduce the satellite signal strength; snow should be swept away as soon as possible.
- Tree foliage growth into the antenna’s line-of-sight to the satellite may result in a gradual loss of picture.
Installation with Long Cable Run
- For installations where the RG 6 cable runs from the receiver(s) to the LNB far exceeds 100 feet (150 feet or more), as encountered in a commercial or multi-dwelling building, you need to use an AC power booster module to bias the LNB.
- You will also need an additional RF signal amplifier to compensate the signal amplitude loss. Otherwise, your antenna and receiver may not work properly and be subject to frequent outages in adverse weather. Contact a professional concerning such installations.
