DirecTV HIRD-B2, User Manual

Page: 27 / 92

INSTALLING AND POINTING YOUR SATELLITE DISH
P
AGE
4-3
Choosing the Antenna
Installation Site
WARNING
For your own safety, follow these important safety rules:
•
Perform as many functions as possible on the ground.
•
Do not install the antenna on a rainy or windy day.
•
If you start to drop the antenna or mast assembly, get away
from it and let it fall.
Perform the following steps to select the best site to install the antenna:
1) Go to the location where you plan to install the antenna.
2) Using a compass like the one shown, hold the compass level so that the needle can rotate
freely. When the needle stops rotating, it will be pointing north.
Doing so carefully so as not to disturb the needle, rotate the body of
the compass so that the 0° or N marks printed on the compass align
with the painted end of the needle. The compass is now aligned with
magnetic north.
Note: Large metal structures, such as air conditioning units and steel
beams near the compass may greatly reduce its accuracy. If you are
near such structures, move several feet away and repeat the
measurement to verify the readings.
3) Draw an imaginary line from the center of the compass to the
azimuth value you recorded above. This is the direction for pointing
the antenna toward the satellites. Use a rock or some other object to
mark the location where you are standing; then pick a landmark in
the distance that aligns with the magnetic azimuth bearing, or mark
the azimuth in some way.
4) Verify that there are no obstructions (such as buildings or trees)
blocking the view to the satellite, as shown in the diagram.
Remember that trees that are small now or do not have leaves could grow to ultimately block
the clear line of sight.
5) Make sure that the site you have chosen is not where people or equipment could hit the
antenna.