RCA DIRECTV, Installer'S Manual

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Chapter 1 5
Preparing for Installation
Should I Do This Myself?
While the installation is not difficult, it does require that you have some experience in
electrical wiring and minor construction techniques. Also, you may have to climb a
ladder, so you’ll want to be comfortable working at heights.
Depending on how you install the DIRECTV ® Multi-Satellite dish, you may be required
to:
• Use power tools to drill holes in your house.
• Determine where utilities such as water pipes, electrical wiring, or gas lines are
hidden within walls.
• Run coaxial cable through a foundation, under floors, or through interior walls.
• Ground an antenna and coaxial cable as recommended in the National Electrical
Code (NEC)*.
If you have properly installed a previous satellite, outdoor television antenna, or a
garage door opener, then you can be reasonably confident that you can install this
system yourself.
If you have not worked with any of these products, then this probably isn’t the time to
learn about installation techniques. While deciding whether you are right for this job, you
should also keep in mind that your DIRECTV Multi-Satellite dish requires more
fine-tuning than a single-satellite antenna, possibly making it more difficult to obtain
signal(s).
Consider contacting your local authorized r etailer to recommend a
professional installer.
Step 1: Conduct a Site Survey
Your DIRECTV satellite dish is capable of receiving signals from multiple satellites
from one mounted position.
Not only can there be NO obstructions between the DIRECTV satellite dish and the
satellites, but you must also have the unit mounted
exactly plumb and level in order
to get HD and standard digital broadcasts from given coordinates.
When mounting your DIRECTV satellite dish, take into consideration future tree
growth, house remodeling or additions, and new construction in your area. Also,
realize that:
• The satellite signal WILL NOT PASS through leaves or branches.
• The satellite signal WILL NOT PASS through glass; don’t try to install your
DIRECTV satellite dish indoors.
*The National Electric Code is published by the National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, Maryland, 02269. It is also available at many hardware stores and home centers.
Important!
The satellite dish must be plumb and
level. Plumb means perfectly vertical;
straight up and down. Level means a
horizontal plane.