Connecting a satellite dish and setting up the receiver. Configuring and installing a satellite dish and telecard

You can, of course, call specialists and they will do everything for good money.

But, friends, a satellite television lover must be able to do everything himself, for the sake of creative satisfaction.

How else!

Each skill will add respect... I can do it and I did it!

And so we will develop the theme, setting satellite dish.

Today there are more than 150 satellites in geostationary orbit around the globe, which transmit digital satellite television, radio, and the Internet.

In fact, there are many more of them, spyware, purely for communication, and those that only the one who launched and installed the filling knows about.

They fly, well, let the piece of iron fly x...a! ;)

Each satellite on board has a certain number of transponders, which operate on different frequencies. As you all know, for satellite reception on your antenna there is a C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band.

So what should I do with “S, Ku, Ka” if I can’t find a satellite?

Keep in mind that you will not be able to set up and watch all the existing satellites that are in their orbits for one good reason...

It may be that your area in which you will be installing a satellite dish does not fall within the coverage area of this satellite.

So from the beginning you will need to decide what and where.

First, you must decide which satellite you will tune your dish to, and what transponder frequencies belong to it.
How do you find out what kind of satellites there are? Look at the table below and you will find a suitable satellite there.

But we also need to configure the antenna itself, and a good program will help us with this.

"Satellite Antenna Alignment"

It is designed to calculate the angles required when installing a satellite dish. The azimuth and elevation angle (elevation) for each satellite are calculated.

The main difference from similar programs is the ability to perform calculations for all satellites at once. This gives a clear picture of which satellites are physically visible from the antenna location and which are not.

It should be remembered that in this program the calculation is made theoretically, using formulas, and in real conditions, when installing the antenna, many more factors must be taken into account, such as various obstacles (buildings, trees), terrain, altitude, directionality of transponders, polarization and etc.

But nevertheless, this program will allow you to accurately assess the situation.

The resulting calculation can be saved to a text file, copied to the Windows clipboard, or directly output to a printer. It is possible to remember the list of places for which the calculation was made. Subsequently, you will no longer need to enter the coordinates of these places again, just select them from the table.

You need to start working with the program by entering the geographic coordinates of your satellite dish installation point.
This can be done in maps from GOOGLE. If you know the coordinates, simply enter them into search bar

The way you get coordinates is different in new and classic Google Maps. Also note that you cannot find out coordinates using a smartphone or tablet.
New interface

Click on the desired area of the map with the right mouse button. Select the What's here? item from the menu.
A panel with coordinates will appear under the search bar.

Classic interface

Open Google Maps . Click on the desired area of the map with the right mouse button. Select the What's here? item from the menu.
The coordinates will appear in the search bar (at the top of the page)

And so we successfully figured out our coordinates.

Next, enter your coordinates in the “Coordinates of the antenna installation location” section. Northern latitude is “N”, southern latitude is “S”. Likewise, east longitude is “E” and west longitude is “W”. After the coordinates are entered, on the left side of the table you will receive a calculation of the angles for all satellites at once.

The azimuth and elevation angle of the antenna (elevation angle) are calculated. The resulting azimuth is the direction to the satellite in degrees from the north direction in a clockwise direction.

Elevation angle is the angle (in degrees) between the direction of the satellite signal and the tangent plane to the earth's surface at your receiving point.

If the elevation angle is negative, then the satellite is hidden behind the horizon and receiving a signal from it is, in principle, impossible. Thus, from your observation point, satellites whose elevation angle is a positive value are theoretically visible.

Knowing the azimuth, you can quickly navigate and determine the direction to the satellite, identify obstacles in the direction of the antenna (neighboring houses, trees).

As mentioned above, the program operates with absolute values and calculates everything using formulas. Thus, the resulting azimuth is the angle relative to absolute north, and not from what your compass can show, because

However, a compass is not a constant thing, especially in urban environments. It's better to navigate by the sun. :)

Additionally, the program implements the calculation of azimuth to the sun, and now you can do without a compass!

The calculation is made for the point geographical coordinates which you asked to calculate the azimuth to the satellites. The height above sea level is considered to be 0 meters. You can specify a date (the current date is taken by default) and calculate the movement of the sun in one-minute increments.

The calculation results are displayed in the table on the left side. For the sun, both azimuth and elevation angle are calculated at the current time.

Thus, this gives you the opportunity to do without a compass at all when installing the antenna. First, determine the azimuth to the satellite you need. Then calculate the azimuth to the sun for the day you plan to install the antenna.

Find in the table the azimuth of the sun that is most equal to the azimuth to the satellite, and you will get the time (and date) when the sun will be in the same direction as the satellite. At the right moment in time, we turn the antenna directly towards the sun, the azimuth of the sun at this moment coincides with the azimuth of the satellite.

Or just mark this position and turn the antenna later. When calculating, do not forget to indicate your time zone (Moscow +3 hours from Greenwich).

Additionally, the program calculates the azimuth of sunrise and sunset, as well as the time and elevation when the sun is due south.

The program does not take into account daylight saving time! Therefore, for summer time you need to add +1 hour to the obtained results of calculating the azimuth to the sun.

The program draws a simple diagram showing the sides of the horizon. The yellow sector indicates daylight hours, the eastern part is sunrise, the western part is sunset. On the same diagram you can schematically display the direction to the satellite you need.

Select a satellite in the drop-down list; the direction to it (azimuth) is drawn with a red line. If the elevation angle to the satellite is negative, then the red line is not drawn (the satellite is not visible).

Currently, offset satellite dishes are widely used. Such an antenna, standing strictly vertically, already has a certain elevation angle (~20-25 degrees).

You can enter the dimensions of your offset antenna (height and width) and the program will calculate the exact elevation angle for this antenna. The calculation is made only for antennas whose height is greater than their width. Enter the antenna dimensions in millimeters.

Here you will also see the elevation angle to the satellite you have chosen, and the angle at which you actually need to install the antenna (in degrees from the plane of the earth)

LATEST version “Satellite Antenna Alignment” (2014) we take:

Maps with satellite coverage areas can be viewed on the website www.lyngsat-maps.com. The figure below shows an example map with coverage area for the Hot Bird 7a satellite at 13.0°E

Satellite	Degree	Address on Lyngsat
Amos 1/2		lyngsat.com/amos.html
Intelsat 10-02 Thor 2/3 *	1W 0.8W	lyngsat.com/1west.html
Sirius 2/3 Astra 1C*		lyngsat.com/sirius.html
Eutelsat W3A

Installing and configuring a satellite dish

In the article we will describe how to correctly “shoot” a satellite dish equipped with three converters without additional equipment, and how to connect and configure the receiver.

In our example, we will work with three standard satellites, which broadcast a total of twenty-four Russian-language channels:

You can then install, connect and configure the antenna to any other selected satellites in a similar way.

Advantages of satellite television

Its most important advantage is the price. The average cost of a set of equipment is $160. Taking into account the absence of a subscription fee for watching TV channels, satellite television is much more profitable than cable television. One more an important factor is the quality of the resulting picture and sound - it is not inferior to high-quality DVD.

A set of equipment with three heads (converters) can configure from 25 to 40 free Russian-language TV channels. However, technology does not stand still; today new satellites are constantly being opened with a huge number of channels offered. Find out, be interested, choose.

The principle of operation of satellite antennas

The signal that hits the mirror surface of the antenna is reflected and sent to the converter, from there to the receiver, and then to the TV.

All plates are divided into two main types:

offset,

direct focus.

The first “look” not exactly at the selected satellite, but below it, since the signal is directed from the dish to the converter at an angle. Offset devices are fixed almost vertically. Thanks to this, precipitation does not accumulate on its surface, which can significantly deteriorate the quality of signal reception.

If we talk about direct-focus dish models, then the converter covers a section of the mirror surface. As the diagonal increases, this nuance becomes invisible.

Unfortunately, satellite dishes are quite picky about terrain. A tree standing in the signal path can partially, if not completely, “clog” reception. So carefully check what exactly will be located in the signal path. If there are such obstacles, you should try to remove them, or increase the diagonal of the mirror (i.e. the plate itself).

For certain satellites, the appropriate direction of the dish is selected (this direction can be found out from the sales consultant or in specialized literature).

In our case, the antenna should be pointed south. Thus, the southern side should be free from tall buildings and other dense obstacles.

Satellite equipment set

The standard package for satellite television consists of six items:

plate (mirror),

converter,

receiver,

F-connector.

Plate intended for receiving (i.e. reflecting) signals from a satellite. Its diagonal can be 60cm or more (the maximum diagonal size is 120cm). The choice of dish dimensions is influenced by the terrain where it will operate, as well as the presence or absence of obstacles in the path of satellite signals.

Converter(head) is designed to convert signals reflected from the plate. The converter also sends the converted signals to the receiver. There are convectors with different numbers outputs for connecting one or more receivers.

Disek (DiSEq) intended for combining several converters.

Cable. The variety of cables today is enormous. Here the choice is yours: length, price, etc. There is also a bracket with which the plate is attached to the wall surface. The choice of bracket is determined by the diagonal of the plate. You will also need anchors to secure the bracket.

Receiver-DVB- This is the most expensive device of the entire set. To receive free channels, the most ordinary receivers such as Globo are sufficient. If you plan to view paid channels, then you will need a receiver with a card reader.

F connector intended for connecting the cable to the rest of the devices in the set. Eight of these devices will be needed. It’s better to take ten in reserve. We also recommend purchasing heat shrink that will insulate the connections between the F-connector and the cable.

Preparing equipment for installation

Since the plates come with detailed instructions regarding their assembly, we will not go into details. Yes, even without instructions everything is quite clear and visual. Let's say we have already assembled the antenna. Now we’ll screw the bracket to the wall surface and fix the plate on it. Everything is ready to configure.

Cable preparation

Let's leave the antenna for a while and start preparing the cable:

To do this, stock up on a knife and pliers.

After stripping the top layer of cable insulation, you will see a screen made of a number of small wires - this screen must be bent over the cable.

Under the first screen there is a second screen made of foil - it should be cut off.

Then we expose the bottom layer of protection, revealing the cable core underneath.

This core must be cleaned from the top enamel and the F-connector must be placed on it. The core should protrude 2mm-3mm from the edge of the F-connector.

We cut off all the excess protruding screen. Okay, the cable is ready.

Connection

Now let's start connecting:

First, we connect the convectors to the disek. Since we have three convectors, we will also need three cables.

It is advisable to hide the discs from direct contact with precipitation and moisture. Also, to avoid the “steam room” effect, do not wrap the connections with electrical tape. Heat shrink is more suitable here - due to compression, it will adhere much better to the F and to the cable.

The next step is to connect the disk drive to the receiver.

This is not at all difficult - you just need to screw the F-piece that is put on the cable to the receiver.

Setting up (targeting) a satellite dish

So, our dish is pointed south, all the wires are connected. You can begin the most difficult stage - tuning (shooting) the antenna. Settings begin from the central head. In our case, it should be set to Sirius.

We set the receiver speed to 27500, frequency 11766 and polarization “H”. It has two bars, one of which indicates the connection of the dish, as well as the satellite signal (usually this bar is red), and the second indicates the level of this signal (usually the yellow bar). When the antenna is connected correctly, you will see a signal of approximately 40%. Now we just need to adjust the signal quality - now we have it at zero. Let's move on to the plate.

Turn the antenna up and to the left all the way, looking for highest level signal, then slowly turn all the way to the right.

If the signal has not yet been found, lower the device along the fastener by 2mm-3mm (the dish fastener is equipped with markings with numbers, which makes it more convenient to “target” the device) and turn it all the way to the left.

Then we lower the plate even lower and turn it all the way.

We do this until a clear signal appears. The presence of a signal will be indicated by the appearance of a yellow stripe.

If you managed to hit the satellite only approximately, then the signal quality bar will be at the level of 21%. The plate can be secured in this position.

After that, lower it a little and carefully turn to the left, observing changes in signal quality. If it has decreased, then return the plate to its original position.

Then we gradually turn it to the right and look at the signal level. We raise and lower the antenna in the same way.

You managed to catch a signal at 40% - great! However, this is still not enough, since with this percentage the slightest rain or wind can interrupt your viewing of TV channels.

In order to increase the signal quality, you need to turn the converter first clockwise and then counterclockwise.

Observe in which position the signal quality improves. If the mount allows, we recommend bringing the converter closer to the surface of the mirror and then moving it away. This also affects the signal quality. However, as a rule, the length of the bracket from the central converter is adjusted to length. Good quality

the signal is 65%-70%.

Setting up side converters

Due to the fact that the main dish is already sighted, and the satellites are located next to one another, the side converters are much easier to set up.

Here the setting principle is the same - the receiver is set:

on Amos (here the speed is 27500, frequency 11766 and polarization “H”),

on Hotbird (here polarization is “V”, speed 27500 and frequency 11034).

We begin to bend the side bracket to which the converter is attached. You shouldn’t be afraid to bend it, because with some of their unsuccessful models and in some situations it won’t work out any other way. Starting from the upper left corner, we slowly move the converter to the right, then lower it a little lower (2mm-3mm), and turn left. We do this until a signal appears. To improve the signal quality, it is also advisable to perform clockwise and counterclockwise turns. There may be no signal due to an incorrectly connected or configured drive. When setting up the converters, pay attention to the contact of the drive to which you connected: A, B, C or D - this is the drive you will need to set on the receiver.

The final stage

So, knowing the approximate location of the satellite, as well as its frequency, you can tune any satellite dish without outside help. By installing a satellite television kit yourself, you will thereby reduce your costs by 50% -70% of the total cost of the equipment.

After the dish is set up and the wires are assembled and wound up, you can begin scanning the channels. To do this, you need to select the SCAN function in the receiver. A list of all channels available for viewing will be created. Now start searching for good TV shows.

Setting up a satellite dish yourself.

Nowadays, satellite technology has come to almost everyone's home. And many people think that setting up a satellite dish is a complicated process. In fact, this is not so, and if you understand everything, then everything is very simple.

Today we'll talk about self-assembly, installing and configuring a satellite dish or, as they say, -0 dishes.

Setting up a satellite dish for dummies

Today, the most affordable satellite TV kit can be purchased for $50-80. So it's time to switch to digital technologies in television broadcasting.

The kit includes:

– The receiver (tuner, receiver) is the most expensive piece of equipment. It should be chosen carefully, since the channel is broadcast in mpeg 2 and mpeg4 (better) formats.

– Antenna (mirror) – 0.7 -1.2 m. Designed to form the receiving beam into focus, where the signal itself is received.

– Converter (head). One or several, three mostly in our area. One per satellite. Universal with linear polarization.

– Multifeeds (converter mountings). 2 pieces

– Disek – switch between converters. Since the tuner can simultaneously receive a signal from only one converter, it is definitely needed when receiving two or more satellites.

– Coaxial (television) cable with a resistance of 75 ohms. It is advisable to take it with a margin of 3-5 meters.

– F connectors (plugs for connections). There are 8 pieces for three satellites.

– Bracket for fastening and a dowel or anchor for it.

Before moving on satellite channel settings. You need to set up a satellite dish.

How to set up a satellite dish yourself?

For satellite dish settings you will need such tools.

– Extension cord for three outlets.

– A drill or hammer drill with a drill of the required diameter for attaching the bracket with anchors or dowels.

– Wrenches 13mm. and 10mm (preferably two)

– Phillips screwdriver.

- Hammer.

– Electrical tape or plastic ties.

– We assemble the antenna, carefully tighten the bolts, do not forget the washers and engravers.

– We screw two multifeeds to the converter holder (one to the right, the second to the left of the center of the antenna) along with three converters. We don't tighten it too much. We also do not tighten the antenna mount too much.

– We attach the bracket to the wall and hang the antenna so that it faces south, southeast, you can spy on your neighbor.

– We extend the extension cord and take the TV and tuner with us. We connect the TV, receiver and antenna central converter (one, directly to the receiver). Even on the ground, you can try to catch the desired satellite if you doubt the reception (since there may be an obstacle, a tree, etc. in the direction of reception).

Now the tuners sold are sold with channels already stitched and there is no need to scan and sort them, and it’s easier for us to configure. To do this, turn on the TV and satellite receiver, turn on the desired channel (for example 2+2) on the Astra (formerly Sirius), since we will tune this satellite at the focus (center) of the antenna. Press the button info On the remote control, after inserting batteries into it, we see two scales. (For beginners this is the most difficult process). If the necessary channels are not available on the satellite, but we have certain frequencies. We enter them, if they are not already registered, and right in editing the transponder frequencies we look at the required signal power and quality scales.

First of all, before starting the process, you should choose the right location for installing the satellite dish. We need to consider several factors. To receive a radio signal, the signal from the satellite must reach the receiving mirror and nothing should interfere with it.

In the example given, on the lower floors the reception will be interfered with by trees and the neighboring house. Therefore, the installation of the satellite dish needs to be done higher, in most cases the easiest way is on the roof.

It is very important to thoroughly strip the cable and ensure that there is no short circuit between the braid and the central core, otherwise you may damage the receiver.

We begin the installation by connecting the cable to the converter in focus (in the center) and the satellite receiver.

It is important to connect the cable to the desired LNB_IN output in the satellite receiver.

Sometimes there are mistakes.

You can connect the entire assembly and configure the disk ports, but this will be more difficult. After connecting all the wires, we connect the 220 volt power supply and proceed to the process of setting up the satellite.

Smoothly tilt the antenna up - down, right - left, in the same direction as your neighbor's (approximately south). The desired channel must be received - there will be sound and image, but this is not the main thing. The scales will light up, and we will use them to navigate.

We achieve maximum performance, give preference to the signal quality scale. You can rotate the converter in the mount clockwise and counterclockwise, as well as forward and backward. When the result satisfies us, click exit and switch to other channels of this satellite, check their reception level ( info ). If everything is normal, then you can tighten the antenna mounting bolts, and then the converter. It is advisable to adjust the converter by scrolling it left and right, as well as moving it back and forth in the multifeed mount.

Please note that when tightening the bolts the signal may go away. Therefore, we twist it evenly but firmly so that the antenna does not sway from the wind.

Now the antenna is configured and all that remains is to configure the converters in the multifeeds. To do this, disconnect the cable from the central converter and connect it one by one to the required heads in the multifeeds. On the tuner, turn on the channels from the satellite that needs to be tuned and press info. We also move the loosely attached converter up and down, right and left until the desired result is achieved and tighten the bolts.

Fine tuning of the satellite dish

So we already have a signal from the satellite, the channels have been scanned, but some are missing, the picture is blurry or not shown at all. In this case, we have a weak signal or no signal at all from certain transponders. For everything to work perfectly, you need to fine-tune the satellite.

To do this, switch the receiver to a weak or non-working frequency (transponder, channel) so that the signal indicators are visible. Next we adjust the converter. We move it in the holder back and forth and twist it left and right relative to the clockwise until the signal improves. We switch to other frequencies of this satellite and achieve the optimal result. We make every effort to receive maximum quantity received TV channels from a specific satellite.

Important. Remember that Amos should be found to the right of center when looking at the antenna from the front, and Hotbird to the left.

Now the antenna is fully configured for three satellites and all that remains is to connect it correctly.

To do this, cut three pieces of cable of the required length (about 1.5 m) and attach them to the converters. You can connect to the disk as you please, but I prefer order

– Amos – 1 LNB

– Astra (Sirius) – 2 LNB

– Hotbird – 3 LNB

– Receiver

We secure all cables with electrical tape or zip ties, and hide the disks from moisture in a plastic box (optional).

We stretch the cable into the room to the tuner connected to the TV and plug everything into the network to configure the disk drive ports in the receiver. Select the desired satellite (menu - installation), disk drives with 1.0 and the desired port. Click the menu and see a note about saving settings

After completing the procedure for the desired satellites, the antenna setup can be considered complete.

When setting up an antenna with a connected disk, you must specify the disk port for the satellite.

If there are no scanned channels, then for tuning you should select the desired frequency (you can get it on the Lingsat on the Internet).

Setting up a direct focus satellite dish

Video instructions for installing and configuring a satellite dish

Download instructions for installing a satellite dish

The article will be primarily useful for everyone who wants to install and configure equipment for watching satellite channels with their own hands.

Many users prefer satellite TV. This is understandable: cable TV has a limited selection of channels.

Today, widescreen models of Full HD television receivers are designed to display high-definition images, something that could only be dreamed of in the era of analogue TV.

If you connect digital cable television, the choice of channels will not be large, but the capabilities of the dish are much wider. If you compare the cost, then the price of a cable receiver is practically no different from a satellite one.

But for owners of private houses and citizens living in the countryside, they simply do not have the opportunity to connect to cable television.

Selecting a satellite

Even before installing a satellite dish, the consumer must choose a satellite. Beginners need to understand this issue in more detail.

Satellite TV works as follows. First, signals from television channels arrive at a satellite, from which the signals are sent to subscribers to receiving devices or tuners.

Receivers process the signals, and decoding is performed for encrypted channels. After this, the signal goes to the TV.

Using a satellite, you can watch open or encrypted channels, which can be placed separately on the satellite or included in packages from different operators.

To collect a subscription fee, coding is done. Today, users are offered to purchase packages. This is convenient; if you purchase them, you will receive one payment per view. large number channels immediately. To receive high-quality signals from a specific satellite, the antenna must be adjusted.

When satellites are in close proximity, it is possible to receive signals from them simultaneously.

If you want to watch at least 30 channels in Russian for free, then tune the dish to the Yamal 201 satellite. Tricolor TV is extremely popular among users, and the most channels are on NTV-Plus and Raduga-TV.

Free channels can be selected on Frocus.net. You can view paid satellite TV packages on websites on the Internet. To prevent interference, it is recommended to mount the antenna on the roof.

Components for connecting satellite TV

Tuner. The receiving device “decrypts” the signal coming from the space satellite, converts it and transmits it to the television receiver.

Plate. It is installed towards the satellite to receive a signal, which is subsequently redirected to the convector.

Head or convector. A device that receives antenna signals. After converting the signal, it is transmitted by the convector to the receiver.

Bracket. Special metal structure for attaching the antenna.

Cable. The connecting link between the convector and the receiver.

DiSEq. It will be needed when one tuner receives signals from several satellites at once.

F-ki. Connect cable and other equipment. These are the so-called connectors.

Cable connecting the receiver and television receiver. SCART, HDMI and tulips.

What should you consider when choosing equipment?

Choose an antenna D = 90 cm, then you will be able to receive signals from the maximum number of satellites. The choice of convector polarization also depends on the choice of satellite.

When two TVs or a TV with a computer are used for satellite TV, you will need to connect two receivers and a convector with two outputs.

The bracket is secured with anchors. The leg should allow the antenna to be freely rotated in different directions. A multifeed will be required when not one, but several convectors are attached to the antenna.

Self-installation of the plate

The Agsat.com.ua/satdirect service will help you find out where to point the antenna. Having indicated on the map the place where the dish will be installed using a flag, select the desired satellite from the column, and a direction indicator will appear.

Installation work begins with attaching the bracket to the wall.

Self-tuning of a satellite dish

An F-piece is screwed onto the ends of the cable. Cut the insulation from the TV cable by 1.5 cm, bend the screen braid, cut off the foil screen with a distance of 0.9 cm from the edge, and screw on the F-piece.

The cable is connected at one end to the convector, and the other to the receiver.

The next step is to set up the antenna for the satellite. We direct the dish according to the compass, and adjust it according to the signal level displayed in the receiver menu. Having achieved the desired result, tighten the nuts on the plate and secure the cable.