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Final Installation
36 Chapter 3
Step-By-Step Instruction for Acquiring and Fine Tuning
the Signal
1. Read the instruction manual that came with your digital satellite receiver, HDTV, or
HD set-top converter to determine how to access the on-screen signal meter.
The signal meter shows you when you have locked onto a satellite’s broadcast
signal, and gives you the signal strength. It is easiest to use the signal meter with
the help of another person to relay signal strength values to you, or by moving the
TV displaying the signal meter so that is easily viewed at the point of installation.
2. Make sure that you select the correct type of dish (round or oval). The signal
meter will give you the pointing coordinates for your antenna, and values will
depend on the type of antenna you have selected. Failure to select the correct dish
will result in wrong pointing angles as well the inability to receive certain
programming.
3. Access the signal meter. Set signal meter to the 101° satellite (this might also be
represented on-screen as “Satellite 1” or “Satellite A”). At this point you will
probably not have a signal.
Acquiring and Fine Tuning the Signal
Now that you have installed the DIRECTV PLUS™ satellite antenna and routed all of the
cable, it’s time to acquire and fine tune the signal. Before you begin, you may want to go
outside and double-check the azimuth, elevation, and tilt settings on the dish to make sure
they correspond to the on-screen coordinates given.
• Make sure that the elevation indicator is aligned with the edge of metal, not the
washer or the bolt.
• Make sure the antenna’s mast clamp is “tilted” to the degree markers indicated.
• Use a compass to verify that the azimuth setting on the dish
is correct.
When you are confident that the settings are correct, bring up the “Dish Pointing” menu
again and use the on-screen signal meter to see if you are getting a signal. However, once
you have acquired a signal, you must fine tune it to insure you have the strongest settings
possible.
Refer to your digital satellite receiver, HDTV, or HD set-top converter manual for on-
screen menu information.
If you are not receiving a signal, you need to incrementally adjust the azimuth setting on
the dish. After you receive a signal, you will want to continue to adjust your settings to get
the best possible signal.
Maximum Signal
Strength
While the maximum signal meter
value is 100, the signal strength
you achieve will most probably
be less. Although there is no
difference in picture quality
between signal strengths of 60
and 85 percent, the higher the
signal, the less likely you are to
experience signal outages during
adverse weather.
Tip
You can adjust your TV’s volume
to hear the signal meter from the
dish location, or you may want a
friend to watch the signal meter
and relay the strength reading to
you.