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Preparing for Installation
6 Chapter 1
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 with heights.
Depending on how you install the DIRECTV PLUS™ 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*.
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 PLUS™
satellite antenna has more fine-
tuning requirements going beyond those of a single-satellite antenna and it may be more
difficult to obtain signal(s).
Consider contacting your local authorized retailer to recommend a professional
installer.
General Site Survey
Your DIRECTV PLUS™ antenna receives data from two separate satellites at once; one
sending High Definition signals, and one broadcasting standard digital signals. So, to
pick up the pair of signals, your DIRECTV PLUS™ antenna must tune to two satellite
signals from one mounted position.
Not only can there be NO obstructions between the DIRECTV PLUS™ satellite dish
antenna 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 PLUS™ satellite antenna, take into consideration future
tree growth, house remodeling or additions, and new construction in your area.
• 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 PLUS™ 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.