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Single-Dish-Antenna Questions: |
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Single-Dish-Antenna Answers: |
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- How can I find out if I have a clear line-of-sight to
your satellite?
Answer: This webpage has an azimuth and elevation calculator that
requires only your ZIP Code.

- I have a lot of tall trees in the way between my dish
antenna and the satellite. What can I do?
Answer: Trees can cause interference with the satellites
and dish. If you cannot find a different or higher location
that provides line-of-sight to the satellites, you may have to
trim your trees. You can mount your dish antenna up to 100
feet away from your house without adding any signal
amplifiers, if necessary.

- I would like to know if the satellite TV dish antenna
must be installed outside the home. I live in an apartment and
am restricted to certain codes.
Answer: The satellite dish antenna needs to placed outside
in order to receive the signal. Certain window materials do
allow the signal to pass through, but you will lose signal
strength.

- Can I install my satellite TV system myself? If so,
can I use my existing cable?
Answer: You can install this system by yourself. We offer a
Self Installation Kit which includes all necessary hardware
normally needed to install one receiver, and a videotape to
help you. It requires RG-6 coaxial cable with no splitters
from the dish antenna to receiver. This makes most existing
cable wirings incompatible with DISH Network because it can
not carry an adequate signal.

- Is it possible to watch separate programming on two
televisions with the DISH Network system?
Answer: Yes, we do offer this type of setup. You will need
a satellite TV dish antenna with a dual output LNBF (Included
in the Model 2812, 3700, 3720, 3822, 4720, 4722, 5000, 5022,
6023, 7100, 7200 and the JVC D-VHS systems), and a separate
receiver for each television. You can buy one receiver and
watch local channels on one TV while watching DISH Network
channels on the other. However, you can not watch 2 different
DISH Network channels simultaneously with only one receiver.

- We're ready to install the dish antenna, but our
homeowner's association forbids it. Can you help us?
Answer: We would love to have you as a customer. Our dish
antenna sizes are 18" and 20" and comply with the Satellite
Consumer Bill of Rights, a regulation released by the FCC on
August 6, 1996. This regulation PREEMPTS local zoning
ordinances and Homeowner Association covenants and
restrictions on DBS dish antennas. This rule was required by
Congress in the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Some HOAs have
been fighting to keep restriction rights by threatening court
action on tenants with dish antennas, in some cases arguing
that a dish antenna is installed in a common area, calling the
air space above the homeowner's roof where the dish antenna is
installed, the common area. Congress is on your side in this
matter. For more specific information please contact:
SBCA (Satellite Broadcasting & Communications Association)
..... (703) 549-6990, and at
http://www.sbca.com
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ..... (202) 418-0163 and
at http://www.fcc.gov

- I live outside of the contiguous 48 states, what size
dish antenna do I need?
Answer: Please call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) to locate a
retailer near you. They will be able to assist you in getting
the correct size dish antenna. If you live in Canada please
call Bell ExpressVu @ 1-888-759-3474. If you live in the
Caribbean, please call 1-877-444-4759.

- I need a Professional Installation. Who do I call?
Answer: Click here
to order Professional Installation to schedule an
installation time convenient for you.

- I installed my new DISH Network system myself and am
unable to get dish antenna tuned in at all. All I have is the
red bar graph. Can you help?
Answer: A red bar means you are not acquiring a strong
enough signal from the satellite or are pointing it at the
wrong satellite. First, make sure that all these conditions
are met: Your dish antenna is correctly pointed at the proper
satellite (You
can verify your azimuth and elevation angles using this
program). Next, be sure you have nothing in between the
dish antenna and satellite, like tall trees, that might block
the signal. Third, be sure all the cable is properly connected
from your dish antenna all the way to the receiver. If you are
still experiencing problems, contact our Technical Support
Department by calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474) and giving them
the specifics of your situation. They will be able to answer
any further questions you may have.

- How do I install two or more receivers?
Answer: The ability to operate more than one television
independently through DISH Network satellite TV system will
require a dual LNBF system, which is capable of connecting the
dish antenna to up to five independent receivers. The price of
a dual LNBF system begins at $199 (depending on the model).
Then you may add an additional receiver (either IR or UHF)
starting at $99 per additional receiver to add to your other
TVs. The additional receiver will allow the duplication of
your programming by a separate satellite TV signal being sent
to your other TVs, so they can work independently. The cost of
programming for each additional receiver is only $4.99/month.
Of course, you can hook up as many TVs as you like to just one
receiver, but they will receive the same programming on all
TVs. More than two receivers require a voltage line splitter
and a dual LNBF.

- What should I do if I am going to move?
Answer: DISH Network has a program just for you called
DishMover. Click Here to find out more details.

- We have a satellite dish antenna and during heavy rain
and snow we lose our signal. Is there something we can do to
eliminate this?
Answer: The problem could be that your external connections
on the cable are not weatherproofed. If there is water getting
into the cable connection, it would cause the types of
problems you are seeing. We recommend that you wait until the
weather is clear and you are obtaining a good signal so that
you are sure the cables are dry. Then use a good silicone
sealant on all of your exterior cable connections.
Repeaking your dish antenna will also help to minimize this
problem. The higher your signal strength, the less you will
experience this fade.
Heavy rain and snow could also cause you to lose signal
strength due to the dish antenna not being able to see the
satellite. If you live in an area where inclement weather is a
regular occurrence, you might want to consider using a
slightly larger, 24" dish antenna.
If you do try and re-peak your dish for optimum signal,
please ensure that it is safe to do so BEFORE attempting this
procedure.

- What must I do to ground my system properly?
Answer: You may want to install the ground block onto the
side of the building, or on some other sturdy structure near
the satellite dish. Make sure that the location is stable, and
that you fasten the ground block tightly to the surface. As
stated in Article 820-40 of the National Electrical Code
(NEC), locate the ground block as close as possible to the
power entry ground.
- Mount the ground block so that its connections are
horizontal. This helps keep moisture from leaking into the
block. Using the shortest path possible, run the coaxial
cable(s) from the LNBF(s) to the input(s) on the ground
block.
- Put a drip loop in each cable to allow moisture to drip
from the cable before it runs into the ground block.
- Run the ground wire to the power entry ground of the
building in accordance with the National Electrical Code
(NEC) and all local electrical codes.
A ground wire must always be a single piece of wire. Never
splice two wires together for a ground. Corrosion and
weathering can lead to a poor connection at the splice,
making the ground ineffective and dangerous. If you cut the
ground wire too short, replace it with a single wire cut to
the correct length.
- Use cable clips to attach the cable to the side of the
building. This helps prevent damage.

- Can I paint the dish antenna so that it blends in with
my house?
Answer: You can paint your dish antenna. We recommend that
you use a flat paint, rather than glossy, to reduce the
possibilities of problems from reflected heat at the LNBF.
Also, do not get any paint on the LNBF.

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Q:
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Can I install the DIRECTV System myself or should I hire someone?
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A:
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DIRECTV customers who use professional installers typically have fewer technical concerns later on, and professional installation is quite affordable. If you're purchasing an oval-shaped satellite dish, that installation is more complicated so you'll definitely want a professional to take care of it. For more information on installing the dish yourself, please visit our online self-install section, which explains how to position your dish for the best reception.
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Q:
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Can I install the satellite dish inside my house?
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A:
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In order to receive the signal, the dish must have a direct line of sight to the south through a window. However, many types of window glass degrade the satellite signal. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you install your satellite dish outside in a suitable location.
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Q:
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If I install my satellite dish outside, will it get stolen?
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A:
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The satellite dish is the least expensive component of the DIRECTV System and is basically useless without the set-top receiver. Also keep in mind that the dish is small enough to be placed in an inconspicuous location on your home or property.
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Q:
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Can I use my existing wiring for DIRECTV?
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A:
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If the cable in your house is RG-6 coax cable, you can use it to connect your DIRECTV® Receiver to your satellite dish. If your cable is not RG6 coax, you will need to run new cable. It is important that you use RG6 cable due to the frequency of the digital signals it must carry.
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Q:
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How do I install the DIRECTV System on my RV or boat?
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A:
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You can either purchase a self-installation kit or hire a professional installer. Contact your local satellite TV, RV or boat dealer for more information about professional installation.
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Q:
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Can I paint the satellite dish?
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A:
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It's okay to paint your dish if you don't use lead-based or glossy paint. Glossy paint could damage the Low Noise Block (LNB) converter by increasing the signal reflection. You should not paint the LNB itself.
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Q:
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Can I paint the satellite dish?
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A:
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It's okay to paint your dish if you don't use lead-based or glossy paint. Glossy paint could damage the Low Noise Block (LNB) converter by increasing the signal reflection. You should not paint the LNB itself.
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Multi-Dish-Antenna Questions: |
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1. What type of service and programming is provided
on EchoStar IV and V at the 110 orbital location?
Answer: EchoStar IV and V hosts a variety of
international, educational and business programming as
well as data services. However, we are responding to our
current and potential customers' number-one
request...local network channels delivered digitally to
your DISH Network set-top box. There are currently 24
local cities broadcasting from EchoStar V. However under
the SHIVA ruling, only customers with in certain areas
will be able to purchase these services. To see if you
qualify,
Click Here.
2. I currently have programming at 119 orbital
location. Do I need two dish antennas if I want to subscribe
to my local networks?
Answer: Because EchoStar IV and V, which carry the
majority of local programming, are positioned in a
different orbital location than our existing core
satellites (located at the 119-degree orbital location)
the 18” dish antenna is not able to receive the signals
from both orbital locations. However, you may upgrade to a
DISH 500 system that will allow you to obtain signals from
both 110 and 119 orbital locations.
Click here for more details

3. What's the difference between installing a system
myself or having it professionally installed?
Answer: It's mostly a matter of convenience. However,
DISH Network is offering all new customers a FREE basic
Professional Installation when you purchase your system
direct. We strongly recommend that you consider having
your new system professionally installed to ensure that
all aspects of the job are done correctly. Professional
Installation also provides the reassurance that the second
dish antenna (or DISH 500) is properly connected to your
home entertainment system.

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