Install and Set Up Free-to-Air Satellite TV: A Complete Guide

Cutting the cord doesn’t have to mean sacrificing access to television. Free-to-air (FTA) satellite TV offers a wealth of channels, often including news, educational, and entertainment programming, all without the burden of monthly subscription fees. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of installing and setting up your own FTA satellite TV system, empowering you to enjoy free television content.

Understanding Free-to-Air Satellite TV

Before diving into the installation process, it’s essential to understand what FTA satellite TV is and how it works. Unlike subscription-based satellite services, FTA channels are broadcast ‘in the clear,’ meaning they are not encrypted. This allows anyone with the appropriate equipment to receive them without paying monthly fees. The content available varies depending on your location and the satellites within your reception range.

Key Components of an FTA System:

• Satellite Dish: This parabolic dish collects the signals from the satellite and reflects them onto the LNB. Size is critical; larger dishes generally offer better reception, especially in areas with weak satellite signals.
• Low-Noise Block Downconverter (LNB): Mounted at the focal point of the dish, the LNB amplifies the weak satellite signals and converts them to a lower frequency that can be transmitted through a coaxial cable.
• Coaxial Cable: This cable carries the signal from the LNB to the satellite receiver. Choose high-quality RG6 cable for optimal performance.
• FTA Satellite Receiver: This device decodes the satellite signals and displays them on your television. It’s responsible for channel selection, scanning, and other functionalities.
• Television: Your standard television set to display the received channels.
• Connectors: F-type connectors used to connect the coaxial cable to the LNB, receiver, and often the dish.
• Optional: Satellite Finder Meter: A specialized tool to assist in aligning your dish to the satellite.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of installation. Follow these steps carefully for a successful setup:

Step 1: Planning and Preparation

1. Choose a Location: The ideal location for your satellite dish should have a clear line of sight to the desired satellite(s). Avoid obstructions like trees, buildings, and other structures. The south sky is usually the target for most satellites in the Northern Hemisphere, and the north sky for the Southern Hemisphere. Consider factors like accessibility for maintenance and the length of cable required. A stable mounting surface is also critical to prevent the dish from moving in the wind.
2. Determine Target Satellite(s): Research which satellites are within your reception area and the channels they broadcast. Websites like LyngSat and SatBeams are excellent resources for this information. The most commonly targeted satellites will be determined by your geographic location and the programming of interest to you.
3. Gather Necessary Tools and Materials: You’ll need a wrench, screwdriver, drill (if mounting to a wall), level, coaxial cable stripper, F-type crimper or compression tool, F-type connectors, and potentially a satellite finder meter. Having all your tools ready will save you time and frustration.
4. Safety First: Wear appropriate safety gear, especially if working at heights. Avoid working in severe weather conditions. Make sure any tools you use are in good working order. Turn off any power to electrical equipment when working near it.

Step 2: Mounting the Satellite Dish

1. Assemble the Dish: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to assemble the satellite dish. This often involves connecting the reflector dish to the mounting bracket and attaching the LNB support arm.
2. Attach the Mounting Bracket: Mount the bracket securely to your chosen location. If mounting to a wall, use appropriate screws and anchors. Make sure the mount is level both horizontally and vertically. For pole mounts, ensure the pole is set in concrete and is sturdy enough to handle the weight of the dish.
3. Attach the Dish to the Bracket: Using the provided hardware, attach the assembled dish to the mounting bracket. Initially, do not overtighten the bolts, as you will need to make adjustments during the alignment process.
4. Mount the LNB: Mount the LNB to the support arm, ensuring it is facing the dish’s focal point. The direction of the LNB may need to be adjusted depending on your specific satellite setup, so you may want to leave it slightly loose until after alignment.

Step 3: Connecting the Coaxial Cable

1. Prepare the Cable: Use the coaxial cable stripper to remove the outer jacket and expose the center conductor and shielding. Do not cut into the shielding or center conductor when stripping the cable.
2. Attach the F-Type Connectors: Attach an F-type connector to each end of the coaxial cable using either a crimping tool or a compression tool. Ensure that the connector is securely fastened.
3. Connect the LNB: Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the F-connector on the LNB.
4. Connect to the Receiver: Connect the other end of the coaxial cable to the ‘LNB In’ or ‘Satellite In’ port on your FTA receiver.

Step 4: Aligning the Satellite Dish

This is the most crucial step for a successful setup. Proper alignment ensures you receive the strongest possible signal. A satellite finder meter is highly recommended, but alignment is still possible without one, although it will be more time-consuming. The key is to find the right azimuth (horizontal angle), elevation (vertical angle), and LNB skew (rotation). The specific values depend on your target satellite and geographic location. You can find these values on the previously mentioned websites such as LyngSat or SatBeams, or through a satellite dish alignment calculator.

Using a Satellite Finder Meter:

1. Connect the Meter: Connect the satellite finder meter between the LNB and your receiver (or directly to the LNB if the meter is battery-powered). Most meters have two connectors: one labeled “To LNB” and another labeled “To Receiver.”
2. Power on the Meter: If the meter requires it, power it on. Make sure the receiver is also powered on.
3. Set Receiver to Tuning Mode: Ensure the receiver is set to the satellite you want to align with, including any transponder settings (a specific frequency used by the satellite). The information will usually be in the receiver settings menu or through a channel list import feature, if available.
4. Initial Positioning: Using the azimuth, elevation, and skew values obtained from satellite location websites, roughly position the satellite dish. Loosen the bolts to enable adjustments while keeping some resistance.
5. Signal Acquisition: Very slowly and incrementally, move the dish horizontally (azimuth) and vertically (elevation) while watching the meter. It is important to make small and very slow movements, as it may take time to get a signal, particularly with a meter that isn’t a professional model. Make sure to allow for a couple of seconds for the meter to show a signal change after each adjustment. Look for a peak reading indicating signal strength. Once a signal is found, continue to make small adjustments to maximize it, both vertically and horizontally.
6. Fine-Tune: Once you have a peak signal, carefully adjust the LNB skew (rotation) for maximum signal. Different satellites require different skew angles.
7. Tighten the Bolts: Once you have achieved the best signal, carefully tighten the dish bolts, while watching the meter to ensure no signal drop.

Aligning Without a Satellite Finder Meter:

While more difficult and time-consuming, alignment without a meter is possible:

1. Set up Receiver: Connect everything as in Step 3. Ensure the receiver is powered on, and the television is displaying the receiver output. Ensure it is set to the satellite and transponder you want to target.
2. Initial Positioning: As before, use the information available on satellite locating websites or apps to set up your initial position.
3. Slow Adjustment: Make very slow and small adjustments, moving the dish up and down, and left and right. Be patient. Wait several seconds between each adjustment to allow the receiver to find a signal lock. Look for a signal on your TV that matches a signal quality meter within the receiver’s menu or on the channel itself. If you can see a channel in the list, you will often see its signal quality meter, but if you aren’t receiving a signal, you may not even see a list of channels.
4. Fine Tuning: As before, make small adjustments to optimize the signal, and adjust the LNB’s skew as needed.
5. Tighten Bolts: Once a usable signal is found, carefully tighten bolts, observing the signal quality and strength to ensure it is not lost during the tightening.

Important Notes on Alignment:

• Patience is crucial. Alignment can be tricky, especially without a finder meter.
• Make small adjustments; even a slight movement can make a significant difference.
• Check your satellite coordinates and receiver settings to ensure they are correct.

Step 5: Scanning for Channels

1. Access Receiver Menu: Using your receiver remote, navigate to the menu and find the channel scanning option. The menu structure will vary depending on your receiver’s make and model.
2. Select Satellite: Select the satellite you have aligned your dish with.
3. Choose Scan Mode: Select the appropriate scan mode, usually ‘blind scan’ or ‘automatic scan.’ The blind scan will scan every transponder on the satellite, while automatic scan uses a database that may not be up to date. Blind scan is generally the best option.
4. Start the Scan: Start the scan. The receiver will now search for channels available on that satellite and save them in its memory. The process can take a few minutes.
5. Review and Save: Once the scan is complete, review the channel list. You may want to rename channels, sort them by genre, or even remove ones you are not interested in. Save your changes.

Step 6: Enjoying Free-to-Air TV

Congratulations! You should now be able to watch a variety of free channels. Explore the channel list and start enjoying your free entertainment. It is possible that changes will be made to a satellite, like changing the frequencies that particular channels use, or shutting down a channel. You may have to occasionally re-scan to adjust to any changes made by satellite operators.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful installation, you might encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and solutions:

• No Signal:
• Check all connections. Make sure the coaxial cable is properly connected to both the LNB and receiver.
• Verify your dish alignment. Ensure your dish is pointed at the correct satellite using the right azimuth and elevation angles.
• Check the LNB. It could be defective or damaged by weather.
• Ensure the receiver is set to the correct satellite and transponder.
• Check the weather; heavy rain or snow may temporarily impact the signal.
• Weak Signal:
• Fine-tune your dish alignment to maximize the signal.
• Check the coaxial cable for damage.
• Ensure you are using a high-quality RG6 cable.
• Consider using a larger dish if you have a weak signal in your area.
• Channel Missing:
• Re-scan for channels to pick up new or changed frequencies.
• Verify the channel is actually available on the satellite you are receiving.
• Check online to see if there have been any recent updates to satellite transmissions.
• Freezing/Pixelation:
• This usually indicates a weak signal and can be fixed by optimizing the dish alignment.
• Check coaxial cable connections and quality.

Conclusion

Setting up your own free-to-air satellite TV system is a rewarding project that can save you money on monthly subscription fees. By carefully following this guide, you can enjoy a wide variety of free programming. Remember to be patient, precise with your alignment, and always prioritize safety. With a bit of effort and some basic technical know-how, you can cut the cord and access free television content. Enjoy!