Many people have asked about the DISH network satellite direction because of low-to-average reception. Apparently, pointing it in the right direction can help you get high-quality display on your television.
But what direction does your DISH network satellite need to face to get the best TV signal? Which direction should it point at?
In this guide, we’ll not only help you in terms of pointing the satellite dish in the right direction. We’ll also give you complete details in installing the satellite you have!
To be able to point it in the best direction, you first need to make sure that the kit you received has all the parts needed. Then, find a suitable location where you’ll be placing or installing the satellite. After so, ensure that everything is bolted and locked tightly.
Then, activate both the receiver and the television and navigate to Peak Angles. Once there, you’ll see prompts about the direction where your satellite dish should face.
So, before we talk about where your satellite direction should pointed, let us first try to understand the importance of its direction.
The Direction of the Satellite is Important
As we all know, satellite TV needs signal and reception so that you get the display.
Therefore, as part of the installation, you need to be wary of where it should be pointed. For your dish to be able to receive reception easily – so that you’ll be able to get high-quality images and displays – you need to point it in the direction where you want to receive the signal.
If you direct it in a different direction, the satellite might find it difficult to project the signal, which can result in a low-quality display of your favorite TV shows and movies.
Installation of DISH Network Satellite
Let us briefly go through the steps on how you can install the satellite for you to be able to watch content from your provider!
Step 1: Unboxing of the Kit
The DISH network satellite that you’ll receive should contain the following parts:
- Satellite Reflector
- Integrated Adapter Bracket
- Mast Clamp
- Dish Mounting Bracket
- Level
- LNBF Arm
- Foot/Tripod (with legs)
- Skew Scale and Point
- Coaxial Cables
NOTE: These parts should also come with all the respective bolts, nuts, and screws.
Step 2: Locate a Spot on Your Property
Then, the next step is to locate the best and the most suitable location in your property.
Make sure that the location is somewhere that’s high up top (preferably your roof or somewhere higher). So that it’ll not have a hard time receiving and sending signals to other satellites and receptors.
Step 3: Assembly of the Parts
Assembling the Tripod/Foot
To assemble the foot or the tripod, loosen them up and remove any type of string that holds them together.
Take the legs out and connect them to the foot or the tripod. Do this to all the three (3) legs.
Assembling the DISH
Take the satellite reflector and the integrated adapter bracket.
Attach the bracket to the reflector – you’ll see four (4) holes on the back of the reflector. Insert the bolt and the nut that goes with it.
Don’t fasten them tight up yet – you just need them to be in place.
Step 4: Mounting the Reflector to the Tripod
The LNB adapter contains a hole or a tab where the tripod should go in.
Loosen the nuts and the screws that accompany it so that the tripod’s bulging part is inserted.
Step 5: Mounting the LNB
Through the other end of the LNB arm or adapter, there are two (2) holes in which you have to insert nuts and bolts to fasten the LNB up.
Place the LNB appropriately. After doing so, tighten them up so that they don’t wiggle. Remember when you just had to tighten them in place earlier? Now’s the time to make sure that all bolts and nuts are secure.
Step 6: Placement of the Mounted Dish
For the last step on installing the satellite dish, you need to find a location that is perfect for your satellite dish.
By perfect, we mean that it should not be anywhere near a kind of material that could block the signals off.
All you have to do is to position them on your roof or anywhere higher so that they can receive and send the information needed fast.
NOTE:
Make sure that there are no obstructions near the satellite dish so that it doesn’t stop reception or signal from coming in and out.
And there you have it! Those are the steps on how you can properly assemble the DISH network satellite.
Now, let’s get onto the part that troubles everyone – pointing the satellite in the correct direction.
Finding the Best DISH Network Satellite Direction
Now that we’re done assembling the satellite dish, we’ll go onto the steps on how you can find the perfect direction where you should point your satellite at.
Step 1: Connecting Your DISH Network Receiver to Your Television
After you successfully install the DISH network satellite, you then have to connect the receiver to your television via coaxial cables and composite cables that came along with the kit.
Make sure that they’re tightened up to avoid any signal disruptions that can be caused by heavy gushes of wind.
NOTE: Your TV display will rely on the satellite’s capability to receive signals. So, you need to make sure that the cables are all tight – this will save you a lot of headaches.
Step 2: Activate TV and Receiver
Once you have them connected, turn both the receiver and the television on.
You’ll know that the receiver is on when the [POWER] title on the front panel is lit up. Once it’s turned on, you just have to click on the numbers “6-1-1“ on your remote control.
What this does is it displays the Point Dish menu; this is the menu that can guide you on where your satellite direction should face.
Step 3: Select Peak Angles
Once you enter that menu, navigate to the option that says Peak Angles.
From there, you’ll be asked by the system to choose the type of dish you have. Select the most appropriate dish and there’ll be a prompt that would guide you in terms of where you should face the satellite.
Step 4: Follow the Guided Prompt
The guided prompt starts simply by asking you for the ZIP code where the satellite dish is mounted.
After that, the menu will display everything, from the skew azimuth, and elevation coordinates on where DISH network satellite should be pointed.
Yes, you’ll need a compass for you to know if the DISH network satellite direction facing south is correct.
Here are a few points to remember: (1) The Azimuth numberwill be your guide to know how many degrees AWAY FROM NORTH you need to point your dish at. (2) The Skew and Elevation coordinates are what you’ll need to know to be able to set the dish itself.
After you find out these figures, the next thing you have to do is to look up the azimuth, skew, and the elevation coordinates on the MyDish website.
Select the appropriate satellite dish, download the document, and follow the steps!
Using the DishPointer Application
Another procedure that can help you find out the best direction for your DISH network satellite dish is the DishPointer application.
It’s an app that is both compatible with Android and iOS devices – and yes, with only your smartphone, you’ll be able to determine the best direction to point your dish at!
To use the app, you’ll just have to type in your location. Furthermore, you can just turn your location services on and it’ll do the work for you!
It’s easy, fast, and simple! The only problem with it is its accuracy. Since the DISH network has its own receptors, the app might not be precise in certain regions.
This is the reason why it’s still recommended to use the guided prompt that is written on your TV.
Still No Display on My TV
After you’ve carefully followed everything in this guide and you’re still not seeing any improvement, contact the technical support team of DISH network.
They’ll ask you for a couple of troubleshooting steps and if it deems necessary, they’ll deploy their technical experts to your location for a replacement of any of the parts they figure to be damaged.
Conclusion
If you initially thought you wouldn’t be able to pull it off, think again! Installing and mounting the satellite dish and pointing it in the right direction is easy, you wouldn’t even spend an hour doing it!
You don’t need any experience in satellite installations to do this – all you need is this guide, a compass, and a ladder!
Kidding aside, hopefully, this answers all of your queries about the best and the most appropriate DISH network satellite direction. Hopefully, you’re able to fix and properly point the satellite in the right direction!
Read Next: Learn how to troubleshoot DISH Network no signal issue.
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.