How to Remove HughesNet Radio Transmitter?

Kevin Wood Updated on
how to remove hughesnet radio transmitter

Knowing how to remove HughesNet radio transmitters can be very helpful when you decide to return your device to Hughes.

If you don’t know about it, you’re in luck. We’ll guide you every step of the way.

Hughesnet provides high-speed satellite Internet service anywhere, even in areas with slow or no high-speed options.

However, it is not without issues. Some users complain about early termination and year contract issues.

We have you covered if you are generally dissatisfied with your Hughesnet service!

To remove HughesNet radio transmitter, disconnect and remove the satellite modem first. Then, disconnect and remove the radio transmitter from the antenna. Finally, pack and ship the equipment.

Before we proceed to the detailed steps of removing the Hughesnet radio transmitter, let us discuss a few important things.

Does HughesNet Remove Their Radio Transmitter

If you decide to terminate Hughesnet Internet service, make sure you return the modem, power supply, and radio transmitter within 45 days.

Hughesnet is not obliged to de-install the antenna or unmount any cables. You have to do it yourself or hire a professional to do it. 

What to Consider Before Removing Your HughesNet Transmitter

Terminating your subscription from Hughesnet requires you to return the Hughesnet modem and radio transmitter in good condition. Luckily, you can remove the equipment yourself.

Before removing your Hughesnet transmitter, there are a few things you need to consider first.

These include safety precautions and alerts to keep you out of danger.

1. Canceling Your Hughesnet Service

If you cancel your order before installation, you will not be charged. If you cancel within 30 days of activation, you will have to pay the installation and equipment fees.

2. Eligible For Equipment Return

To receive a refund of your equipment fee, you need to return the modem and the radio transmitter in good condition. You have to do it within 60 days of your termination.

3. Charges For Unreturned Equipment

You are not required to return your Hughesnet equipment. But if you decide to do so, do it within 30 days.

4. Hughesnet Refund Policy

You can only get a refund if you return the modem and radio transmitter in good condition within 30 days of activation. However, you will not receive a refund for the installation fee.

You need to consider these things before removing your Hughesnet radio transmitter. Let us now proceed to the steps to remove the Hughesnet transmitter.

How to Remove HughesNet Radio Transmitter

remove hughesnet radio transmitter

Removing your HughesNet transmitter can seem like a daunting task. The fact that they won’t do it for you also adds to the frustration. However, it’s not as difficult as you think.

Before you start the process, you’ll need to get a few tools ready. You’ll need a ½-inch and 7/16-inch wrench to loosen the connectors and bolts.

Apart from that, you don’t need much else, maybe a ladder if you need to climb to your roof.

Step #1: Disconnect Your Satellite Modem from the Power Source

Before you can remove the radio transmitter, you’ll need to make sure to shut down your indoor assembly.

This includes the HughesNet modem and your networking connections to your device.

remove modem power source

You want to ensure that it’s not connected to the power with all the cables removed so you can easily pack it into the box ready for shipping.

Here’s how to properly disconnect your satellite modem from its power source:

  1. Turn off the modem.
  2. Unplug the modem from the power outlet.
  3. Unplug the power cord from the back of your HughesNet modem.
  4. Prepare the power supply adapter and cables for packing.
Tip: If your modem is plugged into a surge protector, unplug it from there first.

Step #2: Disconnect the Networking Cables from the Modem

After shutting down and removing power from your HughesNet modem, the next thing you want to do is to remove the networking cables.

Check your modem for any wired ethernet connections.

If you’re using a router, make sure you unplug the connection between them, so you don’t pack it with connected cables.

Your HughesNet modem only has one ethernet port.

disconnect cables

Here’s how to disconnect the networking cables from your HughesNet modem:

  1. Check the back of your modem for any ethernet connections.
  2. Disconnect the ethernet cable from your modem.
  3. Remove the other end of the cable from your router or computer.
  4. Prepare the ethernet cable for packing.
Note: Pinch the connector to release the cable from the ethernet port quickly.

Step #3: Disconnect the Coaxial Cables from the Modem

After removing the power and networking cables, the only ones left would be the two coaxial cables that are ultimately connected to the radio transmitter.

It’s important that you disconnect everything from the modem before getting around to the coaxial cables.

Coaxial cables can transmit power, which is the primary reason you want everything disconnected in the indoor assembly before moving out to the radio and transmitter.

Here’s how to disconnect the coaxial cables from your HughesNet modem:

  1. Unscrew the coaxial connector of the receive cable from your modem.
  2. Use a 7/16-inch wrench if the screw is too tight.
  3. Remove the transmit cable from your modem.
  4. You can now disconnect the coaxial cables from any wall outlets.
Note: Your satellite modem is now ready to pack. Make sure to keep it with its pedestal base and power supply.

Step #4: Removing Type A Radio Transmitter

After getting all the indoor assembly in order, it’s time to go outdoors. HughesNet only requires you to return the radio transmitter, not the entire antenna assembly.

This makes things easier since the radio is the small box found at the end of the antenna arm.

HughesNet offers two assembly types. Both assemblies are quite similar. Their only difference is how they are mounted to the dish antenna.

If you have a Type A radio, you will need 7/16-inch and ½-inch wrenches to remove connectors and bolts.

Here’s how to remove a Type A radio transmitter:

  1. Remove the coaxial connector on one end of the transmitter assembly.
  2. Remove the other connector on the radio assembly.
  3. With a ½-inch wrench, remove a bolt under the feed horn.
  4. Hold the transmitter and remove two bolts from the top of the tube.
  5. Slowly remove the radio assembly from the feed arm.
Note: The other parts of the transmitter assembly are all attached, so the only component you can remove is the radio.

Step #5: Removing Type B Radio Transmitter

remove transmitter

Type B radio transmitters look like their Type A counterparts. The only difference is that you need to remove 3 bolts from the feed arm instead of 2.

The process is similar, and your only issue is going to encounter if your transmitters are mounted on a pole.

To make life easier, you’ll need to get it down from your pole or roof installation so you won’t need to climb up to remove your transmitter.

If this is the case, you’ll want to get expert help so you don’t get into unnecessary accidents.

Here’s how to remove a Type B radio transmitter:

  1. Remove a coaxial connector from the base of the transmitter assembly.
  2. Remove another coaxial connector on your radio assembly.
  3. Loosen two bolts found on the feed arm.
  4. Hold the radio assembly and loosen the bolt under the feed horn.
  5. You can now gently remove the radio assembly.
Note: HughesNet doesn’t require you to return the feed horn, but you can leave it on if it proves difficult to remove.

Step #6: Packing and Shipping Your HughesNet Equipment

pack and ship

Now that you have all the components you need to return to HughesNet, it’s time to pack them. There are two categories that you need to include.

One is the satellite modem with the base and power supply. The second one is the radio assembly. You can pack these yourself or get a shipping company to do it for you.

In case you want to do it yourself, here’s how you can do it:

  1. Cover the box with an inch of bubble wrap.
  2. Encase the radio transmitter with bubble wrap.
  3. Place the radio transmitter inside the box.
  4. Add another 1-inch of bubble wrap.
  5. Wrap the modem in bubble wrap and place it on top.
Pro Tip: Pack the box tightly with bubble wrap to prevent the equipment from moving around during shipping.

That’s how you properly remove your HughesNet radio transmitter and prepare it for shipping.

As long as you did not mount it high up on a pole or your roof, you will not have a problem disassembling it. You can also contact a professional to help remove the transmitter.

Read Next: Why Is Hughesnet Not Receiving Or Transmitting?

Bottom Line

If you’re still asking how to remove HughesNet radio transmitter, all you need to do is follow these instructions, and you’ll have it ready in no time.