Need help with installation?  See Q19-Q24.

Q1. What is a satellite system?

Q2. What does a satellite system consist of?

Q3. How many channels can I get with a satellite system?

Q4. Then should I get a Free-To-Air system, since the channels are free?

Q5. Why should I get a satellite system when I have already have cable?

Q6. How does the VCR work with the satellite?  How about my surround sound?

Q7. Can I use a Dish Network satellite system that I have now and order DirecTV programming?

Q8. How do I receive the channels from my area, the ones that carry my local news?

Q9. I live in a condo where it's impossible to erect an outdoor antenna and an indoor antenna may not work because I live quite a distance from town. Is there any way to receive major networks like FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC and PBS?

Q10. I've heard that you need an extra receiver (box) to watch satellite in a 2nd room. Is that true?

Q11. So what if I think I want a second receiver? I have some teenagers that can dominate the television at times.

Q12. Can I have more receivers, three or four?

Q13. Is it difficult to install a satellite system? Can I install it myself?

Q14. What if I want professionals to install my system?

Q15. Can I get this system if I live in an apartment?

Q16. Is there an extended warranty available?

Q17. After my satellite system is installed, how long does it take to get my programming service started?

Q18. So how do I get this for my home or business?

Q19. If I choose to self-install, is technical support available?

Q20. What other items do I need to perform the installation?

Q21. Where will I aim the dish from my particular property? 

Q22. Can I attempt to self-install and then call a professional if I run into trouble?

Q23. What if I find an inoperative part?  How do I get a replacement?

Q24. Is there a shortcut through all this?  Is there a do-it-yourself checklist?

Q25. What about shipping Damage?

Answers:

A1. A satellite system receives signals from satellites that orbit the earth.  The satellites are in what is commonly called the Clark Belt, 22,000 miles from the earth's surface, directly above the equator.  Satellites may transmit several different types of signals.  One type is called digital MPEG-II.  The signal is received by the satellite dish, then it is processed by the satellite receiver so it can be turned into audio or video that can be enjoyed by the satellite user, you.  Some satellite systems can receive data from the satellite and many can even offer connection to the Internet.

A2. A satellite system consists of a reflector, called a satellite dish, a processor box, called a satellite receiver and a remote control.  The satellite dish (placed outside, will not work in attics) is connected to the satellite receiver by a coaxial cable. 

A3. Hundreds, literally.  But it depends on what kind of satellite system you are using. For instance, DirecTV and Dish Network satellite systems can receive about 300 channels, but you must subscribe to their packages of programming.  Free-to-air systems offer programming that does not require a subscription.  The channels are 'in the clear'.  'In the clear' is a term used in the industry to describe a channel that is broadcast without encryption.  Hundreds of 'in the clear' channels exist right now and the number is growing daily.  Free-to-air systems may include a Ku-Band dish (76cm-120cm) or a C-Band dish (120cm-240cm).

A4. Most of the 'in the clear' channels received with Free-to-air systems are not channels that are included in a basic package by DirecTV or Dish Network.  They are specialty channels or new channels that are trying to create a viewership following.  'In the clear' channels are not guaranteed to stay free.  Sometimes they change to pay channels or cease to exist.  Sometimes they remain available for many years.  The trend has been for the number of 'in the clear' channels to grow every year. To see the updated list of FTA channels click here.

A5. Satellite offers many advantages over most cable systems.  Some are: 

Better reliability- Satellite system down time averages 5 hours per year in relation to 50 hours per year for cable television systems.

Better picture-  Satellite picture travels from your satellite receiver to your television.  Cable picture travels from as many as 50 miles away.  Long distances cause picture degradation.

More channels- Cable can't keep up with the number of channel choices on satellite.  It's a physical impossibility.

More value- Satellite offers packages with more channels at lower prices than cable operators charge.

A6. Your VCR works just the same way that it does now.  Your surround sound does too.  If you have a Dolby Digital surround sound system, order a satellite system that includes a satellite receiver with a Dolby Digital output.

A7. No.  Dish Network products only receive Dish Network programming and the same rule applies for DirecTV.  Also, Free-To-Air (FTA) products are what they imply.  They get free channels.  DirecTV and Dish Network programming is not free, so therefore you can't receive FTA signals with Dish Network or DirecTV equipment.  On the other side of the coin, you can't receive DirecTV or Dish Network channels with a Free-To-Air system, with a handful of exceptions. To see some of the current Free-to-Air channels, check out our FTA programming page.

A8. Your local broadcast channels travel through the air from the towers in your area. Many people receive these channels with a simple set-top indoor antenna. Others may need a rooftop antenna to get a good picture. The satellite receiver has an input for local reception. Simply run the line from your indoor or outdoor antenna to it and your remote control will allow you to switch easily between satellite and local area channels. In many cities, local channels are available via the dish.
DirecTV Channels or Dish Network

A9. In many cases, yes, major networks are now available via the dish. See A7.

A10. We recommend a second receiver for large families or situations where 2 persons have distinctly different tastes in TV entertainment. However, it's possible to watch satellite in another room with only 1 receiver. A cable line run from the output of the receiver will carry the satellite signal to any room you desire. For example purposes, let's say that your satellite signal is on channel 3. Without a second receiver, if someone is watching HBO-east in the living room (where the receiver box is located), then HBO-east will also be showing on channel 3 in the bedroom. Your local channels, 2-68 (received from your aerial or indoor antenna) will also be available, so one person may watch satellite in one room while the 2nd person watches a local channel in another, or vice versa.

A11. Well, the second receiver should do the trick. You will have so much flexibility in that not only will 2 persons be able to watch 2 different satellite programs simultaneously, but you have the option of hooking up a second room to 1 or both of the receivers. (see A9) DirecTV and Dish Network add a fee of $4.99 per month for a second receiver that carries the same programs as the main receiver. Don't worry, your receiver has parental controls that can black out the programs you choose on that 2nd receiver.

A12. Certainly.  Usually when you upgrade to three receivers, you will need a special switch.  For DirecTV, this is called a multiswitch.  DirecTV makes two kinds of dishes.  One, the multi-satellite dish, has a 4 way multiswitch already built into the LNBF.  The standard 18-inch dish requires a multiswitch to serve more than 2 receivers. See 'multiswitches' in the 'Dish Network Products' or Switches and Splitters section of our product listings.  Dish Network switches are proprietary.  Call us for suggestions.

A13. The mini-dish (DirecTV, Dish Network and Ku-Band dishes qualify here) is designed to be an easy installation. However, we recommend that you have some mechanical aptitude. You also will need some basic tools. They are: a screwdriver, a level, a crimper, a cable stripper, some wire cutters and possibly a drill. Some folks substitute pliers and scissors for the crimper and stripper. You may need a compass if you're not sure of the directions around your house. (HINT: You will need a southerly exposure. If you live on the east coast, the dish will face southwesterly. If you live on the west coast, it faces south. If you live in the middle of the country your dish will face south and slightly to the west.) If you elect to install your system yourself, you will need a self-installation kit that contains 4 lag bolts, 50' of RG-6 shielded cable, f-connectors, barrel connectors, cable clips and a tip sheet.

Installation of a C-Band dish is a much more daunting task.  We recommend hiring a professional installer.  Still, not all satellite installers have experience with C-Band (big, steerable dish) systems.  If you are considering purchase of a C-Band system, ask us to refer you to a few installers in your area first.  They can help you make the decision that's right for you.

A14. Professional installation is available nationwide at a substantial savings over the national average!  We have a referral network in place of over 300 installers.  Please e-mail technical@americansatellitedistributors.com and we'll provide a few names for you.

A15. You can.  We ask that you make sure of 2 things before you order your new satellite system for use in your apartment home. 1. Please ask the apartment management if they allow dishes on the balcony or porch. 2. Make sure your balcony or porch is situated in a position that allows your dish to face in the proper direction. (See A12)

A16. Yes. Just purchase our Belkin surge protector.  Along with the peace of mind from knowing your system and surrounding components (TV, VCR, and Surround Sound) are protected, you also receive a 3 year $25,000 warranty. The Belkin protector has receptacles for coax inlets and outlets for satellite and VHF/UHF antenna and for your phone lines!

A17. One call to the programming contact number that comes with your system, and you'll be up and running in a few minutes. It's very easy.

A18. Just fill out our online order form and the American Satellite Distributors Satellite Systems staff will start the caring process. You may also call 1-888-805-5522 toll free. Thanks for trusting us!

A19. Yes.  E-mail our technical support folks at technical@americansatellitedistributors.com

A20. You will need a self-installation kit if you are going to do it right!  Save yourself time by having the items you need right there when you need them.  Save money too.  Installation kits are $40 at chain retail stores.

A21. From your computer, download the satellite finder program from the Q & A page of our site located here. Open the program after installing, and enter your zip code and then click COMPUTE.  Your coordinates for the major US satellites will appear on the right of the page. “Azimuth” refers to the compass setting or direction the satellite dish needs to face to receive programming from the satellite listed.  “Elevation” is the angle the dish needs to be pointed toward the sky.  The elevation reading is on the side of the satellite dish mount.

A22. Sure, you can always e-mail us at technical@americansatellitedistributors.com and ask for the names of installers in your area.  Many times, the installer will only charge you for a service call.

A23. E-mail technical@americansatellitedistributors.com when you need a return authorization or you suspect that a part may need to be replaced.  Tech support will instruct you on how to return the item, as well.

A24. Use the information below to help 'cut through the grease' when installing yourself:

Technical help and hints for finding your satellite.

Get the transponder information you need at http://www.lyngsat.com/america.shtml

1.  From your computer, download the satellite finder program from the Q & A page of our site located here.  It's the little yellow box.

2.  Open the program after installing, and enter your zip code and then click COMPUTE.  Your coordinates for the major US satellites will appear on the right of the page. “Azimuth” refers to the compass setting or direction the satellite dish needs to face to receive programming from the satellite listed.  “Elevation” is the angle the dish needs to be pointed toward the sky.  The elevation reading is on the side of the satellite dish mount.  Move the dish mount to the elevation required and then tighten.  Do this before placing the satellite dish on the satellite leg.

3.  Unpack your receiver and place near the television.  The cable from the satellite dish should be connected to “LNB in” or “Satellite In” or “Digital In”.  The cable from the receiver to the TV or VCR should come from the port marked “TV Out”, or “Out to TV”.

Select either channel 3 or 4 on the back of the receiver.  Turn your TV to the channel you selected.  You should have an on-screen menu, and you may address it with your remote control.

STEP NUMBER 4 IS FOR INSTALLATION OF FREE-TO-AIR RECEIVERS ONLY.  SKIP THIS ITEM IF YOU ARE INSTALLING A DIRECTV, DISH NETWORK OR C-BAND ANALOG SYSTEM AND CONSULT YOUR MANUAL.

4.  Go to DISH SETUP (may be called ANTENNA SETTING).  For the LNB type, choose type 1.  LNB LO frequency is 10750. (If your receiver has two frequencies to input, use 05150 for the first LO frequency and 10750 for other LO frequency. (NOTICE!!! This is where most self-installers drop the ball. Your LNBF is NOT UNIVERSAL!  Make sure that your menu reflects this!

Universal OFF

22Khz OFF

Tone Burst OFF

DiSEqC OFF

STEP NUMBER 5 IS FOR INSTALLATION OF FREE-TO-AIR RECEIVERS ONLY.  SKIP THIS ITEM IF YOU ARE INSTALLING A DIRECTV, DISH NETWORK OR C-BAND ANALOG SYSTEM AND CONSULT YOUR MANUAL.

5.  Go to TRANSPONDER SETUP (might say TRANSPONDER SETTING).  Make sure you are looking at Telstar 5.  If Telstar 5 is not loaded into the receiver, you will have to load it.   There should be one transponder with the following settings:

FREQUENCY- 11898

SYMBOL RATE- 20000

POLARITY- VERTICAL

*Scroll through the list of transponders.  If you don't see one with the settings listed above, add it manually.

After you have the transponder loaded, look for a signal meter (it may say 0% at this point) on the screen.  This is the meter you should use while aiming for the signal.  If you don’t have a signal meter, you can call on the telephone from the dish to someone who is sitting in front of the TV watching the signal quality meter.

6.  Back to the dish!  Make sure your dish is level.  The only way your dish will be level (plumb) is to install the dish leg without the dish on it and make sure it is level.

Hold a level vertically against the up-and-down portion of the leg (the little bubble in the level should be in the middle between the lines).  If you don't have a level, you will have a tough time.

7.  Set the elevation adjustment on the side of the dish to the elevation you need for your area.  Now drop the dish on the leg that you just leveled.  Hook up the cable line to the LNBF on the end of the dish and run it directly to the receiver LNB IN (might say FROM LNB).  Eliminate all signal splitters and splices in the line for now.  Run the cable through a window for now if you must, but get your signal first.  After you acquire the signal, then you can hook it to the existing cable in your house.  If your signal goes away, you know not to use your existing cable, but don't waste hours and hours only to find out that you ran your line through some old washed out cable or a splitter that was under the floor!

8.  Move the dish slowly from far left to right.  SLOWLY!  Either use a satellite finder or use a cell phone to call a buddy who is patiently sitting in your living room looking at the transponder signal screen.  (If you never get ANY signal quality, adjust your elevation up or down a degree or two and try again.  Remember, SLOWLY!)  

STEP NUMBER 9 IS FOR INSTALLATION OF FREE-TO-AIR RECEIVERS ONLY.  SKIP THIS ITEM IF YOU ARE INSTALLING A DIRECTV, DISH NETWORK OR C-BAND ANALOG SYSTEM AND CONSULT YOUR MANUAL.

9.  When you get signal strength AND quality near 60, scan the satellite.  You might need to do it twice to get the receiver to recognize ALL of the transponders (channel bunches).  If you think you are missing one, go to http://www.lyngsat.com/america.shtml and click on Telstar 5 and scroll down to see if all of the transponders loaded for you automatically.  If not, manually add the ones that were missed.

STEP NUMBER 10 IS FOR INSTALLATION OF DIRECTV, DISH NETWORK OR C-BAND ANALOG SYSTEMS ONLY.

10. Try to maximize signal strength.  Purchase of a signal meter will help you KNOW when you are acquiring maximum signal strength.

11. If you don't get signal, here are the problems in order of popularity:

a. Dish is not level or plumb (No faking will work here.)

b.  Cabling is compromised somehow by a splice, signal splitter or bad cable connector

c. Aiming at wrong place because of lack of compass (Should have purchased an install kit!)

d.  A tree or roof overhang is blocking the path (Dish receives signal from a higher angle than you think)

e. Satellite receiver's on-screen menu settings are incorrect (See above hints.)

f.   No voltage from the receiver through the cable leading to the dish (May be checked, see below.)

g.  LNBF is bad (May have been dropped creating shock-loss.)

h.  Dish is assembled incorrectly

*-Checking voltage- A volt tester is available for $10 here.  A voltmeter is the best tool.  Unscrew the cable from the LNB.  Take one lead (black) and hold it against the outside of the cable connector.  Take the other lead (red) and touch it against the center wire of the cable.  Make sure these leads do not touch each other, as it will ground out your circuit.  Make sure the voltmeter is turned two clicks to the left from the off position.  There should be a reading of 13V or 18V.  If so, the receiver is sending voltage and the unit is probably OK.  If you can't find the voltage, try all of the voltmeter settings before giving up.  Your voltmeter may be set up differently.  If you ever see 13V or 18V, your voltage is OK.

After checking all of these items, you might need to consider a professional installer.  *Suggestion- Finish the installation of your satellite system.  Tidy up before the installer comes, as he is likely to charge you only for a service call if he thinks that most of the work has been done.  We can refer you to an installer in your area should you need one.  E-mail us at technical@americansatellitedistributors.com to make a request for a local installer.

If at any time, the installer or yourself determines that the receiver or LNBF is faulty, send an e-mail to technical support and tell them you would like a replacement and detail your findings.  Send the item to us in its original box.  Make sure to track it, either with UPS, FEDEX or US Post Office.  Send another e-mail to technical@americansatellitedistributors.com stating the cost of the shipping.  If our bench test determines that the unit is faulty, you will not be charged for shipping of the replacement.  Should our bench test determine that the unit is functional, your shipping charges will not be eligible for refund.  A charge of $10 will be assessed for all items that are found functional and then returned to the customer  

If you return an item that is not faulty you will possibly be charged a restocking fee if the item is not in perfect condition. 

A25.  Please read our policy on damaged shipments and returns here:
http://americansatellitedistributors.com/main/guarantee.html

Thanks for your patronage.  Happy channel surfing!