RCA 15407690 manual Acquiring and Fine Tuning the Signal, Maximum Signal Strength

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Final Installation

Acquiring and Fine Tuning the Signal

Now that you have installed the DIRECTV PLUS™ satellite antenna and routed all of the cable, it’s time to acquire and fine tune the signal. Before you begin, you may want to go outside and double-check the azimuth, elevation, and tilt settings on the dish to make sure they correspond to the on-screen coordinates given.

•Make sure that the elevation indicator is aligned with the edge of metal, not the washer or the bolt.

•Make sure the antenna’s mast clamp is “tilted” to the degree markers indicated.

•Use a compass to verify that the azimuth setting on the dish is correct.

When you are confident that the settings are correct, bring up the “Dish Pointing” menu again and use the on-screen signal meter to see if you are getting a signal. However, once you have acquired a signal, you must fine tune it to insure you have the strongest settings possible.

Maximum Signal Strength

While the maximum signal meter value is 100, the signal strength you achieve will most probably be less. Although there is no difference in picture quality between signal strengths of 60 and 85 percent, the higher the signal, the less likely you are to experience signal outages during adverse weather.

Refer to your digital satellite receiver, HDTV, or HD set-top converter manual for on- screen menu information.

If you are not receiving a signal, you need to incrementally adjust the azimuth setting on the dish. After you receive a signal, you will want to continue to adjust your settings to get the best possible signal.

Tip

You can adjust your TV’s volume to hear the signal meter from the dish location, or you may want a friend to watch the signal meter and relay the strength reading to you.

Step-By-Step Instruction for Acquiring and Fine Tuning the Signal

1.Read the instruction manual that came with your digital satellite receiver, HDTV, or HD set-top converter to determine how to access the on-screen signal meter.

The signal meter shows you when you have locked onto a satellite’s broadcast signal, and gives you the signal strength. It is easiest to use the signal meter with the help of another person to relay signal strength values to you, or by moving the TV displaying the signal meter so that is easily viewed at the point of installation.

2.Make sure that you select the correct type of dish (round or oval). The signal meter will give you the pointing coordinates for your antenna, and values will depend on the type of antenna you have selected. Failure to select the correct dish will result in wrong pointing angles as well the inability to receive certain programming.

3.Access the signal meter. Set signal meter to the 101° satellite (this might also be represented on-screen as “Satellite 1” or “Satellite A”). At this point you will probably not have a signal.

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Chapter 3

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Contents Directv Plus Changing Entertainment. AgainSafety Information Antenna GroundingTable of Contents Final Installation Preparing for Installation Chapter OverviewCompleting the Final Installation Installation OverviewPreparing for Installation Mounting the MastBrick or Poured Concrete Surface Mounting OptionsSolid Wood or Lap Siding Hollow or Cinder Block WallShould I Do This Myself? General Site SurveyFinding a Clear Line of Sight Satellite LocationsHow High Up in the Sky is the Satellite? Recording the Coordinates Using the Dish Pointing Menu ScreenFinding the Dish Pointing Coordinates Precise Site Survey If you live in San FranciscoDon’t have a clear view to the satellite Estimating Cable RequirementsFinal Site Survey ’m Not sure If I have a Clear ViewOutdoor Directv Plus Dish Assembly Overview Hardware IncludedMast Foot Hardware Securing the Mast FootSecure the Antenna Mast Clamp Mast Clamp HardwareFine Tuning Adjustment Reflector Hardware Setting the Tilt PolarizationAttaching the Mast Clamp to the Directv Plus Antenna Attaching the LNB Support Arm and Adapter Move On to the Next SectionMounting the Mast Mounting The Mast On Solid Wood Or Lap Siding Important ConsiderationsMounting Instructions Installing a Spacer Mounting the Mast on Brick or Poured Concrete Yes Mounting the Mast on a Hollow or Cinder Block Wall Important ConsiderationSnap off straps flush with the wall Mounting the Directv Plus Dish On a Pole 45 cut Final Installation Leveling the Mast Leveling Side-to-SideFinal Directv Plus Dish Assembly Leveling Front-to-BackLNB Hardware Acceptable central building ground points Grounding HardwareRouting and Grounding the Cables Cable Routing TipsRunning Cable Into the House Cable Entry OverviewMultiswitch Mounting Hardware Step-by-Step Instructions for Routing the CablesMaking the Final Connections About the Phone ConnectionAcquiring and Fine Tuning the Signal Maximum Signal StrengthFine-Tuning adjustment Final Installation Reference Cabling and Connections Problems TroubleshootingCan’t Pick Up the Satellite Signal Directv Plus Dish Positioning and Pointing ProblemsTemporary Satellite Signal Loss Directv Plus Dish Pointing StepsToll-Free Telephone Product Help Returning Equipment to Thomson for Repair or ExchangeLimited Warranty Index LNBRestrictions 2 RG-6 coaxial cable 100%
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