RCA DIRECTV PLUS 15407690 Assembly instructions

DIRECTV PLUS
™
Satellite Dish
Antenna
Changing Entertainment. Again.
Installer's Guide

Safety Information
DANGER! Avoid Power lines! When following the instructions in this guide to install and connect the
DIRECTV PLUS™ satellite antenna and connections, take extreme care
to avoid contact with overhead power lines, lights and power circuits.
Contact with power lines, lights, and power circuits may be fatal.
CAUTION Before connecting the satellite receiver, read the Safety Information that
came packed with the satellite receiver.
Outdoor Dish The outdoor dish antenna used to receive satellite signals and the
Antenna Grounding cable used to connect the outdoor dish antenna to the indoor receiving
unit are required to comply with local installation codes and the
appropriate sections of the National Electrical Code (NEC), especially
Articles 250, 810 and 820. These codes require proper grounding of the
metal structure of the outdoor dish antenna and grounding of the
connecting cable at a point where it enters the house (or other building). If
you are having a professional installer make the installation, the installer
must observe installation codes in making the installation. The Satellite
System Self-Installer’s Kit contains instructions on how to make the
installation in compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). If
additional local installation codes apply, contact local inspection
authorities.
Compliance with Before installing the satellite system, check the electrical code
National Electrical Code guidelines in your area.
Note to Satellite Dish Installer This reminder is provided to call your attention to articles 810 and 820 of
the 1999 National Electrical Code. Refer to article 810, in particular to 810-1
and 810-15, for required grounding of the metal structure of the Dish
Antenna. Refer also to 810-2 which, by reference to article 820, requires
that the satellite dish coaxial cable shield be connected to the grounding
system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical.
Restrictions Before installing your dish, check the zoning codes, covenants and
community restrictions in your area. Some rules prohibit installing large
satellite dishes, but may allow small ones. Also, there may be restrictions in
your area that limit the mounting height of dishes.
If you encounter homeowner or community restrictions, call 1-800-679-
4776. Personnel at this number can provide information that may be
helpful when attempting to obtain permission to install a satellite system on
your property.
DIRECTV and DIRECTV PLUS are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp., and are used with permission.

1
Table of Contents
Preparing for Installation ................................................ 3
Installation Overview ........................................................... 4
Mounting Options ................................................................ 5
Solid Wood or Lap Siding................................................. 5
Brick or Poured Concrete Surface .................................... 5
Hollow or Cinder Block Wall ......................................... 5
Pole Mount...................................................................... 5
General Site Survey .............................................................. 6
The Satellite Locations .................................................... 7
How High Up in the Sky is the Satellite? .......................... 7
Finding a Clear Line of Sight............................................ 7
Finding the Dish Pointing Coordinates ................................. 8
Using the Dish Pointing Menu Screen .............................. 8
Precise Site Survey ............................................................... 9
Final Site Survey ........................................................ 10
Estimating Cable Requirements.......................................... 10
DIRECTV PLUS™ Dish ssembly Overview .......................... 12
Hardware Included ........................................................ 12
Securing the Mast Foot ...................................................... 13
Secure the ntenna Mast Clamp: ........................................ 13
Setting the Elevation and ttaching the Fine
Tuning djustment .......................................................... 14
ttaching the Mast Clamp to the DIRECTV PLUS™ ntenna . 15
Setting the Tilt (Polarization) .............................................. 15
ttaching the LNB Support rm and dapter...................... 16
Mounting the Mast ........................................................ 17
Mounting The Mast On Solid Wood Or Lap Siding ............... 18
Mounting Instructions ................................................... 19
Installing a Spacer ......................................................... 20
Mounting the Mast on Brick or Poured Concrete................. 21
Mounting the Mast on a Hollow or Cinder Block Wall.......... 23
Mounting the DIRECTV PLUS™ Dish On Pole .................... 25

Table of Contents
2
Final Installation ........................................................... 27
Leveling the Mast............................................................... 28
Leveling Side-to-Side ..................................................... 28
Leveling Front-to-Back ................................................... 29
Final DIRECTV PLUS™ Dish ssembly ................................. 29
Few Words bout Grounding the
DIRECTV PLUS™ System ................................................... 31
Routing and Grounding the Cables .................................... 32
Running Cable Into the House............................................ 33
Cable Entry Overview.................................................... 33
Step-by-Step Instructions for Routing the Cables ........... 34
Making the Final Connections ............................................ 35
Step-By-Step Instruction for cquiring and
Fine Tuning the Signal ................................................ 36
cquiring and Fine Tuning the Signal ................................. 36
Reference....................................................................... 39
Troubleshooting................................................................. 40
Can’t Pick Up the Satellite Signal ................................... 40
Cabling and Connections Problems ............................... 40
DIRECTV PLUS™ Dish Positioning and Pointing Problems 40
Temporary Satellite Signal Loss ..................................... 41
You hear a dialing sound while talking on the phone
(If the Satellite Receiver is Connected to a Phone Line) 41
Toll-Free Telephone Product Help ....................................... 42
Limited Warranty ............................................................... 43
Index ................................................................................. 44

Preparing for Installation
Chapter Overview:
33
Chapter 1
•Installation Overview
•Mounting Options
•General Site Survey
•Finding the Dish Pointing Coordinates
•Estimating Cable Requirements
• DIRECTV PLUS™ Dish Assembly Overview
• Setting the Elevation and Attaching the
Fine Tuning Adjustment
• Attaching the Mast Clamp to the DIRECTV
PLUS™ Antenna
• Setting the Tilt (Polarization)
• Attaching the LNB Support Arm and
Adapter

Preparing for Installation
4Chapter 1
Installation Overview
The manual is organized into steps that need to be performed in the order presented.
Preparing for Installation
•Complete a General Site Survey –Visually survey your location to make sure it is
suitable.
•Obtain Dish Pointing Coordinates –Use the on-screen menu system to obtain the
exact coordinates (azimuth, elevation, and tilt (polarization)) for pointing the dish.
Directions for using on-screen menus can be found in your digital satellite receiver,
HDTV, or HD set-top converter manual.
•Select the Precise Mounting Site –Use the dish pointing coordinates to conduct a
precise site survey to determine the exact mounting site.
•Estimate Cable Requirements –Based on your mounting site, you will decide
where you want the cables to enter your house, and measure how many feet of cable
you need to complete the connections.
•Begin Dish Assembly –Partially assemble the satellite dish antenna so that you can
preset the correct elevation and tilt (polarization).
•
Set the Antenna’s Elevation and Azimuth Coordinates –
These are important steps. Making sure that your elevation, azimuth and tilt settings
are correct will help you to more easily obtain the signals later on.
Mounting the Mast
•Mount the Mast –Step-by-step instructions for different mounting options.
Completing the Final Installation
•Square the Mast –The mast must be perfectly plumb and level to obtain the
signal(s).
•Complete the Dish Assembly –Secure the antenna on the mast, connect the RG-6
coaxial cables to the LNBs, and attach the LNBs to the adapter and the feed tube.
•Route the Cables to the Grounding Block –Attach two grounding blocks to the
house and route the cables from the dish to the grounding blocks. Also, route a
grounding wire from the grounding block to the central building ground.
•Run the Cables into the House –Run the RG-6 cables from the grounding blocks
into the house and attach to the multiswitch.
•Make the Final Connections –Connect an RG-6 cable to any of the outputs on the
multiswitch and to the satellite input(s) on your digital satellite receiver, HDTV, or HD
set-top converter.
•Acquire and Fine-tune the Satellite Signal –Use the on-screen signal meter to
check for a signal. Once the signal is obtained, adjust dish pointing azimuth and
elevation as needed to achieve maximum signal strength for all satellites.
•Order Satellite Programming –Call the service providers to order satellite
programming.

Chapter 1 5
Preparing for Installation
Mounting Options
VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure that the mast is both PLUMB and LEVEL. If the mast is not PLUMB
and LEVEL, the elevation, azimuth, and tilt settings you get from on-screen instructions will
not be accurate and you may not be able to acquire the signal.
Solid Wood or Lap Siding
Important Considerations:
•Do NOT mount the DIRECTV PLUS™dish where someone might use it
as a handrail.
•Do NOT mount the DIRECTV PLUS™dish on any type of aluminum or
vinyl siding.
•Do NOT mount the DIRECTV PLUS™dish on any type of composite
paneling, such as fiber board, particle board, or strand board.
•Do NOT mount the DIRECTV PLUS™dish under an eave or overhang
that may block or partially shadow the DIRECTV PLUS™dish.
•Make sure the wooden surface is structurally sound and can support
the weight of the DIRECTV PLUS™dish.
Brick or Poured Concrete Surface
Important Considerations:
•The wall anchors used must have a strength of at least 300 pounds of pullout pressure.
The use of B4015 or equivalent double-expansion anchors is recommended.
•Do NOT mount the DIRECTV PLUS™dish under an eave or overhang that may block
or partially shadow the DIRECTV PLUS™dish.
A Hollow or Cinder Block Wall
Important Consideration:
•Do NOT mount the DIRECTV PLUS™dish under an eave or overhang that may block
or partially shadow the DIRECTV PLUS™dish.
Pole Mount
Important Considerations:
•Do not install the pole in wet or marshy areas.
•The pole must go at least 3 feet below the surface.
•If the length of pipe above ground is too long, guy wires may be needed to increase
the stability of the mount in windy conditions.
•You will need to ground the pole in addition to the antenna and coaxial cable.
•The pole that has been secured in the ground with concrete replaces the mounting foot
and mast assembly which were supplied with the DIRECTV PLUS™ dish. The DIRECTV
PLUS™ dish is held on the pole by the mast clamp.

Preparing for Installation
6Chapter 1
Should I Do This Myself?
While the installation is not difficult, it does require that you have some experience in
electrical wiring and minor construction techniques. Also, you may have to climb a
ladder, so you’ll want to be comfortable working with heights.
Depending on how you install the DIRECTV PLUS™satellite dish, you may be
required to:
•Use power tools to drill holes in your house
•Determine where utilities such as water pipes, electrical wiring
or gas lines are hidden within walls
•Run coaxial cable through a foundation, under floors, or through interior walls
•Ground an antenna and coaxial cable as recommended in the National Electrical
Code*.
If you have properly installed a previous satellite, outdoor television antenna, or a
garage door opener, then you can be reasonably confident that you can install this
system yourself.
If you have not worked with any of these products, then this probably isn’t the time to
learn about installation techniques. While deciding whether you are right for this job, you
should also keep in mind that your DIRECTV PLUS™ satellite antenna has more fine-
tuning requirements going beyond those of a single-satellite antenna and it may be more
difficult to obtain signal(s).
Consider contacting your local authorized retailer to recommend a professional
installer.
General Site Survey
Your DIRECTV PLUS™antenna receives data from two separate satellites at once; one
sending High Definition signals, and one broadcasting standard digital signals. So, to
pick up the pair of signals, your DIRECTV PLUS™antenna must tune to two satellite
signals from one mounted position.
Not only can there be NO obstructions between the DIRECTV PLUS™satellite dish
antenna and the satellites, but you must also have the unit mounted exactly plumb and
level in order to get HD and standard digital broadcasts from given coordinates.
When mounting your DIRECTV PLUS™satellite antenna, take into consideration future
tree growth, house remodeling or additions, and new construction in your area.
•The satellite signal WILL NOT PASS through leaves or branches.
•The satellite signal WILL NOT PASS through glass; don’t try to install your
DIRECTV PLUS™dish indoors!
*The National Electric Code is published by the National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, Maryland, 02269. It is also available at many hardware stores and home centers.

Chapter 1 7
Preparing for Installation
The Satellite Locations
Both satellites are always located south of the United States at approximately 101°and
119°latitude. That means if you live in Miami, you must have a clear line of sight
west/southwest; if you live in San Francisco, you must have a clear line south/
southeast.
N
S
EW
N
S
EW
N
S
EW
San Francisco, CA
look southeast
Miami, FL
look southwest
Indianapolis, IN
look southwest
101°Satellite
119°Satellite
;;;
;;;
;;;
;;;
;;;
NO
60°30°
MAYBE
60°30°
YES!
60°30°
90°
0°
30°
60°
How High Up in the Sky is the Satellite?
Depending on where you live, the satellite will be at an elevation angle between 30
and 60 degrees. Southern states point more upward toward 60 degrees; northern
states point more downward toward 30 degrees.
Finding a Clear Line of Sight
1. Go outside and locate at least one site on your property that has a clear view to
the satellite. You should be reasonably certain you are pointing toward Texas
(unless you’re in Texas, in which case you should be looking due south). You
may want to use a map.
2. Imagine an arc ranging from 30 to 60 degrees above the horizon.
3. Do you have at least one clear view to the satellite? Remember, no trees, leaves,
buildings, or windows can be between the DIRECTV PLUS™dish and the
satellite.
If the answer is NO, your site may be unsuitable for installing the satellite
system.
If the answer is MAYBE, you may want to contact a your local digital satellite
dealer for information about having a professional installer conduct a thorough
site survey.
If the answer is YES, your site should be suitable for installing the system. Go
ahead to the next section in this manual.

Preparing for Installation
8Chapter 1
Finding the Dish Pointing Coordinates
Finding the dish pointing coordinates for your location includes presetting the
elevation and tilt. This is done by following directions that appear on your TV
screen. You need to make sure that your digital satellite receiver, HDTV, or HD
set-top converter is connected and working so that you can see these menu
directions on a television screen.
See the User’s Manual that came with your digital satellite receiver, HDTV, or
HD set-top converter for more information about finding the antenna’s pointing
coordinates.
Using the Dish Pointing Menu Screen
You need to use your digital satellite receiver, HDTV, or HD set-top converter’s
on-screen menu feature to obtain the precise dish pointing coordinates for your
location. You can find these numbers by navigating through these menus.
Because this DIRECTV PLUS™satellite dish antenna can be used with several
different types of products, we cannot show you the specific instructions for
obtaining dish pointing information here. Specific instructions for using on-
screen menus can be found in the manual that came with your HDTV, set-top
converter, or satellite receiver.
Recording the Coordinates
When you’ve obtained the coordinates, record the elevation, azimuth, and tilt
(polarization) numbers below.
Elevation ___________________ Azimuth _____________________ Tilt (polarization) _______________
Elevation is the up/down
angle that the dish is
pointed.
Azimuth is side-to-side
direction that the dish is
pointed.
Tilt (polarization) is the
circular rotation of the dish
itself, like a steering wheel.
OUT TO TV
Satellite Receiver or
Set-Top Converter
Television
ANTENNA IN
Tip
If you are using a digital satellite
receiver or HD set-top converter, you
can make a simple connection as
shown below to get your dish
pointing coordinates now, and to
view the signal meter later in the
installation process.