When you rely on satellite service for your television and internet, it is important that the dish is in proper alignment so you can get the best, most reliable service at all times. All satellite dishes require a line-of-sight connection and a specific alignment angle if they are to receive the best signal. Most satellite internet providers in San Bernardino County will offer alignment as an add-on service, but if you’d rather not call out a technician just to handle the alignment, you can attempt to make the adjustment yourself. This can be a quick job if you’ve been experiencing bad or interrupted service and you want to correct the problem.
Here’s a quick overview of the steps you’ll need to take to adjust the point of your satellite dish.
Test the signal
If you’re getting a “no signal” error message displayed on your screen, your first step should be to cycle the power to the satellite. After this is complete, turn the television back on and go to the settings, then view the signal strength. The “signal meters” option will allow you to test each transponder’s signal. The results of this test will give you an idea of where you’ll need to point the dish.
You should always start with a southern-facing direction, as dish satellites are aligned to the south. Facing your dish that way, then, will make it easier for them to calibrate.
Adjusting the dish
To be able to actually adjust the dish, you’ll need to get to where it is on your property, which may mean getting on top of a roof. If you are uncomfortable with doing this or are concerned about the safety of working up on your roof, then you may be better off calling in a professional technician.
You’ll need an adjustable crescent wrench for the adjustment process, as well as a ladder and any other safety equipment you’ll need to safely be able to get at the dish. Make sure you’ve written down the new settings so you remember how to point the dish. It’s a good idea to have another person with you to spot you whenever you’re performing any kind of work on the roof.
Once you’ve accessed the dish, you can begin the pointing process. There are two main adjustments: the elevation and the azimuth. Adjusting the elevation involves moving the dish up and down, and adjusting the azimuth involves moving it side to side. The nuts should be able to indicate the direction in which removal would move the dish. Once you’ve adjusted the dish to the setting that matches the recommendations you saw on TV, you can tighten the nuts back into place to hold the position, then go back down and run another test.
If you’re in need of more information about adjusting the point of your satellite dish to improve your signal, a satellite internet provider in San Bernardino County can help. Reach out to JDS Systems today to speak with an expert.