PDA

View Full Version : First Time Satellite Install Soon...


ExitWound
01-30-08, 10:18 AM
Hi there. Been with cable all my life and transitioning to DirecTV on Feb 5th (hopefully). Here's what I've purchased:

ChoiceXTRA + HD (no DVR) + 2 extra room receivers

My primary questions are concerning the installation going down next Tuesday.
I live in a rented house so there are rules. Here is the letter I was sent.
Installation must not damage the apartment or building. You may not drill holes in railings, exterior walls or any other location. The only acceptable way to install the dish is with a removable clamp that does not require drilling. The dish must be mounted securely so that it cannot be dislodged. Subject to local laws yadda yadda yadda...
What does this leave for me? How does the cabling get into the house from the dish? Do they wire it up to the house wiring? If so, the house is wired with RG59. I had to re-run my own RG6 to the tvs and cable modem to keep the modem working properly.
Pole mounting in one specific designated area outside the backdoor is the only option I've seen used on the local houses. They are all DISH network however. There is a clear southern view as can be seen in the picture below, taken out of the back door where the dish needs to be installed.
If I am to do the pole installation, and I apologize if this seems like a silly questions, who brings the pole? I've searched and found that some people pick up the 2" OD pole from a fencing shop, or Lowes/Home Depot, and install it themselves. I cannot find a clear answer on these forums, however, whether or not the installers will bring the pole and cement to install it into the ground. What part will I have to take before they arrive, if any?
Are poles the only option for ground mounting? Are there tripods which get buried or other devices?
I currently run an HTPC to the TV. Should I disconnect it to avoid confusing the installer when he gets here? I don't want him/her muddling around with the audio and video setup when it's my non-standard theatre hogging up the inputs and outputs on the tv/receiver.
Back to the cable modem (Through Comcast). If I keep the cable modem, I understand I can't use the same cabling as the dish. What if there's no other way into the house other than the wiring from the cable box on the outside?

Apologies if these questions are infantile but I've had no other satellite experience other than pressing GUIDE on my brother's remote a few times. I'm jumping the cable ship due to pricing and options for DirecTV and want the insatllation to go not only as smooth as possibly but as EARLY as possible. I've done much searching on this site (and others) reading about what to expect during the installation. A few concepts are still plaguing me though. I'm a worrier.

houskamp
01-30-08, 10:32 AM
From what I read in your post...
If you can get a pole and install it (in concrete) before he gets there would be your best bet.. just make sure with a level that it is as close to perfectly straight as possible.. installer will then be able to insall/aim dish and will run the required wire..

RTracey
01-30-08, 11:41 AM
The techs I have spoken to have all told me they're supposed to run new coax, but you may be able to convince them otherwise. They'll run the cable along exterior walls and into the house, but any fishing of wiring through interior walls is going to cost extra. If you want them to do a pole mount, you need to tell them before they come out, because there's no guarantee they'll have a pole on the truck. Pole mounts that aren't required due to LOS issues (your case) are an extra charge, so you may want to install the pole yourself before the tech arrives (just make sure you have LOS from where you mount the pole, but that picture you posted suggests you don't have a problem there). General rule of thumb seems to be to make the install as simple as possible for the tech. I don't know about other ground mount options, but I sure others on this board will.

Ross

jhillestad
01-30-08, 12:55 PM
You can run RG6 from the dish to the existing RG59 thats in the house and it will probably be fine... I have done this to a tv or two in my house....

Since you cannot drill any holes you may need to do a pole or a tripod ....

Radio Shack has a tripod that you could then bolt into a concrete block(s) that will work with the AU9.

The installer will not do this part they may for extra money but they will most likely want to use your fascia since you cannot drill into the side.....

here is an example of a AU9 I did just using just a slab :

http://flickr.com/photos/54726479@N00/2230554657/

http://flickr.com/photos/54726479@N00/2230554813/

Doing it this way keeps the dish portable and will NO holes drilled to house or any part of the house..... be sure to use monopoles to keep it real tight.

Personally , I would just have DTV fully install it..... When you move you leave it behind so it becomes part of the house... the owner really should not have a problem with that since it will be sat ready for the next tenant.... the no drill rules are really meant for you .... the sat addition is a value added addition to the house and most landlords will allow these types of add ons as long as they become part of the property - you may not remove it when you leave. Have you contacted the landlord directly about just updating the cable and making the house sat ready - its on your dime so its no cost to him and be sure to remind him you will leave the dish intact when you vacate.

ExitWound
01-30-08, 01:14 PM
Is that concrete block really sturdy? Does it shift in the wind? Today, for instance, we're having 25-30mph winds with gusts to 50mph. Would something like that be sturdy in the winds? We dont' get them often, but sometimes, they're strong here.

When you say "I would just have DTV fully install it", what does that mean? Will they do all they can to mount a pole in the yard or will they have to reschedule for not having the equipment with them when they arrive?

jhillestad
01-30-08, 03:17 PM
That block weighs a lot (available at Lowes) it does not shift at all... but like I said you need to use the monopoles to make it tight ... the AU9 should always have monopoles attached to avoid wind sway...

DTV installers are sub contracted and some are better than others... for extra fee they will do more advanced installs.. like pole mounts , running rg6 in attic , etc...

technically you could just buy that slab like the one I use and have them mount it to that since they can lag bolt it.... a lot of apartment installs are sneaked in buy slabs or tripods and normal installers know the tricks to minimize impact on rentals...

If your just not sure how they want to mount it I would go to Lowes and buy a slab , its by the lumber area NOT patio area and show the installer the picture and see if he'll put it up on the flat part of the roof (or ground)... it will work and wind will not be a problem.... with it monopoled the sheer weight of the slab and dish make it pretty heavy the AU9 is not light like the phase3 dish.... the flat deck part of your roof is the ideal spot but if your desperate the side of the house will do but the level of the ground underneath can change and could cause a level change on the dish.... so flat roof makes best... you will then have a zero impact install of the dish.

Heres a closeup:

http://flickr.com/photos/54726479@N00/2230805747/

some more:

http://flickr.com/photos/54726479@N00/2230805935/

http://flickr.com/photos/54726479@N00/2231600168/