New install questions

[Teecee33]

I am almost done with my new install in my new house. I just got finished running my RG6 x2 and my cat6 to all my TVs. Did a great job if I say so myself. Anyways the next step is to install the dish. I am mounting it about 15ft up the side of my house into brick. It is an A9 5LNB dish to go with my three HR-20s. I am a Home Depot/
Lowes kinda guy and love to do projects myself. I was wondering what what you guys suggest to mount this dish to brick? I know the instructions suggest using a monopole to help brace it to the wall. Get that and some concrete anchors?

Also the wiring, do I need to protect the outside of the connectors with electrical tape or something else? If I might a Zinwell WB68 on the side of my house by the dish, do I need to insulate this box from rain and weather?

Also any tips in aiming this dish? I have a clear view of the southern sky. MY neighbor behind me has Dtv so I know kinda the direction I need to point mine. Atleast it is a starting point.

The reason I am installing this myself is a few reasons. First I moved into an apartment for 8 months while my house was being built. My apartment does not allow sat. dishes. I just kept paying my Dtv bill because it was cheaper than to break my contract. Now that I moved into my new house Dtv will only do the install for me if I sign a new contract and buy all new gear. I have been on the phone with them a while and am very frustrated. Second is the first installer did a TERRIBLE job. Loose connections, hanging wires, wall plates not done correctly, sat. was not aimed proper. I know I can do a better job than that, and I did so far. Third is I enjoy this sort of stuff.


One last question. I read the review on the HR20 saying that the network cable is active but no features have been turned on for this yet. Any idea when this might be? If it will someday allow my wife to record her HGTV shows downstairs, and watch them in the bedroom upstairs, then I just struck it rich.

[Earl Bonovich]

Connecting it to the Brick:

Either the appropriate anchors for your type of brick; Or the self-tapping concrete screws (I love those)... Get the largest that will fit in the openings of the AT9..

I am not 100% sure if the Zinwell is weatherproof or not.
The connections if done correctly, don't need to be taped up.


As for the network connection... right now there is no eta if/when we would see the Multi-Review that is your gold mine for your wife.

[carl6]

You've had three HR20's for all 8 months you were in the apartment? Your two year committment begins on the day you add the last HR20 to your account, so you may only be adding a couple of months, not an additional year or two.

Second, they have the movers connection. You should take advantage of that to get the dish installed at the new location.

Third, aiming the AT9 is not for the inexperienced or amateur. It is difficult and you really should have a good signal meter to aid with the installation.

Your HR20 should provide you with the azimuth, elevation, and tilt for aiming the dish based on your zip code. Don't do it based on where your neighbor's dish is pointed unless it is exactly the same dish (different dishes are aimed at different satellites - you could end up pointing at the totally wrong place).

Check the threads on these forums, there have been links to both solidsignal.com where there are installation videos for the AT9, as well as to another site that had a good written manual on installating the AT9. It is a very detailed, specific, installation procedure. You can't "ballpark" the dish and have everything work.

Did you use RG6 with solid copper center conductor? That is what is specified for the AT9.

Good luck on your install.

Carl

[Teecee33]

I was thinking those blue tapcon concrete screws myself. Very easy. I just bought the HR20s.

[tommyb]

You probably still renewed your contract even though you bought them. I would call D* and find out. At least let them mount and aim the dish, that way they have to come back out if any problems. Just stay with the installer the whaole time and make hime do what is acceptable work to you. That is what I have done for all of my installs and never have any problems, it allows you to nip any sloppiness in the bud.

[Teecee33]

You probably still renewed your contract even though you bought them. I would call D* and find out. At least let them mount and aim the dish, that way they have to come back out if any problems. Just stay with the installer the whaole time and make hime do what is acceptable work to you. That is what I have done for all of my installs and never have any problems, it allows you to nip any sloppiness in the bud.

Ok. I will give them a call again. It wouldn't surprise me. I have had a different story several times when I call them.

[glennb]

You've had three HR20's for all 8 months you were in the apartment? Your two year committment begins on the day you add the last HR20 to your account, so you may only be adding a couple of months, not an additional year or two.

Second, they have the movers connection. You should take advantage of that to get the dish installed at the new location.

Third, aiming the AT9 is not for the inexperienced or amateur. It is difficult and you really should have a good signal meter to aid with the installation.

Your HR20 should provide you with the azimuth, elevation, and tilt for aiming the dish based on your zip code. Don't do it based on where your neighbor's dish is pointed unless it is exactly the same dish (different dishes are aimed at different satellites - you could end up pointing at the totally wrong place).

Check the threads on these forums, there have been links to both solidsignal.com where there are installation videos for the AT9, as well as to another site that had a good written manual on installating the AT9. It is a very detailed, specific, installation procedure. You can't "ballpark" the dish and have everything work.

Did you use RG6 with colid copper center conductor? That is what is specified for the AT9.

Good luck on your install.

Carl

Second,
The OP explained they liked doing this kind of stuff themself and didn't want to deal with a crappy "free" installer. I wonder why you suggested they use the movers connection ?

Third,
A lot of people have posted here about installing their own AT9 dish. You shouldn't have a problem installing it yourself if you do exactly what the instuctions say. The installation instructions say to use a meter but right in the instuctions it also describes using the DIRECTV receiver each step of the way to monitor signal stength.

I'm pretty sure the OP meant his neighbor has DIRECTV so he shouldn't have any trouble getting a signal. I doubt the OP was gonna try to aim their dish based on eyeballing how the neighbor's dish is pointing.

Where do you get the RG6 with the "colid" copper center ?
:)

[Teecee33]

Second,
The OP explained they liked doing this kind of stuff themself and didn't want to deal with a crappy "free" installer. I wonder why you suggested they use the movers connection ?

Third,
A lot of people have posted here about installing their own AT9 dish. You shouldn't have a problem installing it yourself if you do exactly what the instuctions say. The installation instructions say to use a meter but right in the instuctions it also describes using the DIRECTV receiver each step of the way to monitor signal stength.

I'm pretty sure the OP meant his neighbor has DIRECTV so he shouldn't have any trouble getting a signal. I doubt the OP was gonna try to aim their dish based on eyeballing how the neighbor's dish is pointing.

Where do you get the RG6 with the "colid" copper center ?
:)


I called them. Same useless story. I am gonna give it a shot myself. We will see how things go. Now I do not mind paying a quality installer to do this for me, but some of DTV's installers are sub-par. I do not mind paying good money for good quality work. It is hard to find these days.

[cawgijoe]

Use the concrete anchors as others have mentioned. Use one or two monopoles to give additional support.

I would use compression connectors on your RG6 cable. You can buy the IDEAL brand Omniseal compression tool at Lowes or Home Depot as well as the connectors themselves. Once you use this method of connection you won't go back to crimping.

You don't have to seal the connectors, but I usually use good quality 3m 33 brand electrical tape as a precaution against any possible water seepage. Make a drip loop before connecting.

The AT-9 is harder to align then the other dishes, and the video shows the installer using a satellite finder tool for this (signal meter). My installer used this same tool to locate the satellites. it's not cheap....will run you over $100, but may be of use not only now but in the future if you ever have to tweak. I have thought about buyng one, but haven't done so as of yet.

If you can put the Zinwell in the house or under shelter, you are better off. You may be able to mount it near the dish and cover it with a plastic box....I've seen these at Lowes and Home Depot.......

let us know what happens.

The signal meter used is the Accutrac 22 PRO....it's blue in color and runs about $120.

[carl6]

Where do you get the RG6 with the "colid" copper center ?
:)

Edited to correct the typo.

Carl

[satguy22]

Maybe if they paid these guys a little more and gave them fewer jobs per day everyone would get better service but the thought of getting so much for free is malking dtv paying less and hiring people who once worked at Mc-something to hook you up in a professional way with little or no training. Plus punishing them if they dont do 3 4 5 jobs a day. so to make the free part pay off for who ever. Who cares for the working man? We just want is free and if we can get a pole mount and wall fishes too, I dont care if he has too work 10, 12 hours to get his jobs done, I just want mine done now!

[shortstop11_jeff]

Maybe if they paid these guys a little more and gave them fewer jobs per day everyone would get better service but the thought of getting so much for free is malking dtv paying less and hiring people who once worked at Mc-something to hook you up in a professional way with little or no training. Plus punishing them if they dont do 3 4 5 jobs a day. so to make the free part pay off for who ever. Who cares for the working man? We just want is free and if we can get a pole mount and wall fishes too, I dont care if he has too work 10, 12 hours to get his jobs done, I just want mine done now!

I had already ran all my wire by driling through my house myself, I had already activated my HR20, so basically all they had to do with my install is switch out the 3lnb dish for the 5lnb AT-9. The installer said I was a "dream" install, but that still didnt keep him from falling off of the ladder from my deck- so no matter how well you prepare, you still may run into problems :)

[Teecee33]

One more question guys. In the satellite instructions, it says I need to support this dish because it is heavier with a mono rail. It looks just like a piece of metal that one end attaches to the satellite arm and the other attaches to the brick. Any idea where I can get something like that? Some links would be great.

[litzdog911]

Several eBay sellers have them ....
http://cgi.ebay.com/AT9-Ka-Ku-Dish-Braces-Arm-Support-Monopole-NEW_W0QQitemZ150040684334QQihZ005QQcategoryZ32840Q QcmdZViewItem

[Teecee33]

Thanks.