New installation questions

[savdom]

Guys, I should be getting my replacement dish with a HR20 and R15 next Saturday. I plan on hooking it all up myself and would like some help verifying I have the right info. I installed the current system ~8 years ago.

I will need to run 4 cables from the dish (AT9 or AU9) to the Zinwell WB68. The Zinwell will not need to be powered. The four cables can connect to any of the four 13v or 18v connections. I will be using 1694a (unless I don’t need 1694a, opinions?) with Thomas and Betts SNS6 Snap and Seal fittings. After watching the video at solidsignal.com/satellite/at9_install_videos.asp it appears I need a Satellite Signal Tracking Meter to align the dish. Is this the case? If so, what meter is recommended?

I need a ground wire from the dish to a grounding rod or to a cold water pipe. No other grounding will be needed. Or is it necessary to run a ground along with each cable run to a grounding block and then run a cable from the grounding block to the central building ground?

Am I forgetting anything? Thanks!

[HDTVsportsfan]

Welcome, you have most of it covered.

The 4 cables can be connected in any order. the compression fittings you are using should be fine as well. Many prefer RG6-Quad cable, but just RG6 is OK.

Accutrac is the brand of meter you would like to have. Someone will come along and spit out the model number. (for someone reason Accu-Trac 20 is in my head)

The grounding should, if at all possible be tied into your main house grounding system. If that is not feasable many will suggest a seperate grounding rod right at the dish. All the cables from the dish should go thru a grounding block as well. As far as the cold water pipe for grounding, there is a rule that the water pipe must be in the ground for a contiinous about of lenght. Like 8 otr 10 feet i think.

If you roof mount the dish you may want to use two monopoles for support. It's quite a bit bigger than the the 8 year old dish you have now. If you pole mount, keep in mind that the pole needs to be 2" outside diameter.

Good Luck.

[savdom]

Thank you.

So, let's see if I have this right. The best grounding method is to run a ground from the dish to a grounding block and run all four cables to the grounding block, and then run a wire from the grounding block to the house grounding system.

Buying a meter for a single installation is a hard pill to swallow. Any options on this one?

I will be mounting the dish on the roof, will the dish not come with what I need? If not, is there a good place on the internet to get what I need?

[HDTVsportsfan]

Honestly.... i think you should do a search on grounding. Grounding really isn't something I like to advise on. Codes vary thru out different localities. I gave you just the basics. You already had alot of it covered anyway. There are alot of good grounding threads here. There are members here that are installers. Maybe RobertE or Mertnz will come along and throw there knowledge out.

I'm pretty sure the monopoles are not inclluded w/ the dish itself. I would imagine solidsignal.com has them.

[savdom]

Cool, thanks again!

[carl6]

Can you align an AU9 without a meter? Yes, if you know what you are doing and work hard at it. Is it a LOT easier with a meter? YES!

I have an Accutrac 22 Pro. Good meter, middle of the line cost wise. Accutrac III is also recommended by many people, costs more. If you get a meter, you need one that can select both 13 and 18 volt, and can select 22KHz tone on or off.

Last of all, with two DVRs (one HR20 and one R15) you could get by without the multiswitch. The AU9 has four outputs. You will need four lines. Perfect match. If you add another receiver down the line, you will need a multiswitch. So run all 4 coax to a common point, then cross connect them to the lines going to the two DVR locations. Then it's easy to put in a multiswitch down the road if you expand.

Carl

[Tom Robertson]

If you can bring a TV that is connected to a receiver out to the new mast location, that method does work for many people. I would not try this via walkie talkies or yelling to someone watching the TV. Just doesn't work for the 5lnb peaking procedure.

Good luck and have fun,
Tom