How to Install Satellite Coax Cable in a Home
Select a quality "RG6" (or "RG6 Quad Shield" a.k.a., Since most Direct TV (DTV) DVRs and TiVOs have dual tuners, consider running two cables instead of just one., Install a ground block in a convenient location anywhere between the dish and prior to...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Select a quality "RG6" (or "RG6 Quad Shield" a.k.a.
"RG6QS" for longer runs) coaxial (coax) cable for installation between the dish and each tuner. , In the case of the DTV High Definition DVR or DTV High Definition TiVO, consider three cables if you wish to connect an "off air" antenna to receive local channels that are not available from DTV.
If DVRs are not planned, installing one cable will supply a simple DTV receiver.
More on this below. , It is permissible to locate the ground block inside the home, but it should be as close to the point of entry as possible.
If unable to purchase a ground block to accept all inputs and outputs, it will be required to add additional ground blocks as needed to accommodate all the connections. , and the grounding terminal screw of the new ground block.
These two points must be connected together.
Use a clamp designed for the purpose to connect the #10 wire to the house's ground point.
Do not under any circumstances disconnect or loosen existing ground connections to install the new #10 wire.
Leave enough ground wire to "thread" through each ground block(s) ground terminal.
Route the cable and secure with staples to the mounting surface.
Securely tighten the ground terminal screw to the ground wire. ,,, A utility closet, a point near the telephone distribution block or electrical panel area is ideal.
Label the coax cables "dish" or other meaningful manner.
Be sure to label the coax from a roof top antenna if extended from the ground block. , Affix labels to each of the cables
- if two cables are connected to a single set top box, such as the case for a TiVO or DVR in a living room, label the cables "LR1" and the other "LR2" or some other meaningful term. , The number of inputs equals the number of LNBs on the dish plus one.
A dual LNB dish would require a three input multiswitch.
The extra input is to mix in an "off air" antenna or CATV signal.
The number of outputs of the multiswitch equals the number of tuners (not the number of receivers or set top boxes) in your system.
A system of three set top boxes consisting of two DTV receivers and a DTV DVR or TiVO with two tuners would require a four output multiswitch.
Of course, if you add another receiver later, you'll need a multiswitch that has additional outputs.
Try to buy a multiswitch with enough extra outputs to allow your system to "grow".
Cascadable multiswitches can be installed "down line" from other multiswitches, but must be identified for that use. , DTV will install as many as needed free of charge when they add or change equipment such as receivers or antennas.
It's best to let DTV do this, but there is no reason why you can't if the cost is not an issue. , Connect the coax cables from the receivers to the the multiswitch output connectors.
Snug the connectors to "finger tight" for now. , The satellite cables connect to the satellite inputs
- it does not matter which one.
If you ran only one satellite cable, connect it to satellite input
1.
If this is a location that will need an off air antenna input as well, instead of connecting a cable directly into the tuner, connect it to a "diplexer" input instead.
The diplexer will have a diagram indicating satellite and UHF/VHF connections.
The diplexer "satellite out" connects to the DTV receiver tuner, and the UHF/VHF can connect to the "antenna" or "CATV" input of the DTV set top box OR even an FM Stereo receiver. , Change channels to test both tuners for TiVOs and DVRs.
Alternatively,use the receiver's set up pages to view signal strengths of each satellite and tuner.
Check connections and hardware until satisfied. , Do not over-tighten. -
Step 2: Since most Direct TV (DTV) DVRs and TiVOs have dual tuners
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Step 3: consider running two cables instead of just one.
-
Step 4: Install a ground block in a convenient location anywhere between the dish and prior to entering the home.
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Step 5: Install a #10 copper wire between the house ground point (ground rod
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Step 6: electric meter
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Step 7: Run coax cables from each of the dish's output terminals into one side of the ground block.
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Step 8: Run a cable from any rooftop UHF/VHF/FM antenna (if desired) to the same side of the ground block as the dish coax.
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Step 9: Run the same number of cables that were run into the ground block
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Step 10: between the ground block and a central location.
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Step 11: Run cables from each tuner to the central location.
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Step 12: Select a multiswitch by determining how many inputs and outputs are needed.
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Step 13: Multiswitches become more expensive as the number of inputs and outputs increase.
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Step 14: Mount the multiswitch(es) and connect the dish coax cables to the dish input connector
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Step 15: and the antenna or Cable TV coax to the antenna input connector.
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Step 16: At the receiver end
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Step 17: connect coax cables(s) to each tuner input(s).
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Step 18: Check picture quality at each location.
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Step 19: Securely tighten the coax connectors along each cable where ever they appear with a wrench
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Step 20: starting at the TV
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Step 21: receiver
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Step 22: multiswitch and ending at the ground block or dish.
Detailed Guide
"RG6QS" for longer runs) coaxial (coax) cable for installation between the dish and each tuner. , In the case of the DTV High Definition DVR or DTV High Definition TiVO, consider three cables if you wish to connect an "off air" antenna to receive local channels that are not available from DTV.
If DVRs are not planned, installing one cable will supply a simple DTV receiver.
More on this below. , It is permissible to locate the ground block inside the home, but it should be as close to the point of entry as possible.
If unable to purchase a ground block to accept all inputs and outputs, it will be required to add additional ground blocks as needed to accommodate all the connections. , and the grounding terminal screw of the new ground block.
These two points must be connected together.
Use a clamp designed for the purpose to connect the #10 wire to the house's ground point.
Do not under any circumstances disconnect or loosen existing ground connections to install the new #10 wire.
Leave enough ground wire to "thread" through each ground block(s) ground terminal.
Route the cable and secure with staples to the mounting surface.
Securely tighten the ground terminal screw to the ground wire. ,,, A utility closet, a point near the telephone distribution block or electrical panel area is ideal.
Label the coax cables "dish" or other meaningful manner.
Be sure to label the coax from a roof top antenna if extended from the ground block. , Affix labels to each of the cables
- if two cables are connected to a single set top box, such as the case for a TiVO or DVR in a living room, label the cables "LR1" and the other "LR2" or some other meaningful term. , The number of inputs equals the number of LNBs on the dish plus one.
A dual LNB dish would require a three input multiswitch.
The extra input is to mix in an "off air" antenna or CATV signal.
The number of outputs of the multiswitch equals the number of tuners (not the number of receivers or set top boxes) in your system.
A system of three set top boxes consisting of two DTV receivers and a DTV DVR or TiVO with two tuners would require a four output multiswitch.
Of course, if you add another receiver later, you'll need a multiswitch that has additional outputs.
Try to buy a multiswitch with enough extra outputs to allow your system to "grow".
Cascadable multiswitches can be installed "down line" from other multiswitches, but must be identified for that use. , DTV will install as many as needed free of charge when they add or change equipment such as receivers or antennas.
It's best to let DTV do this, but there is no reason why you can't if the cost is not an issue. , Connect the coax cables from the receivers to the the multiswitch output connectors.
Snug the connectors to "finger tight" for now. , The satellite cables connect to the satellite inputs
- it does not matter which one.
If you ran only one satellite cable, connect it to satellite input
1.
If this is a location that will need an off air antenna input as well, instead of connecting a cable directly into the tuner, connect it to a "diplexer" input instead.
The diplexer will have a diagram indicating satellite and UHF/VHF connections.
The diplexer "satellite out" connects to the DTV receiver tuner, and the UHF/VHF can connect to the "antenna" or "CATV" input of the DTV set top box OR even an FM Stereo receiver. , Change channels to test both tuners for TiVOs and DVRs.
Alternatively,use the receiver's set up pages to view signal strengths of each satellite and tuner.
Check connections and hardware until satisfied. , Do not over-tighten.
About the Author
Jessica Turner
A passionate writer with expertise in hobbies topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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