RV Instructions

Many people who own RVs and Campers choose Dish Network because of the ability to enjoy the same TV they watch at home when they are out on the road.  Connect Colorado makes taking TV with you on your trip a simple, reliable process that anyone can do! 

Here is what the easy to use kit includes:

Dish:
·    1000.2 reflector (the dish).
·    Skew plate; which includes the backing structure and the arm.
·    Bracket -the plastic piece that holds the LNBF.
·    Hardware Pack- nuts bolts and screws. All nuts and bolts are 7/16”.
·    LNBF- 1000.2 for HD and SD
·    50 feet of copper clad steel, RG-6 cable rated at 3 GHz.
·    Compression fittings are attached.

Optional Items:
·    Bubble level-  
·    100 ft. of RG-6 with fittings and a barrel coupler to attach to another cable. -
·    Compass-  
·    Signal Meter-  
·    7/16” wrenches (2 in a set. Can be purchased individually)-  
·    Signal Meter- (includes a free 3’ cable with compression fittings and high frequency barrel coupler for quick pointing) -
·    2 foot folding tripod or 3 foot Tripod with pole-
Necessary Tools:
·    7/16” wrench with second 7/16” wrench, 7/16” socket wrench or crescent wrench)
·    Screwdriver (Phillips Head)
·    Bubble Level (Recommended: small magnetic torpedo level or folding level with straps)
Ballast (used to hold the mount in place):
·    Ground Stakes
·    Cinder Blocks
·    Tube Sand
*** If using ground stakes or penetrating the ground more than one inch, use extreme caution to avoid penetrating any buried utility lines. Always call 811 before digging or driving stakes into the ground.***


Installation Instructions

Line of sight to the satellites is the first step in installation.  One of the largest advantages in using this kit is the ability to find a clear line of sight nearly anywhere you set up camp.  Unlike the expensive antennas mounted to the vehicle roof, you can still find line of sight even if the area you park your RV or camper is covered in trees. Follow these simple instructions to start watching TV!
1.    First you will need to find an area with no obstructions to the south-west sky.  Primarily, there are three satellites you will need to have clear line of sight to; 110, 119, 129.  Satellite 129 is used for HD channels, so if you do not subscribe to HD programming you will only need 110, 119.  
2.    Now you need to find out where to point the dish based upon where you are geographically.  We have provided access to a tool at http://www.connectcolorado.com/DISH-POINTER.html.  To do this, turn on the receiver and press menu. Go to System Set Up, then Installation and finally select Point Dish/Signal Strength.
3.    Enter in the zip code you are in.  It is ok if you do not have the exact zip code, as long as you know a zip code for a nearby area it will work just fine.
4.    Once you have entered in the information for the zip code the information for Azimuth, Elevation and Skew will auto-populate. This is the information you will need to point the dish correctly.
5.    The elevation is the angle you will be pointing at up and down. This can be adjusted on the side of the backing structure.
6.    The Azimuth is the direction you will be pointing the dish from side to side, west to east. This can be adjusted by loosening the bolts that tighten the dish to the pole or mast it is mounted on.
7.     The skew is the angle Clockwise/Counterclockwise that the dish is set at to pick up the different polarizations. This can be adjusted by loosening the nuts the hold the bolts in the grooves and twisting the dish. (see the picture below for clarification)  

Once you have all the numbers you need, go outside and find your spot to place the dish.  Using the compass, find a place with clear line of sight to the Azimuth number.  ( For example, in Denver, CO for satellite 119 you would need a clear line of sight to 191 degrees west on the compass). Find a landmark that lines up with the number on the compass, i.e. a fence post or line on a house.  Use this land mark to remember where you’re going to point the dish.  

Next, make sure that you have line of sight at the correct elevation.  You can get a rough idea by using your arm and pointing at 45 degrees, which is half-way between pointing straight up vertically and pointing straight out horizontally.  

Set the Skew on the back of the Dish by loosening the nuts and twisting it until the mark lines up with the skew number setting provided on the receiver.  Make sure the mast or mounting structure is as level and plumb as possible.  This is very important.  If the mount is not level, you will have to adjust the dish accordingly to get signal.

With your skew and elevation set on the back of the dish, you are ready to point the dish.  If you have a satellite meter, take it to the dish and connect it to the cable coming from the LNBF. Make sure not to use the Input port on the LNBF, any of the other three are fine. If you do not have a meter, connect the dish and LNBF to the receiver and go the Point Dish screen.  Have someone yell out the window or call your cell phone so they can tell you when you are getting signal and what the strength is.
Start by tightening the bolts that will hold the dish onto the pole. Keep them loose enough to be able to move the dish while pointing, but have them relatively tight to make for less adjusting in the elevation once you find the satellite. 

Start from the far west and slowly move the dish to the east.  If you have a level mount and the skew and elevation settings are correct, the first satellite you will get signal from is 129.  As you keep moving the dish to the east, the next satellite will be 119, then 110.  

Use 119 to point off of.  (It will be the second satellite you receive signal from if your meter does not have a display for which satellite it is seeing).  Get a strong signal and tighten the bolts on the back of the dish that attach to the pole.

Next, using your fingers, push the top of the dish downward from behind and check for an increase in signal.

If the signal increases, slightly loosen the elevation bolts and adjust the elevation down until you get the best signal. Then tighten the bolts.

If the signal decreases, then you will pull backwards on the top of the dish from behind and check for an increase.  If it increases, then adjust the elevation up.

If the signal decreases when you push and when you pull, then you are at the correct elevation.

Now repeat this push pull process on the left and right sides of the dish.  Adjust the Azimuth as necessary.  

Attach your cable you used to point the dish to the cable going to the receiver.  Go to the receiver and run a check switch from the Dish Point screen.  If you get green boxes for 119, 110 and 129 then you are ready to download and watch TV.

If you get red “X” boxes or Conn “X” boxes, repeat the steps for pointing.  This is normal until you get the hang of it. 

 

 

               

 

 

CONNECT COLORADO, Inc.
Installing Satisfaction Since 2001
Located in Denver, Colorado  
Serving the Denver Front Range
Phone: 303.462.4444