Antenna Installation

The very first item to be installed would be the Dish Antenna System. This particular activity is best left to the equipment system supplier. If for any reason this approach is not feasible, insist on the supplier giving you, in advance, full and detailed instruction in regard to all activities connected with the installation and commissioning of the antenna system to be supplied by him. This should include details of any preparation of site, civil work specifications where required, unpacking instructions, list of stores and method of their identification, and what part they play in the installation, step by step method of assembly and erection of the mount, antenna, antenna feed, LNB and adjustments to antenna direction for accessing specific satellites. It should also include details of tools and test items required for the installation and commissioning activities.

Unpacking of the antenna system is best done at the site itself, that too after going through the parts list, assembly instructions and installation methodology a number of times to be familiar with the step by step activities involved and what parts are involved at each of those steps. Check the invoice and the material supplied for completeness and correctness. Even a reliable supplier could make a mistake during packing and forget to include a minor but important part, or supply a wrong part by oversight. Such things do happen, though occasionally. Erect the antenna amount as per instructions on the prepared base or foundation for the mount. (Do not take out the antenna dish sections or elements until the mount is properly erected). Now assemble the dish trussess and the dish sections piece by piece as per the instructions. You would need some manual help in these activities, as also subsequent activities till the system is commissioned. Normally the dish is assembled on the ground/roof top near the mount (in most CTV systems, alongwith FEED, LNB & Cable connection) and then lifted on to the antenna mount for installation. But larger sized dishes may well require the installation to be done piece by piece on a skeleton of trusses erected first on the antenna mount. You have to strictly follow the procedure as laid down in the details supplied by the equipment supplier. In case of any doubt it would be advisable to stop the assembly/erection and consult the supplier. Any mistake at this stage would cost you dearly.

You should carefully take out the feed support and the feed itself and correctly assemble them together and mount it on the dish properly and firmly. It is advisable not to connect the LNB to the system before feed system is firmly in place to eliminate any possibility of mishap. See that the FEED element is connected for receiving the correct polarisation H, V, RHC or LHC, as required. Set the antenna dish in the approximate direction of the satellite, (LOOK ANGLE), with the help of a compass. (Note that sometimes FEED & LNB come as an integrated unit).