Installation

15. What are some antenna alignment and peaking tips and techniques?

Click here for a printable PDF version of these instructions

Click here to view the Field Service Bulletin SB-0019-1.00 on Antenna Pointing Procedures.

Using the Channel Master Satellite Signal Level Dual Meter (Model 1006IFD) and the Acutrac Plus:

TIP: You may want to purchase the Optional DBS Kit separately, which contains the dual LNBFs, so you can use this method when installing a StarBand system that does not include the dual LNBFs.

1. Configure the antenna with the appropriate AZ/EL/Skew settings for the correct satellite.
   NOTE: Applicable to CONUS only
2. Connect each Echostar dual LNBF with RG-6 coax cable to each one of the LNB connections on the dual meter. You should have one coax cable connected from the inner LNBF and one connected from the outer LNBF to the LNB connectors on the dual meter.
   NOTE: For the GE-4 satellite, the inner LNBF will be looking at the Echostar satellite at 110 degrees west and the outer LNBF will be looking at the Echostar satellite at 119 degrees west. For T-7, the inner LNBF will be looking at 119 degrees west and the outer LNBF will be looking at 110 degrees west.
3. Very slowly sweep east-west-east (or left-right-left) until you achieve the strongest signal for both the Echostar satellites. You have now "bore sighted" the antenna and are ready to peak on the StarBand satellite (either GE-4 or T-7).
   NOTE: You can also accomplish this bore sighting technique by using the DISH TV Receiver this will save time instead of going from outside-inside-outside!
4. Disconnect just one of the connections from one of the LNBFs and connect it to the StarBand linear LNB. It does not matter which one, but you may want to disconnect the LNBF - which has the highest signal strength. Keep the other LNBF connected to the dual meter.
5. Very slowly sweep the antenna until you achieve maximum signal strength on the linear polarized LNB. You may notice a slight decrease in the LNBF still connected to the dual meter, but that is to be expected. You have now peaked the antenna.
   TIP: The dual meter is equipped with an aural tone feature, so you may want to use this function when peaking the antenna.
6. Tighten your elevation and pivot locking bolts and the clamp bolts, being careful not to jar the antenna. Although the antenna should be peaked using this method, the appropriate StarBand automated commissioning system must be called to verify proper alignment. Additional peaking with the StarBand system may be required.
   TIP: While you're tightening the bolts, keep the aural tone on the dual meter to the ON position (the one connected to the linear polarized LNB). This will help you hear if the antenna was inadvertently knocked out of alignment while tightening the bolts.

1. Configure the antenna with the appropriate AZ/EL/Skew settings obtained from using the Point Dish Tool.
   NOTE: Applicable to CONUS only.
2. Connect each DISH dual LNBF with RG-6 coax cable to each one of the LNB connections on the Acutrac Plus. You should have one coax cable connected from the inner LNBF and one connected from the outer LNBF to the LNB connectors on the Acutrac.
   NOTE: For the GE-4 satellite, the inner LNBF will be looking at the Echostar satellite at 110 degrees west and the outer LNBF will be looking at the Echostar satellite at 119 degrees west. For T-7, the inner LNBF will be looking at 119 degrees west and the outer LNBF will be looking at 110 degrees west.
3. Very slowly sweep east-west-east (or left-right-left) until you achieve the strongest signal for both the Echostar satellites. You have now "bore sighted" the antenna and are ready to peak on the StarBand satellite (either GE-4 or T-7).
   NOTE: You can also accomplish this bore sighting technique by using the DISH TV Receiver. However, this technique will save time instead of going from outside-inside-outside!
4. Disconnect one of the connections from one of the LNBFs and connect it to the StarBand LNB. It doesn't matter which one, but you may want to disconnect the LNBF that has the highest signal strength. Keep the other LNBF connected to the dual meter.
5. Very slowly sweep the antenna (1/2 to 1 degree) until you achieve maximum signal strength on the StarBand LNB. Also, adjust the elevation on the antenna until maximum signal strength is obtained. You may notice a slight decrease in the LNBF still connected to the dual meter, but that is to be expected. You have now peaked the antenna.
   TIP: The Acutrac Plus is equipped with an aural tone feature, so you may want to use this function when peaking the antenna.
6. Tighten the elevation and pivot locking bolts and the clamp bolts, being careful not to jar the antenna. Although the antenna can be peaked using this method, the CVACS must be called to verify proper alignment. Additional peaking with the StarBand system may be required.
   TIP: While you're tightening the bolts, keep the aural tone on the dual meter to the ON position (the one connected to the linear polarized LNB). This will help you hear if the antenna was inadvertently knocked out of alignment while tightening the bolts.