| Satellite technology has made leaps and bounds | | | | in the adjustment of your TV satellite dish. Using |
| over the last decade, introducing the world to a | | | | your zip code, you can determine the azimuth, |
| whole new era of television entertainment. But | | | | elevation and skew. Pointing your dish is normally |
| have you ever wondered just how a satellite dish | | | | part of the installation process so plan to do your |
| works? So did we. | | | | install when you have time to follow through. |
| Satellite TV is a round, concave dish-shaped | | | | Since the satellite dish is small, it is also light and |
| antenna used in telecommunication systems and | | | | not bulky in size, this also makes it easier to |
| astronomy; an uplink antenna is used to send | | | | mount. Satellite dishes have two antennae's which |
| electronic signals to a communications satellite or | | | | are pointing back to the dish and shooting off into |
| other spacecraft. | | | | the blue sky. |
| To provide you with that quality satellite | | | | Types Individual dishes serving one dwelling: Direct |
| programming you enjoy so much, your satellite | | | | To Home (DTH). Collective dishes, shared by |
| dish must receive a signal from the appropriate | | | | several dwellings: Satellite Master Antenna |
| source. Man-made satellites orbit around the Earth | | | | Television (SMATV). |
| at just about 20,000 miles into the sky. These | | | | The satellite dish is installed by the companies you |
| satellites receive digital signals from your | | | | are getting your programming from. It is at this |
| programming provider, encrypt them and then | | | | time that the dish is aligned with the satellite and |
| send them back out to subscribers. | | | | is tightened down to prevent it from moving in |
| In order to enjoy maximum results from your | | | | most installations. There are rare times when |
| TV satellite dish, you need to be sure it's receiving | | | | heavy winds can cause the diswh to become |
| the best possible signal. Where you point your | | | | mis-aligned. These instances are few and far |
| satellite then becomes an all-important step in | | | | between because the dish is usually mounted |
| getting great reception. But how does one point a | | | | very solidly. |
| satellite dish? | | | | Check with all different satellite providers to learn |
| The good news is that you can usually find this | | | | of the programming choices available to you and |
| information with the help of your satellite provider. | | | | to determine the price range for the optional |
| DISH Network for example features a Point Dish | | | | packages you may select. |
| Signal option in their on-screen menu to assist you | | | | |