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• Installing a Satellite Dish Pole

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How Do I Install a Stable Pole for Improving Satellite Dish Reception?

A satellite dish can act like a miniature sail under the constant push of year-round weather. Buffeted by the wind, a shaky satellite dish greatly increases the difficulty of connecting to the relay satellite overhead, providing it's signal from low earth orbit. Here is a simple recipe to effectively install a solid pole mount to improve satellite dish reception.

Installation Materials:

8 feet x 2 inch, schedule 40, galvanized steel pole (outer diameter is 2 inches)*

* Check with your satellite service provider, some satellite dish mounts may vary such as: (1-1/4" inner diameter Schedule 40 galvanized steel pole, measured outer diameter of 1.6" - DirectTV (pdf)

20 feet x 1 inch electrical PVC gray tubing (your distance may very)
4 Electrical PVC curved elbow connectors (your distance may very)
3 bags of quick setting conrete (sand and gravel) mix

Tools Needed:

Digging Bar for hole digging
Pick ax for trenching
40 feet of rope for rigging
Pole bubble level
3 Cement blocks
PVC pipe cutting tool

Select The Proper Site for Your Satellite Dish Pole

Start by selecting the best spot for satellite reception that's free from obstructions and has a clear view from at least 30 degrees from the horizon. The satellite dish must be pointed directly at the satellite, with no obstructions in between, to allow a strong signal. This means no trees or buildings. Also, consider future tree growth, home remodeling and new construction. Branches, leaves and glass will block the satellite's signal.

Important Installation Considerations:

• Do not install the pole in marshy or wet areas.
• The pole should penetrate at least 3 feet below the surface.
• If the length of pole above ground is too long, then guy wires may be needed to increase the stability of the mount in windy conditions.

Installing a Free-Standing Pole Mount for a Satellite Dish

1. Using the digging bar and a shovel, dig a hole 3 feet deep and about 1 foot wide.

2. Create a trench 18 inches deep, connecting the 3 foot hole and with the location of the satellite modem. At first, remove the loose soil with a shovel, but once the hole get more than a foot deep you may find it easier to use your hands to remove the loose soil.

3. Position cement blocks for leveling the satellite pole.

4. Tie one end of the rope with two half hitches to the first cement block.

5. Place the pole into the two foot deep hole. Tie two half hitches to the top of the satellite pole and continue to thread the long end of the rope through to the second cement block anchor. Then continue to attach the rope to the top of the pole using a second set of half hitches as shown in the picture.

6. Tie off the remaining end of the rope to the third and final cement block.

7. Adjust the cement blocks, leveling the satellite pole, while making sure the rope has tension pulling from all three cement blocks.

8. Once the satellite pole is level, mix the two bags cement with water (follow the directions on the cement bag). Use some extra loose soil to temporarily build a dam to prevent the wet cement from flowing into the trench.

9. Layout the electrical gray PVC tubing for measuring and cutting to size.

10. Assemble the tubing (without gluing) to make sure everything fits. You are now ready for a local internet service provider to send out an internet satellite dish installer to tune your satellite dish, thread the satellite dish cable through the electrical PVC tubing and connect the satellite dish's internet modem.

11. Once the satellite dish installer gets everything connected, tuned and working, you can now fill in the cable trench. Use zip-ties to secure the satellite cable that runs along the outside of the satellite pole.

A small portion of the available energy produced by the solar photo-voltaic panels is used to provide power the satellite modem, using only about 24 watts of energy.

Re-Defining Freedom - Solar Panels, Solar Hot Water and The Free Energy Lifestyle A recent gathering of friends help proved the effectiveness of living "off the grid" with the help of various solar powered energy systems. Here are some photos I took while visiting. Solar Fire Photo Gallery

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