Align the satellite dish: Tips for a strong signal

If you want to get the best possible signal with your satellite dish, you have to align the dish correctly. We show you what is important and how the alignment works.

Why a satellite dish instead of cable TV makes sense

• The first big advantage of satellite reception is the wide variety of channels. You only receive 34 TV channels via the analog signal. You can receive well over 100 channels via satellite reception, including international programs.
• The second advantage is the comparatively low cost. You only bear the one-time purchase costs for the bowl and the receiver. The reception itself does not cost you a cent.
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Setting up and aligning a satellite dish: this is required

• You need both a satellite dish and a satellite receiver. Very few televisions have already integrated one. In order to be able to use the full picture quality, you also need an HD-capable television.
• If you have your own house, assembling the bowl is not a problem. If you live in apartment buildings or rent it, you must ask the owner community or the owner or landlord for permission.
• Satellite dishes are oriented towards the south in Germany. There should be no house, tree or even a shrub in the immediate vicinity of the bowl. The direct path to heaven should be completely clear for a perfect signal.
• Neighboring houses are also an obstacle. If a house is south of you, calculate whether the reception could be disturbed by dividing the distance by two: If the house is 10 meters away, it may not be more than 5 meters high. If it is 15 meters away, it may be 7.5 meters high. You can continue to calculate according to this scheme. If the height of the house is below the calculated maximum height, the signal can be received perfectly. Otherwise there may be slight reception difficulties.

Mounting the satellite dish: How to find the best location

• House wall: The best and most convenient way to mount the bowl on your house wall. So you always have access and can easily set it up and maintain it. Also keep in mind that the bowl may need to be cleared of snow in winter.
• Roof: The roof guarantees a good reception in the case of heavy buildings. However, it should only be a temporary solution. Both the assembly and the alignment on the roof are extremely dangerous. In addition, the bowl is unprotected there and is guaranteed to be cleared of snow in winter. That is precisely what can be life-threatening.
• Mobile : With an antenna stand, you can also set up the bowl when camping. If you have a lot of space in the garden, you can use the stand to store the bowl there.
• Rough alignment: Align the bowl roughly to the south. You will not only receive help from a compass, but also from your smartphone.

Align the satellite dish as best as possible

To align the bowl optimally, you should install it with the sky as clear as possible and between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• Tilt angle: The tilt angle in Germany is around 32 degrees depending on the region. For this you will find a mark on the attachment of the bowl.
• Setup: Connect the TV to the receiver and the receiver to the bowl. The television usually shows you a percentage of how good the current signal strength and picture quality are.
• Fine adjustment: Now it is best for two to be on site. One should turn the bowl very easily. The other checks when the television recognizes the signal as perfect or checks whether he is personally satisfied with the picture.
• Tip: Place a wet rag over the LNB. This is the little box opposite the bowl. So you simulate bad weather and therefore bad reception. With this trick, the bowl can be aligned so that the reception is still good even in bad weather.

Alternatives to the satellite dish

Lack of space, optics or the lack of permission quickly speak against the installation of a satellite dish. Fortunately, there is still an alternative for satellite reception.

• The so-called flat antennas are significantly more space-saving and less noticeable. Inexpensive models are already available for less than 50 euros.
• Due to the small size, no approval is usually required, since the devices are significantly less noticeable and can also be hidden if in doubt.
• When installing a flat antenna, you should pay attention to the same points. There is no big difference to the satellite dish here.

Connect the TV correctly

Read this practical tip to find out where you can get not only television but also Internet via satellite.

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