RV Satellite Installation Instructions

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If you travel from place to place multiple times a year in an RV, chances are you have some way of getting television when you get to your resting spots. A lot of RV travelers have switched to satellite receivers so they can have entertainment at campgrounds that don't offer cable service. By doing this they have traded one hassle for another. They now have a better chance of having TV no matter where they stop (unless it's raining hard), but they have to go through the process of setting up the satellite receiver dish at each location.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Extra coaxial cable
Mount with hardware that comes with it
Screwdriver
Socket wrench
Drill
Sealant

Step 1

Decide where the TV is going to be so that you know where to place the dish mount on the roof.

Step 2

Attach the roof mount with the hardware that comes with it. Use a socket wrench. After bolting it in place, use a sealer to make sure no water makes its way through the holes. If using a ground mount, you'll just run the cable through an open door or window and set up the satellite tripod and satellite each time you stop at a new destination.

Step 3

Run cable from the dish, across the roof in the direction of where the TV is in the vehicle. Run down the side of the RV. The cable can be held in place with clips. You want to be able to remove the cable when you are traveling. At the side of the RV, you run the cable in through a window and to the receiver. There is even flat cable that can be used for that purpose. For a ground mount the cable can be run through the door or window as well. Another option is to drill a hole where you mount the dish and run the coaxial cable through the hole into the living quarters of the RV. Seal the hole after you've routed the coaxial cable through the hole.

Step 4

Install a jack for the cable if you don't want it to run in through a window or door. It takes a simple hole drilled in the side or roof of the RV so the inside and outside jacks can connect. Screw the jack plates to the wall to attach them and use a sealant to make sure the outside attachment fastener holes are weatherproof.

Step 5

Slide the satellite dish onto the mount. There are several types of mounts that you might have. A roof mount will have to be raised into position and tightened down. A ground mount will need to be opened up and the legs locked into place. Ground mounts are typically similar to tripods, although some are a flat piece with a mount that raises up on one side to hold the dish. These look like roof mounts.

Step 6

Tighten down the dish so that it is secure to the mount, and attach the cable connection. If you are using a ground mount, you will need to attach the coaxial cable extension to the dish and connect the other end to the RV.

Step 7

Go inside the RV and connect the cable to the TV if it isn't already connected. Turn the TV and receiver box on.

Step 8

Scroll through the menu to find your services satellite menu and type in the zip code of where you currently are. The receiver will search a database of zip codes and give you satellite coordinates for you to adjust your dish to. An angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees will be given. 0 is exactly horizontal and 90 is straight up. A direction will be given in degrees with 0 being north, 180 degrees being South and all the way back (to the right) to almost north again being 359 degrees.

Step 9

Adjust the dish to these coordinates and go back inside to check the signal strength. Keep adjusting until you get a good signal.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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