How to Set Up a Dish 500 Satellite Dish

The Dish Network Dish 500 satellite dish is designed to provide multiple satellite feeds so that more than a single satellite receiver can be used. To set up the Dish 500, follow a strict procedure that positions the satellite dish and ensures that the overhead satellite is being "seen" by the dish. A few tools will be required, along with coaxial cables -- all of which can be acquired from a hardware store if not already on hand.

• 1

  View a compass as you walk around the house. Stop when you are facing an unobstructed view of the southern sky. Place a ladder against the side of the house facing south. Climb up the ladder. Place the satellite bracket against the side of the house. Screw the bracket into the side of the house with wood screws using the Phillips screwdriver.

• 2

  Loosen the screws at the top of the bracket with the Phillips screwdriver. Place the pole attached to the satellite dish into the hole at the top of the bracket. Rotate the dish so that it is facing south. Tighten the screws.

• 3

  Loosen the screws at the front bottom of the dish with the Phillips screwdriver. Place the single end of the lateral LNB pole into the hole in the front bottom of the dish. Rotate the pole so that the two angled far ends are facing up. Tighten the screws.

• 4

  Loosen the screws on the side of the dual satellite LNB module with the Phillips screwdriver. Place the dual satellite LNB module on one of the angled far ends of the pole. Rotate the module so that the plastic tip is facing towards the dish. Tighten the screws.

• 5

  Loosen the screws on the side of the single LNB module. Place the module on the other angled end of the pole. Rotate the module so that its plastic tip faces towards the dish. Tighten the screws.

• 6

  Connect one end of a six foot cable to one of the two coax outputs on the dual LNB module. Connect the other end of the coaxial cable into coax input 1 on the satellite multi-switch. Repeat this procedure with another six foot coaxial cable, the other coax output on the dual LNB module and coax input 2 on the satellite multi-switch.

• 7

  Connect an end of a 6 foot coaxial cable to the coax output on the single LNB module. Connect the other end of the coaxial cable into coax input 3 on the satellite multi-switch. Tape the satellite multi-switch to the side of the satellite bracket with strips of duct tape.

• 8

  Connect an end of a 100 foot coaxial cable to coax output 1 on the satellite multi-switch. Connect an end of another 100 foot coaxial cable to coax output 2 on the satellite multi-switch.

• 9

  Run the coaxial cables down the wall and along the bottom of the house until you reach a door leading inside. Staple the coaxial cables to the wall with the staple gun. Staple the coaxial cables to the bottom of the house with the staple gun.

• 10

  Drill a hole next to the door with the portable drill. Push the free ends of the coaxial cables through the hole. Apply silicone paste to the inside and outside of the hole.

• 11

  Run each coaxial cable along the baseboard of a wall until you reach one of the two satellite receivers. Screw the free end of the coaxial cable coming out the coax output 1 into the coax input on the coax adapter. Screw an end of a one foot coaxial cable on one of the coax outputs on the coax adapter. Repeat this with another one foot coaxial cable and the other coax output on the coax adapter. Screw the free ends of the coaxial cables into the two coax inputs on the satellite receiver.

• 12

  Screw the free end of the other coaxial cable into the coax input on the back of the other satellite receiver.

• 13

  Turn on the satellite receiver that has the coax adapter attached to it from standby mode by pressing the "Select" button on the remote. Press "Menu," "System Setup," "Point Dish/Signal Strength."

• 14

  Go up the ladder. Loosen the knobs on the side of the bracket. Raise and lower the satellite dish until the signal meter being displayed by the satellite receiver reaches the highest number it can. Lock down the knob. Move the dish back and forth until the signal meter again reaches the highest number that it can. Lock down the knob.

• 15

  Press the "Live TV" button repeatedly on the remote to exit the menus. Press the power button on the remote to return the satellite receiver to standby.