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Contributor

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3 Messages

Monday, October 17th, 2011 6:14 PM

Running an Underground Line for Dish

I am with a general contractor trying to install an existing satellite at a new location for a client who once had an account with DirecTV. Currently, there is no active account for this client, so we're having a hard time getting technical information. My question is two-fold:

 

1) What are the specifications for mounting the satellite dish, i.e. specific direction, etc.

2) The barn location where we would like to mount the dish is approximately 500 ft from the Main House and Garage where the service is needed. How much distance can a simple signal traverse without needing a repeater of some sort? Also, please note that this line is going to be 90% underground, so we need to know this info up front so we can trench for conduit. (This is the more important question.)

 

The client may or may not decide to subscribe to DirecTV, as they have not decided what sort of service they want at the new structures. However, they have asked that everything be installed prior to the completion of the job so they will have easy activation, if they so choose.

 

PLEASE HELP!

Guru

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535 Messages

13 years ago

500' is just to far of cable for the proper Satellite to operate off of. Here are the maximum run the Satellite system will work properly. 250' for Standard def programming and 150' for HD programming. I have seen HD programming run through 300' and signal levels should of been around 95% to 97% they were reading at lower 80% at the receiver. Pushing it another 200' would of had ultimate signal loss since when the signal drops lower then 75% you will get freeze fram pictures and audio blurbs. Using RG10 coax cable might help, but I would consider a closer location. You can judge the LOS and location by going to dishpointer.com or by using one of the free apps for a smartphone.

ACE - Sage

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46.4K Messages

13 years ago

irishntn meant RG11 coax.  But 500' is probably too far even for RG11.  

 

Why can't you install the dish closer to the main house?

Contributor

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3 Messages

13 years ago

Thanks for the input. This is really helpful.

 

The location of the dish at the barn (500' away) is purely a matter of aesthetics. The Client does not want to see it... at all. So now my question is, if we cannot convince them to mount the dish closer to the Main House, is there signal repeater or a booster box of some sort that we can use in between the dish and the receivers to amplify the signal so that we do not have to choose another (i.e. closer) location?

 

Thanks again!

ACE - Professor

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2K Messages

13 years ago

NO- If they wish not to see the dish-then they wish not to see any TV.

ACE - Sage

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46.4K Messages

13 years ago

Satellite signal boosters are not recommended with the newer HiDef dish setups.  They're nothing but trouble.  You really should convince the client that the dish must be closer to the main house. 

Expert

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20.7K Messages

13 years ago

If the client is more concerned about asthetics than they are about quality TV entertainment then perhaps they should consider a non DSB provider.  An alternative would be a post mount say 100 ft from the house and a garden decrorative structure to hide the dish from the view from the house.  The location would need to be south of the house.

Contributor

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3 Messages

13 years ago

Thanks, y'all. Sounds like we need to work on convincing the client of a new (and closer!) location: something within the 150' range (for HD). I, too, had thought about a post mount dish, but I'm feeling like that will be shot down almost immediately.

 

Unfortunately, given the remote location of the property, I'm not sure that non-DSB service is available. But this, too, I will investiagate. Thanks again for all the input. Y'all rock. 

ACE - Expert

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14.1K Messages

13 years ago

Up to around 125-150 ft is OK for solid copper core RG6, maybe further. Anything longer than that, up to maybe 250-300ft with RG11.  But with these distances it's always YMMV. 500ft, forget it.

There are two issues, signal strength for sure, but even more problematic is getting power to the LNB at the dish.


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