How to Install Dish Network Satellite TV Indoors

Co-authored by Daniel Stoescu

Last Updated: June 1, 2023

If you aren't permitted to place your Dish Network satellite dish on a wall outside your apartment, condominium, or home, you can place it inside instead. The guide below details how to set the dish, connect it to your receiver, and configure your receiver on your TV.

1

Order your package.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1425882-v4-728px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Before you jump in, learn a bit more about their pricing policy, plans, packages, contracts by reading latest information about their services.

Advertisement

2

Purchase a satellite stand to hold your dish.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid1425882-v4-728px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3

Face the dish out a window in your home.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2f\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1425882-v4-728px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

A south-facing window is the most ideal direction for Dish Network dishes. Make sure the dish is within 100 feet (30.48 m) of your TV.

Advertisement

4

Run a cable from your dish to your TV receiver.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ac\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ac\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid1425882-v4-728px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
You may have to drill holes in your walls and caulk them accordingly. Make sure there is no important piping, wiring, or other obstructions when making holes in the wall.
- You should ground the dish by wrapping some satellite wire on a screw on the dish stand. The other end of the wire should be run outside the residence and wrapped around some kind of metal object on the building. This will help prevent damage in the case of lightning storms.

5

Connect your receiver to the nearest phone jack.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid1425882-v4-728px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Advertisement

6

Get signal strength coordinates.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid1425882-v4-728px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This includes azimuth (direction), skew (rotation) and elevation (angle), for your location.

7

Position your dish for best possible reception.

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-7.jpg\/aid1425882-v4-728px-Install-Dish-Network-Satellite-TV-Indoors-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You will need a compass to position your dish correctly and a friend to monitor your signal strength menu to achieve the best possible position.

Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How can I wire a satellite dish?

Daniel Stoescu
Master Electrician
Daniel Stoescu is a Master Electrician and the Owner and Operator of Home Tech Solutions, LLC in Hampton, Virginia. With over a decade of experience, Daniel specializes in wiring residential, commercial, and light industrial structures. The Home Tech Solutions team has over four decades of combined experience and offers comprehensive solutions for residential electrical needs.

Daniel Stoescu

Master Electrician

Expert Answer

Install a grounding electrode conductor of minimum 10 AWG (copper) and 8 AWG (aluminum) that's connected to the building's existing system. Then, properly ground the mast and the satellite dish according to the NEC and Local Authority Codes and Requirements.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Can I set up the dish on a balcony?

Community Answer

Yes, you should be able to as long as it is a secure place.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
Question

Can I mount my satellite dish in my attic?

Community Answer

No. The dish must have a clear line of sight to the satellite. Even dense cloud or heavy rain will reduce the signal to some degree and the branches of a tree can kill it altogether. It would not work through a skylight either.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

If the window is double glazed and the signal won't get through, you will either have to replace windows with plexi glass or just have a single glaze

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
A satellite installation kit is useful when setting up your dish. Kits typically include mounting brackets, TV cables, and a compass.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 4

Warnings

Positioning your dish behind obstructions and not taking the time to coordinate it correctly will result in a much weaker signal. If all your windows are surrounded by obstructions it may be best to seek an alternative TV source, such as cable.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

Satellite dish
Satellite dish stand
TV cables
Satellite wire

Log in

How to Install Dish Network Satellite TV Indoors

Steps

Order your package.

Purchase a satellite stand to hold your dish.

Face the dish out a window in your home.

Run a cable from your dish to your TV receiver.

Connect your receiver to the nearest phone jack.

Get signal strength coordinates.

Position your dish for best possible reception.

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

About this article

Reader Success Stories

Is this article up to date?

You Might Also Like

Explore Categories