After you've ordered your new satellite TV system your next step is to install it. Here you have the option of installing your satellite TV system yourself, or letting a professional do it for you. Here's what's involved ...

Do-It-Yourself Satellite TV Installation

Here's a step-by-step guide to satellite TV installation:

1.First, you need to mount your satellite dish on your roof or on a south-facing wall. Pick a location where there are no trees or tall buildings nearby.

2.If you live in a condo or an apartment complex where you aren't allowed to mount your dish outside, you can mount it inside or on your balcony using a portable stand which can be ordered from your satellite TV dealer.

3.After installing your dish, you need to connect your cable to your dish then feed the cable through your house walls to the rooms where you have your TVs.

4.Next, connect your TVs to your satellite TV receivers, connect the cables from your dish to your receivers, then connect your receivers to the nearest telephone jacks with telephone wire.

5.Now turn on your TV and your receiver and have someone monitor the satellite TV provider's signal strength menu on your TV while you use a compass to aim your dish by setting the correct azimuth (direction). Then move your dish up, down, and sideways to obtain the correct elevation (angle), and skew (dish rotation).

6.Finally, you'll need to contact your satellite TV provider to activate your system.

Note: If you're going to do your own satellite TV installation, I recommend purchasing a satellite TV installation kit from your dealer that comes with an installation guide and all the necessary hardware.

Professional Satellite TV Installation

Installation fees vary from dealer to dealer and can cost $100 to $200 dollars or more, depending on how many receivers you want installed and how complicated it will be to run the cable through your house walls.

The good news is the two major satellite TV providers -- DISH Network and DIRECTV -- are currently promoting their services by offering a free satellite TV system that includes free installation. The only catch is you must sign up for their service, but with prices starting at $19.99 a month for service, that's a bargain.

After you order your satellite TV service, your dealer will call you to schedule an installation time that's convenient for you. This will be anywhere from one to five days after you place your order.

After your installer installs your system, he or she will show you how to operate it and will answer any questions you may have.

Bottom Line

Unless you're handy with tools and enjoy tinkering with electronics, I recommend having a professional do your satellite TV installation for you. With the free satellite TV system and free installation package from DISH Network and DIRECTV, it's a deal that's hard to beat.

Why do it yourself when you can do it for free?