A satellite dish can prove to be an excellent alternative to cable television. They are small, inexpensive, provide digital visual and audio and are unmatched in their choices of programming. Best of all, installing the system yourself will save you about $200 and it should not take you more than a few hours. There are only three parts to the system; the dish, a long coax cable, and the receiver that plugs into your television.

1. Currently, the most popular provider on the market is DirecTV. Their satellite hovers in orbit 22,300 miles over the equator. If you are in the United States, make sure you have an unobstructed view (especially no trees) towards Texas, at an angle of elevation of 25-50 degrees. This is the direction you must point your satellite dish. A compass is provided with your installation kit.

2. One of the worst places to mount the dish is on the roof of your home. This can create leaks and make it very difficult to clear the dish of snow or debris. Try to choose a location where you will have easy access to the dish, such as on the side of your house (no aluminum siding) or on a tall post. However, most times there are no other choices but to mount it on the roof.

3. The final consideration in deciding where to mount the dish, is determining how you will route the cable to your television. Try to have the shortest distance between the dish and your TV.

4. Now that the planning is finished, you are ready to install the dish. Using a power drill, drill holes into a secure stud or beam on your house. Fill the holes with a generous amount of silicon (usually provided with the installation kit) to protect against leaks.

5. Using the screws provided, secure the dish mount into the silicon filled holes. Adjust the dish pointing direction as instructed in the installation manual.

6. Temporarily run the cable to a television set to properly finish the directional adjustments. This is accomplished by a signal strength meter displayed on your television.

7. Run the coax cable provided with the installation kit from the satellite dish to your television satellite receiver. Use a cable snake to route through walls and ceilings.

8. Use available space in the attic or basement for easy cable routing.

9. Here is an example of an easy route for the cable. First into the house from the dish into the attic. Second, run the cable through the attic to above the wall adjacent to your television. Finally, drill through the attic floor, in-between the wall. Drill another hole in the wall behind your television. Snake the cable from the attic to the hole behind the TV.

10. Attach the cable to the satellite receiver, grab the remote, and enjoy.