HomeSat Installation Help

HomeSat is video-based classroom instruction, provided by Bob Jones University Press, a leading homeschooling publishing. HomeSat provides live and taped classroom instruction of subjects from kindergarten through grade twelve, taught using the BJUP curriculum. Information about the HomeSat service is available at their official website at Homesat.com This site was written by a HomeSat subscriber to help homeschooling families install the HomeSat equipment necessary to receive the Bob Jones University HomeSat satellite service.

HomeSat is broadcast on Galaxy 26 Ku-band, located at 93° West, over the equator. This satellite has many channels (transponders), carrying programs for many purposes. HomeSat provides subscribers with equipment programmed to decode the digital signal from KU Transponder 17, for HomeSat purposes. The satellite is in geosynchronous orbit about 22,500 miles in space. The HomeSat transponder broadcasts a 100 watt signal, requiring at least the size dish provided by HomeSat to properly receive the signal. HomeSat uses the MPEG-2 digital transmission standard, and provides subscribers with smartcard-enabled Sat-n-Sound brand receivers, pre-programmed to receive the broadcasts. Scrambling parameters are now controlled by the Irdeto Access Conditional Access system using the standardized DVB simulcrypt interface. The diagram below shows the approximate location of Homesat's satellite above the equator.

In September 2007, Homesat subscribers were required to realign their dish antennas to Galaxy 26. They were formerly pointed at Galaxy 25 at 97°.

Galaxy 26, Courtesy N2YO

Installing HomeSat Equipment Yourself

Homesat provides an economically-priced receiver and dish antenna kit to receive the satellite broadcast service. However, it is up to individual subscriber to either install the equipment themselves, or seek the assistance of a professional satellite equipment installer.

Adjusting KU satellite receiving equipment like HomeSat's is more difficult than DBS equipment like DISH and DirecTV. The HomeSat satellite (Galaxy 26) is one of several lower power satellites this equipment could receive a signal reading from... BUT only one is the correct satellite, and only that one satellite will result in the receiver's indication of signal quality.

There are several traps with this equipment. Your mounting pole should be vertically plumb, very stable, and unable to spin. Your receiver MUST be in setup mode, and showing marginal signal strength from the LNB. If you have NO signal strength, then either your receiver isn't in setup mode, your LNB isn't connected to the receiver, or your LNB isn't working properly.

Aligning a dish antenna for DirecTV or DISH is similiar in ease to aligning a telescope with the moon, while aligning the supplied dish antenna for HomeSat is as difficult as aligning a telescope with a star. It is a much finer adjustment. (Fortunately, unlike stars, the satellites don't move once you lock on to them.)

HomeSat uses Galaxy 26, at 93° West, Transponder 17, KU Digital. The HomeSat receiver will display signal strength levels on several satellites, but will only indicate signal quality and LOCK on Galaxy 26, T17 (KU). Once signal lock is acquired, download the channel data to your receiver ("add channels"). If your receiver does not contain the latest software version (see Homesat website), download the necessary software update, with your authorized smartcard already inserted! HomeSat's installation manual contains AZ/EL/Polarity Skew numbers for various cities of the U.S.

Locating an Installer for HomeSat Equipment

All "satellite installers" are not equal. In searching for an installer for HomeSat equipment, one should identify those with experience setting up KU-Digital satellite dish antennas and receivers... NOT just DirecTV & DISH equipment. Start by asking HomeSat customer service if they can recommend installers in your area.

It may be helpful to locate businesses in your area which have satellite dish antennas on their roof or grounds. This includes local broadcasters, cable companies, grocery stores, video rental stores, gas stations, and other businesses which depend on satellite transmissions. Hopefully, such businesses will be able to tell you who installed their own KU satellite equipment.

Obtaining HomeSat Videos

HomeSat has authorized the Digital Learning Network to record HomeSat programming, making copies of the broadcasts available to homeschooling families. They provide recordings and matching handout materials for individual classes to homeschooling families who feel that getting a year's worth of classes at one time, already recorded, is more convenient. Those who wish to avoid the time and hassle of setting up and operating the equipment necessary to record HomeSat broadcasts should contact the Digital Learning Network at 1-864-242-5100 ext. 3120.

HomeSat's studios and uplink center are located on the campus of Bob Jones University, in Greenville, SC. The largest dish shown in this photo is used to uplink the HomeSat broadcast signal to Galaxy 26 - 22,000 miles in space.

On each weekday during the school year, several studios like this one are used for live LINC classes. Students at LINC schools around the country view the classes, responding to questions electronically. Homesat students are also able to view the classes live, or tape the broadcasts for later viewing. Following each class, technicians reset the studio for the next scheduled class.

When HomeSat teachers use this studio, this is their view from behind the set, looking out at the lights and camera. The set is lit with low-temperature Videssence florescent lighting. On the back wall, the teachers can view clocks set to each US time zone.

Once taped classes are edited and ready to air, they are broadcast from this room. Technicians are tasked with rolling, logging and monitoring all scheduled feeds, and correcting any errors. An audible alarm sounds if there is silence on the air, possibly indicating a feed problem. Technicians are able to view all four HomeSat channels returning from Galaxy 26.

HomeSat teachers have a variety of equipment at their fingertips during the broadcasts or tapings including an air monitor, various source monitors, a graphics stand, Powerpoint, and a computer showing logged-in students and their accompanying statistics.

To receive the HomeSat service, customers must subscribe to the service and obtain pre-programmed satellite receiving equipment, either new from HomeSat or used from former subscribers. HomeSat will only authorize used equipment after past accounts are paid in full. Used equipment is also usually out of warranty.

HomeSat frequently offers an equipment package at a special, discounted price for new customers who make a subscription commitment. To order HomeSat equipment new, use this HomeSat Order Form. Those who order the standard equipment package receive the following items:

  HomeSat Receiver : The main item is a KU Digital receiver/decoder. This comes programmed and authorized to receive HomeSat programming. Make a note of the receiver's serial number for easy reference before installing. (When contacting HomeSat customer service, they may ask you for the last six digits.) This ADTH-built receiver became available in 2001, and was first identified as the SatnSound 8009 IR model receiver. HomeSat's current receivers in circulation are labelled BJ HomeSat 8009IR, SatnSound 8009IR, HomeSat H2100IR, & ADTH H2100IR.

  Smart Card : The receiver comes with an authorized smartcard, usually inserted. Make a note of the smartcard's serial number. HomeSat uses the last six digits.

  Dish Antenna Assembly Kit : This is an 87cm offset-fed KU dish antenna, manufactured by ADTH.

  Tri-mast mounting assembly: HomeSat supplies this as the standard method of mounting your dish antenna. It is suitable for mounting the dish antenna to a roof, or a vertical surface such as the side of your home, another building, a deck or fence. Threaded galvanized screws are included for attaching the assembly. Epoxy is also included for watertight roof installations. The tri-mast roofmount allows many configurations. In some locations, it may be helpful for the dish to extend off the edge of a roof.

  Low-Noise Blockamp : This LNB mounts onto an arm, positioning it in front of the dish antenna in order to collect the incoming satellite signal, converting the frequencies and sending them to the receiver.

  100' RG-6 Coax : This coax is supplied for the outdoor run to the dish antenna.

  50' RG-6 Coax : This coax is supplied for the indoor run to your receiver.

  Static Grounding Block : It is necessary to ground your coax by connecting them to the static grounding block, usually placed just outside your home. It is the bridge between your indoor and outdoor coax.

  Aluminum Ground Wire : This ground wire should be used to connect the static grounding block to a source of ground.

  Compass : An inexpensive compass is supplied to establish the direction you'll point your dish antenna.

  Installation Manual and Videotape : HomeSat includes their Installation Manual and a video to aid your installation.

HomeSat's own 87cm ADTH dish is mounted right on the building, next to their DBS antennas. Their signal quality from this dish is over 100.

This HomeSat subscriber has installed their ADTH dish antenna on their 6th floor apartment balcony, in downtown Washington, D.C. They received HomeSat's signal by pointing over the Potomac River, despite regular flights into Reagan National Airport.

This HomeSat user installed two dish antennas on his chimney with heavy duty chimney mounting brackets. The top dish is a 30" model, used for his DISH network system, designed to improve the signal, since he lives on the west coast and the desired satellite is only 10.5 degrees above the horizon. The bottom dish is his ADTH model for HomeSat. Notice that since he lives on the west coast, he turns his LNB far to the right.