Chapter 2 - Installation Tools & Equipment

This is probably one of the most important sections in this training program. Having ALL of the right tools and supplies at the installation will keep you from turning a 1 day install into a 3 day install. Please pay close attention to the tools you will want to have on site as an installer. At the bottom of this page is a checklist that you may download, print, and use prior to any installation. Many of these tools - especially the specialized tools - can be purchased from Ground Control as an optional "Installers Tool Bag". Buying the back will save from tracking down and purchasing each of the right tools.

Click Here for a list of tools that come in the Ground Control Installers Tool Bag.

Tools - Dish Assembly
	A Socket Wrench set		DiElectric grease to coat O-rings (in case you run out). Commonly found at Auto Parts stores.
	a set of open end wrenches (7/16" and 1/2")		Concrete bricks to hold down the non-pen mount. Be sure to bring more than you think you'll need - better to have too much weight than too little.
	assorted screwdrivers, both flathead and phillips.
Tools - Coaxial Cable Connections & Waterproofing
	a bag of Snap-On F-Connectors for coax cables.		a coax wire stripper
	Rubber weather-sealing tape.		Wire cutters
	Electrical tape.		Crimping tool for Snap-On connectors
	Wall-Plates for where the coax cables enter the server room.
Tools - Cable Runs
	A cordless drill with assorted drill bits. Always good to have a back-up battery that is always charged.		Twine or narrow string to help pull cables along ceilings.
	a Hole-Saw bit to drill holes for the cable run.		SpringSteel (sometimes called "Fish Tape") is used to pull cables through walls or conduit.
	Plastic tie-straps (ZipTies) are used to keep cable-bundles neat and orderly. Use plenty!		Silicone Caulking is used to reseal exterior holes after cable runs are finished. Be sure to seal every hole you make into the exterior of a building!
Tools - Grounding Equipment
	Grounding wire - Medium gauge. Ground Everything!		Grounding Wire - Water pipe clamp. Water pipes are excellent grounds, because they go into the earth's surface.
	You will need wire connectors and assorted bolts and nuts. You may even need to drill your own holes.		Coax grounding block, used for grounding the coax just inside the point of entry into the building.
Tools - Aiming & Cross Polling the Dish
	GPS handheld unit to find latitude and longitude of the installation location. Make sure that it has fresh batteries or is fully charged.		10' length of coax cable used to connect the Super Buddy or Birdog to the satellite receiver - the LNB.
	Super Buddy, used to confirm and fine-tune the satellite dish. Make sure this is fully charged before you go.		Cell phone for calling Ground Control support for Cross-Pol. Make sure it's charged!
	Inclinometer used to determine the angle of the transmitter for cross-pol.
Tools - Networking & Configuration
	A clearly-marked cross-over cable, used to connect your laptop to the Gateway IDU for both Galileo and iDirect systems.		Bulk ethernet cable - you will need to make the cable to connect the gateway IDU to either the customers computer or router once on site.
	Loose RJ-45 connectors		Ethernet Cable crimper - most models will work for both RJ-45 (ethernet) and RJ-11 (telephone).
Other Helpful Tools
	Rope - often used to lift a satellite reflector to the roof.		Extension ladder, used to reach the roof if no external access is available.
	Extension cord for running your equipment.		Pocket Knife - always useful.
	Power strip, because one outlet is never enough.		Flashlight.
	Sunscreen		Windex and paper towels for cleaning up the installation.
	Extra batteries for all of your battery powered devices.		Packing tape in case you need to ship something back to Ground Control.
Download a check off-list of all the tools mentioned here.