SBCA Installation Practices & Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which tool is used to verify that a satellite dish is correctly aimed in azimuth and elevation during installation?
- Digital multimeter
- Spectrum analyzer with satellite signal meter (Correct answer)
- Cable certification tester
- TDR (time-domain reflectometer)
Correct answer: Spectrum analyzer with satellite signal meter
A spectrum analyzer or satellite signal meter displays signal strength and quality in real time, allowing precise azimuth and elevation adjustment.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a diplexer used in satellite dish installations?
- Amplify satellite IF signals
- Combine or separate satellite and off-air antenna signals on a single coax (Correct answer)
- Match impedance between dish and receiver
- Split one satellite signal to multiple receivers
Correct answer: Combine or separate satellite and off-air antenna signals on a single coax
A diplexer allows satellite IF signals and off-air (UHF/VHF) signals to share a single coaxial cable run without interference.
Question 3: When installing a satellite dish on a non-penetrating roof mount (NPRM), what is the primary structural concern?
- Wind load calculations and ballast weight requirements (Correct answer)
- Magnetic declination correction
- Cable impedance matching
- RF shielding from HVAC units
Correct answer: Wind load calculations and ballast weight requirements
NPRMs rely entirely on ballast weight to resist wind uplift, so correct calculation of wind load and required ballast is critical for safety.
Question 4: What is the standard intermediate frequency (IF) range output from an LNB to the satellite receiver?
- 950–2150 MHz (Correct answer)
- 3.7–4.2 GHz
- 10.7–12.75 GHz
- 54–860 MHz
Correct answer: 950–2150 MHz
LNBs downconvert satellite signals to the 950–2150 MHz IF range, which can be transmitted over standard RG-6 coaxial cable to the receiver.
Question 5: During a satellite dish installation, a technician measures the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). What does a low SNR indicate?
- The dish is perfectly aimed
- There is excessive noise relative to the desired signal (Correct answer)
- The LNB is outputting too much power
- The receiver is overloaded
Correct answer: There is excessive noise relative to the desired signal
A low SNR means the noise floor is high relative to the satellite signal, typically caused by misalignment, obstructions, or faulty equipment.
Question 6: Which OSHA regulation most directly governs ladder safety requirements for satellite installation technicians working on residential rooftops?
- 29 CFR 1926.1053 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.303
- FCC Part 25
- NEC Article 810
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1926.1053
29 CFR 1926.1053 covers ladder safety requirements for the construction industry, including proper angle, securing, and load ratings applicable to rooftop work.
Question 7: What is the correct procedure when a satellite technician discovers an existing grounding electrode conductor that appears undersized?
- Leave it if it passes continuity test
- Upsize it to meet current NEC 810 requirements before connecting (Correct answer)
- Splice additional conductor in parallel
- Document only and inform the customer
Correct answer: Upsize it to meet current NEC 810 requirements before connecting
Before bonding new equipment, any undersized grounding conductor should be replaced to meet NEC 810 minimums to ensure adequate protection.
SBCA Installation Practices & Standards 3
Which tool is used to verify that a satellite dish is correctly aimed in azimuth and elevation during installation?