There are no cable wires designed specifically for one system, be it satellite TV or cable TV. What works for a cable TV system would certainly work for a satellite TV system. So if you have existing cable lines in your home or apartment leftover from its previous occupant, you can almost certainly use it when you build a new satellite TV system.

As long as the wiring system is intact, meaning there aren’t any broken sections, there aren’t any cut or expose or burnt wires, you can use it. You can check the integrity of a wiring system by using a conventional electrical tester. To do this, you have to expose the ends of the wires you need to test and connect the nodes of the electrical tester onto each end. Take note that before you do any testing, turn the Power Main off.

Similarly, you can also use an existing satellite dish if one is installed already. Satellite dishes are somewhat permanent fixtures and usually tenants who move out almost always leave satellite dishes behind, which you can use.

Before you can use an existing satellite dish, you need to align it at the correct elevation and azimuth, if it is not yet aligned or you will have signal problems. In order to do this, you need a specialized tool called a satellite signal meter. What this does is detect if your satellite TV is getting a signal. It also gauges the signal strength so you need to adjust it some until you get the strongest possible signal.

You can also do with just a compass and your TV within viewing range for visual checks. However, since adjusting a satellite dish is pretty much a trial and error process, beginner are advised to get a satellite signal meter to make the process of elimination easier. In any case, take your time fine tuning until the strongest signal is achieved.