Looking to learn more about satellite TV?

I’m proud of this blog and the thousands and thousands of tutorials you’ll find here. I’ll admit, though, that it will only take you so far. If you’re interested in truly taking things to the next level, you’ll want the kind of professional training that you can only get a few places. If you actually work for DIRECTV, DISH, or an installation company, they have internal trainings. For everyone else, there’s an industry association that’s taking the lead.

Enter the SBCA

Solid Signal is a member of the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA.) At its heart, it’s the industry’s voice in Washington, making sure we’re heard fairly among strong voices from other industries. But before you dismiss it as “just another PAC” there’s more to it than that. The SBCA operates some of the most comprehensive training and certification programs in any industry. You can start with the basics and go all the way to full commercial certification. I’ve personally gone through the certification process and hold about half a dozen diplomas from them.

Taking an SBCA course is easy. They’re online-only, of course. You’ll learn industry standard practices right along with the theories that go with them. There’s a lot of information out there about how signals and current travel through wires, but without a guided course you’re likely to get very confused. And, without the ability to tie that information to real-world causes and effects, you’ll end up thinking it’s just not relevant. SBCA courses will help you see how the basics actually will help you out in the field.

After taking the courses, a lot of the resources remain available to you. There are things like loss calculators and diagram makers that I use a lot. So do other commercial installers. I’m not going to go so far as to say that it makes the process “brainless” but it does make it a lot easier.

Here’s the most important thing I learned

I may seem a little prejudiced, but it wasn’t until I started doing the SBCA certification courses myself that I realized just why DIRECTV and DISH have certain rules. As a DIYer and amateur installer, I was used to cutting corners and never really saw a lot of problems with that, but when you do an install for someone else you have to make it bulletproof. You can’t have the slightest problem or you’ll be called to fix it, usually when you least expect it. Following the rules set forth by DIRECTV and DISH for their installers can help you get the best possible result.

I’m asked often how to become a certified installer. The easiest answer? and the answer is to become an SBCA member or work for a company that is one. It isn’t cheap, but the SBCA does good work and that costs money. They regularly review and improve the courses they provide. That way you’ll always have the latest information.

If you’re looking for an installer to do the work, make sure he or she is part of an SBCA member company. Solid Signal has been a member for years and we’re very proud of that fact. Our installers have access to all the latest thinking in installation techniques and that’s why we are able to stand behind our work.

Join the installer network at Solid Signal

Solid Signal has a nationwide network of installation professionals for all sorts of work. We don’t require SBCA certification, but we will give preference to those folks who have done the courses. All you need to do is call us at 888-233-7563. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below and be sure to put “want to join your installer network” in the comment field.

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.