Спутниковый приёмник установили не позднее чем вчера.

yesterday

Breakdown of Спутниковый приёмник установили не позднее чем вчера.

• установить: to install
• не позднее чем: no later than; at the latest
• спутниковый приёмник: the satellite receiver

Questions & Answers about Спутниковый приёмник установили не позднее чем вчера.

Why is установили in the plural past tense if there is only one receiver?

Because установили does not agree with приёмник here.
Приёмник is the object of the sentence, not the subject.

Russian often uses 3rd person plural past with an unspecified human subject, like:

• установили = they installed
• but in English this is often translated more naturally as was installed

So the sentence literally feels like:

• They installed the satellite receiver no later than yesterday

but in natural English it may be:

• The satellite receiver was installed no later than yesterday

This is a very common Russian way to avoid naming who did the action.

Why isn’t it Спутниковый приёмник был установлен... instead?

It could be. Both are possible, but they are slightly different in style.

• Спутниковый приёмник установили... = indefinite-personal construction, more conversational and neutral
• Спутниковый приёмник был установлен... = passive construction, often a bit more formal or impersonal

Russian often prefers the active-looking indefinite-personal form where English might prefer a passive.

So this sentence is very normal and natural.

Why is приёмник in the form приёмник? Shouldn’t the direct object change?