|Now that you have your azimuth and elevation
coordinates, what do you do with them?
First, survey the site to ensure an unobstructed
view in the direction of the satellite. To receive broadcast signals, your satellite dish
needs to be positioned correctly. Mount your satellite dish so that the base fits flush
with the mounting surface (level if mounted on a flat beam or roof, or on an angle to
match the pitch of your roofline). When you have securely mounted your satellite dish,
adjust your dish so that the dish mast is plumb, that is, exactly perpendicular to level -
this is best achieved using a carpenter's level. With your dish now mounted and properly
set, you are now ready to aim your dish toward the satellites.
To set the dish to point up to the satellites, youll
first need to set the elevation. Then youll point the dish in the proper
left-to-right position, to set the azimuth. Youll need to refer to the installation
manual for your system for detailed instructions, but heres the short course.
Setting the Elevation (UP), (DOWN)
You can set the proper elevation after the dish is securely mounted. First, loosen the
nuts securing the two elevation bolts so that the dish easily moves up and down. Line up
the elevation indicator with the tick mark corresponding to your elevation number. Then
tighten the bolts. You may need to readjust the elevation up or down slightly to get the
best signal. See figure on top.
Setting the Azimuth (LEFT), (RIGHT)
Loosen the azimuth nuts on the LNB arm enough that the dish can be turned smoothly
with little pressure. Set the azimuth by moving the dish left and right. Point the dish in
the general direction of the satellite, in the southern hemisphere. By using a compass you
can better pinpoint the direction with your azimuth number to correspond with the degrees
on your compass. See figure on top.
Acquiring the Signal
Now your dish will be in position to lock in on the satellite signal. Youll need
to 1) have your digital receiver connected to your television, with both turned on, and 2)
have your antenna LNB to receiver cables connected, and 3) be viewing your Setup
Antenna/Signal Strength display from your digital receiver's on-screen menu to measure the
signal strength accurately. To view the signal strength and quality (Satcruiser
receivers Telstar 5 for example) press Menu, Installation, TP Configuration, select
Telstar 5 and frequency 12152 or frequency 11898.
Ask a helper to watch the Signal Strength
screen for indications you are receiving the signal, the upper meter is the signal
strength, the lower meter is the signal quality. Please note that you will receive the
signal ONLY when there is a signal on the lower meter (signal quality). Stand behind the
dish, and holding its outer edges, slowly turn it a little to the right to adjust
the azimuth. Pause a few seconds, giving the receiver enough time to lock in on the
satellite signal. Continue turning the dish in this way until you have acquired the signal
or until you have rotated the dish approximately 15 degrees from the starting point.
If you havent detected a signal yet,
return to the starting point and move the dish to the left again. If you dont
acquire the signal after rotating the dish approximately 15 degrees to either side of the
calculated azimuth angle, loosen the elevation bolts and tilt the dish upward so the
elevation indicator moves halfway from the current tick mark to the next mark. Then
tighten the elevation bolts.
If necessary, continue changing the elevation
in half-tick-mark increments until you receive the signal. After tilting the dish upwards
three tick marks beyond the original tick mark, return it to the original tick mark and
then tilt it down a half tick mark. Keep repeating this until you receive the signal.
If the Signal still eludes
Check to make sure that the mount is 100%
level. The portion that the dish mounts on must be straight up to the sky level. Otherwise
you will not be able to find the signal
That nothing--a tree, for
example--obstructs the signal that the cables are connected properly to the receiver.
That you have the correct azimuth and
Now that you have received the satellite signal, it is important to fine tune the dish
pointing to make sure you have the maximum possible signal strength. Maximizing the signal
is important, in that, it reduces "rain fade" during inclement weather. Loosen
the elevation bolts, then gently continue turning the dish a little in the same direction
you were turning it when you began to receive the satellite signal. Pause for a few
seconds each time after moving the dish. Turn the dish in this way until the signal
quality strength reaches its highest reading and then begins to fall. Then slowly turn the
dish the opposite way until you again receive the highest reading on the Signal Strength
screen. Important: The Signal Strength reading does not need to be "100."
Lock in on the highest possible signal. Tighten the azimuth bolts.
Loosen the elevation bolts. Slowly tilt the
dish up and down to improve the Signal Strength reading. When you are satisfied that you
have the strongest signal, tighten the elevation bolts.