Coarse Alignment; Peak Indicators - iDirect evolution x1 Installation Manual

5. In Elevation Information, enter the elevation Offset of the antenna. Refer to the antenna
manufacturer's specifications to confirm the offset angle.
After the required data is entered, iSite automatically calculates azimuth, elevation, and
polarization angles and displays the data under Gross Antenna Pointing Information. When
updating input fields, be sure to click anywhere in the gray area of the screen to re-calculate
and display the output using the new data.
Note: Write the pointing values down, or leave the screen open. The data are needed
in the following sections to perform pointing of the antenna.

7.2.2 Coarse Alignment

Use the data provided in the previous section to perform a coarse alignment of the antenna
towards the satellite. The following items are required:
• Compass or GPS receiver
• Site magnetic variation data
• Inclinometer
• Indelible marker
• Hand tools as required
For the procedure that follows, it is not necessary to completely tighten the fixing hardware
of the antenna axes. Satellite acquisition and fine pointing are performed later.
To Perform Coarse Alignment:
1. Determine the site magnetic variation, available on the Web. See
page 8.
2. Refer to the Notes area of the Look Angle Calculator. Using an inclinometer or
protractor, adjust the feed horn assembly to the approximate angle indicated in the
Polarization Offset field. See
3. Using an inclinometer, set the elevation to the value provided in the Elevation Actual
field. Remember that this value is the true elevation minus the antenna offset angle.
4. Using a compass or GPS unit, set the antenna azimuth to the approximate heading
indicated in the Azimuth True field. Be sure to apply the local magnetic variation to the
compass reading. West variation must be added, and East variation must be subtracted
from the value indicated by the compass. The result is the true azimuth.
5. Mark the coarse azimuth position with a line drawn across the lower section of the
azimuth mount and the pole, using an indelible marker.
After completion of coarse alignment, execute the procedures in the sections that follow to
peak the antenna.
7.3

Peak Indicators

For the procedures that follow, two operator feedback methods are employed:
• A DC voltage on the TX Out port that varies with received signal strength (PWM)
• An iSite graphic display depicting received signal strength in a histogram
iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide
iDX Release 3.3
Figure 21.
Peak Indicators
"Magnetic Variation" on
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