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POINTING THE SATELLITE DISH
TOOLS NEEDED
• Compass
• 1/2-inch open-end or socket wrench
• 7/16 open-end wrench
• Torque wrench (can accept 1/2-inch socket and exert 12 ft-lbs. of
torque)
• Wrench
• Permanent marker
• Pencil
This section describes how to point the satellite dish at the sat-
ellite. Correct alignment is critical to the operation of the sys-
tem. When the satellite dish is pointed directly at the satellite, it
receives a strong signal. If it is not positioned properly, the sig-
nal may be weak, and errors may result during data transfers.
The values calculated by the satellite dish pointing software are
accurate enough to allow you to acquire the satellite signal on
the first try if the satellite dish mast is plumb.
Polarization
scale
Elevation
scale
Satellite
dish
THE ITERATIVE PROCESS OF POINTING THE DISH
You will be making three adjustments on your satellite dish:
polarization (rotation of the satellite dish), azimuth (pointing
side to side), and elevation (pointing up or down). These terms
are defined on page 6.
Pointing the satellite dish is an iterative process. That is, you go
through cycles of making small adjustments to the satellite dish
until you are satisfied you cannot get a stronger satellite signal.
When you have achieved the strongest possible signal, you
have peaked the signal.
Begin by peaking the azimuth setting; then peak the elevation
setting; and then readjust the azimuth setting if necessary. After
you have optimized the azimuth and elevation settings, you
may find that making adjustments in the polarization setting
affects the optimum azimuth and elevation settings, and you
must go back and adjust them again.
You may achieve the strongest signal strength after just a few
adjustments, or you may find that several adjustments are
needed. Remember that by getting the strongest possible signal
you ensure that you can use all your system's capacity.
Mast
Figure 50
Elevation bolt
Azimuth Reference Marks
(made by user)
39
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