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POINTING THE SATELLITE DISH
THE ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE
Aligning the satellite dish is usually a two-person task. If, how-
ever, the satellite dish is close enough to the computer for the
person aiming the satellite dish to hear the computer speaker
(or if you can connect a speaker to the computer and place the
speaker next to the satellite dish), one person can do the align-
ment using the tones generated by the computer as a reference.
Otherwise, one person watches the signal strength display on
the computer and relays the readings to the person aiming the
satellite dish. A portable telephone or walkie-talkie is helpful
for this.
6. Start the software that came with your satellite modems.
Select Start→ → → → Programs→ → → → DIRECWAY→ → → → Antenna
Pointing to go to the Antenna Pointing-Receiver screen.
7. The screen will display your azimuth, elevation, and polar-
ization pointing values. The signal strength program starts
and the computer beeps steadily.
8. Stand behind the satellite dish, grasp the outer edges of
the satellite dish and, while looking at the Azimuth Align-
ment Mark, adjust the azimuth 1/8-inch towards the center
pencil mark, Mark 1. Let go of the satellite dish and count
slowly to 5 while listening for a change in tone from the
computer. You must allow the receive modem enough time
to track and register the signal strength.
Note: You are aiming at a satellite 22,300 miles away. The key to suc-
cess is to make small adjustments (never more than 1/8-inch of azi-
muth as measured on the mast) and to wait 5 seconds between
adjustments to give the receive modem the time it needs to lock on to
the satellite signal.
9. If you are receiving a signal and the tone has changed, go to
step 11. If no signal is present and the azimuth alignment
mark has not yet moved to Mark 3 on the mast, return to
step 8 and adjust it again. You will keep moving the satellite
dish a little at a time until you get a signal.
10. If there is no signal after the satellite dish has been moved 1-
1/2 inches from Mark 2 to the Mark 3, there may be an
error. Perform the following quick checks.
42
• Verify coaxial cable connections at the LNB, the receive modem,
and all the connections in between.
• Verify that there are no obstructions blocking the signal (for exam-
ple, trees).
• Verify that you copied and properly set the azimuth, elevation, and
polarization values correctly.
• Verify the azimuth by moving 15 feet in front or behind the satellite
dish and take another compass reading. Metal near the compass,
such as a car or even a belt buckle, can give a false reading.
• Point the front of the satellite dish to the left of the estimated bear-
ing to the satellite so the alignment mark on the AZ/EL cap mount
lines up with the rightmost pencil mark you made on the mast.
• Return to step 8 and try again.
After successfully establishing contact with the satellite, pro-
ceed to the next section.
Figure 53
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