Satellite Antenna Positioning

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Satellite antenna positioning is a very hard task since it must be accurately done to be able to use it properly and get the programs you want. Failing at doing so can render it useless. So here are some tips in properly positioning your own satellite antenna. 

Basically, satellite antennas make use of the telemetry systems of geostationary satellites, which is very challenging because you need to calculate the required right angles to be able to accurately point the antennas to an orbiting satellite. Before doing this, you must first understand how the satellite is linked to the ground stations. Geostationary satellites are the kind you find orbiting in space that actually match the Earth’s rotation.

These satellites are approximately between 22,000 to 25,000 miles high and their location can be in any spot right above the equator. The ground station antenna needs to be directly pointed to the orbital site of any of these satellites by calculating the elevation and azimuth. Calculation involves mathematics that are quite complex; but not to worry because there are automated calculators that are available on the Internet. 

Here are the fundamental steps for calculating the angles that point to a satellite: 

1.      Identify the orbital site of the satellite using their longitude position as reference. 

2.      Determine the location of the ground station on the surface of the earth; you need the Latitude and Longitude reading of the satellite antenna to be able to come up with accurate calculations.  

3.      Conduct a survey of the site; remember that you should know the antenna’s elevation and azimuth to find a perfect spot where you can “see” the satellite you want.  

After these steps you can proceed to the installation of the satellite antenna, pointing it to the satellite you have picked. With the use of the values you have calculated, to adjust and match the antenna mount. You can experiment on several positions that can ultimately get you the finest signal. 

The most common mistake committed when installing a satellite antenna is on how to determine the azimuth. Make use of the accessible look-angle calculators for satellites, which often provide azimuth reading in degrees; this can be a big help for avoiding such mistakes. 

Once you’re done with the proper satellite antenna installation, you can then begin to enjoy watching your favorite cable programs or movies in the comfort of your own home.