Hughes AN6-098P, Installation Manual

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Chapter 7 • Pointing the antenna
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1037312-0001 Revision B
Antenna pointing
overview
This chapter describes a general procedure for pointing the
antenna. The objectives of antenna pointing are to:
•
Locate and detect the satellite signal
•
Peak the signal to achieve the greatest possible signal
strength
Correct antenna alignment is critical to the operation of the
system. When the antenna is pointed directly at the satellite, it
receives a strong signal. If it is not pointed properly, the signal
may be weak, causing errors to occur during data transfers.
Antenna pointing is accomplished by first receive pointing the
antenna and then isolating the transmit signal. Receive pointing
adjusts the antenna to obtain the best receive signal. Isolating the
transmit signal fine-tunes the antenna alignment for the strongest
possible signal received by the HN System NOC. Both of these
processes are explained later in this chapter.
The pointing process requires that you make a number of small
position adjustments to the antenna until you are satisfied that
you have obtained the strongest possible signal. When you have
achieved the strongest possible signal, you have peaked the
signal.
Using the installation
software
The exact pointing procedure depends on the installation software
used, whether SBC or WebSetup. (For a description of SBC and
WebSetup, see Determining the pointing values on page 21.)
The installation software guides you through a step-by-step
process for installing the IDU and pointing the antenna. It
calculates your exact location and the values you use to set tilt,
elevation, and azimuth. (Note that the installation software may
refer to tilt as polarization.)
Use the information in this chapter as a guide for the overall
pointing process and for instructions on how to make mechanical
adjustments to the antenna. For specific steps, follow the
instructions in the IDU installation guide and on the installation
software screens.
In general, you will alternate between two activities. These are:
•
Following the software prompts and instructions
•
Adjusting the antenna (azimuth, elevation, and tilt) to acquire
and then peak the satellite signal. The required adjustments
are different for each installation location.