37
POINTING THE ANTENNA (CONTINUED)
THE ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE
Aligning the antenna can be a one- or a two-person task,
depending on how far the computer is from the antenna. If the
antenna is close enough for the person aiming the antenna to
hear the computer speaker (or if you can connect a speaker to
the PC and place the speaker next to the antenna), you can use
the tones generated by the PC as a reference. Otherwise, it is
best that a second person watch the computer monitor as it dis-
plays the signal strength. If two people are performing the pro-
cedure, one person can view the computer monitor and tell the
person aiming the antenna the signal strength reading.
7. Start the software that came with your satellite modem
receiver. Locate the Antenna Pointing screen.
8. The screen will display your azimuth, elevation, and polar-
ization parameters. The signal strength program starts and
the computer beeps steadily.
9. Stand behind the satellite antenna dish, grasp the outer
edges of the satellite antenna dish and, while looking at the
Alignment Mark, adjust the azimuth 1/8-inch towards the
center pencil mark that you made on the mast in Step 5.
(The front of the antenna moves to the right and the Align-
ment Mark moves to the left). Let go of the antenna and
count slowly to 10 while listening for a change in tone from
the PC. You must provide the satellite modem receiver
enough time to track and register the signal strength.
Note: You are aiming at a satellite approximately 22,300 miles away.
The key to success is to make small adjustments (never more than 1/8-
inch of azimuth as measured on the mast) and to wait 10 seconds
between adjustments to give the satellite modem receiver the time it
needs to lock on to the satellite signal.
10. If you are receiving a signal and the tone has changed, go to
step 12. If no signal is present and the alignment mark has
not yet moved to the leftmost pencil mark on the mast,
return to Step 9.
11. If there is no signal after the antenna has been moved 1-1/2
inches from the right-most pencil mark to the left-most pen-
cil mark, there may be an error. See the following note. If
you are following the “Mast not plumb” instructions on
page 25, add one degree of elevation and return to Step 8.
Note: If you are still unable to acquire the satellite signal after sweep-
ing through the full 1-1/2 inches as measured on the mast, perform the
following quick checks:
• Verify coaxial cable connections at the LNB and along the cable to
the satellite modem receiver.
• Verify that there are no obstructions blocking the signal (for exam-
ple, trees).
• Verify that you copied the azimuth, elevation, and polarization val-
ues correctly and set the elevation properly on the antenna.
• Verify the azimuth by moving 15 feet in front or behind the antenna
and take another compass reading (metal near the compass (like a
car or even a belt buckle) can give a false reading).
• Point the front of the antenna to the left of the estimated bearing 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 9.
After successfully establishing contact with the satellite, pro-
ceed to the next section.
CAUTION
• This device emits radio frequency energy when in the
transmit mode.
• To avoid injury, do not place head or other body parts
between feed horn and satellite antenna dish when
system is operational.
• Unplug indoor power connection before performing
maintenance or adding upgrades to any antenna com-
ponents.
