4
ANTENNA ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE
Satellite Alignment
Alignment with the satellite is obtained by setting polarization, elevation, and azimuth. Charts are provided in this manual to determine the
values for your earth station antenna site. “∆L” is the difference between the earth station antenna site longitude and the satellite longitude.
Use “∆L” and your earth station latitude to obtain polarization, elevation or azimuth setting.
Polarization of Feed
Refer to instructions packed with feed assembly.
Elevation - Initial Setting
Use Chart 2 and determine your elevation setting. Loosen
elevation locking bolts, located in curved slots, on both sides.
Turn elevation adjustment bolt clockwise to decrease elevation
or counterclockwise to increase elevation. Position the elevation
alignment arrow with the appropriate mark on the housing at the
desired elevation reading. Scale is in 1 degree increments. This
will be an approximate setting. Snug tighten elevation locking
bolts. (Finger tighten only).
Elevation Locking
Bolts (Both Sides)
Elevation
Adjustment
Bolt
Elevation Alignment
Arrow
Azimuth - Initial Setting
Refer to the azimuth value determined on
chart 3. Values in chart must be adjusted
for magnetic deviation for your location
for correct compass reading. Rotate the
reflector and az/el mount, on the pipe,
pointing it to the compass reading for
your location and satellite. Sweep in
azimuth for signal. If desired signal is not
located, increase or decrease elevation
setting and repeat the azimuth sweep.
Tighten progressively (1/8 turn each) all
three pipe clamp nuts. Repeat until 24
N-m (18 ft-lb) torque is reached.
Square Nut (Factory Preset)
Square Nut
(Factory Preset)
Azimuth
Locking
Hex Nut
Az/El Cap Mount
Bottom View
Rotate Antenna
On Ground Tube
Azimuth
Example Depicts Azimuth Heading To 171˚
(Azimuth ± Magnetic Deviation)
Compass
Azimuth
Locking
Hex Nut
Elevation and Azimuth Fine Tuning
Loosen (3) azimuth locking nuts. Note that the square
nuts are factory preset, and should not be loosened or
tightened. Turn the azimuth fine tune bolt clockwise or
counterclockwise for azimuth fine tuning.
Use a signal strength measuring device to obtain
the most accurate alignment and maximum antenna
performance. Alternate between elevation and azimuth
fine tuning to reach maximum signal strength, until
no improvement can be detected. Tighten and torque
all hardware, alternating sequence, until all bolts are
equally torqued to 24 N-m (18 ft-lb).
Elevation
Fine Tuning
Azimuth
Fine Tuning
Azimuth
Locking
Hex Nut