ANTENNA SET-UP CONTINUED.
e Satellite Site Survey:
A Site Survey is a fancy term used to make you think it’s something highly technical when in fact it’s not. All
you do is grab a magnetic compass or GPS and see where you can put a satellite receiving dish on your
property and receive signals. Not all locations are capable of receiving satellite signals because of natural or
man-made obstructions. e signal from satellites is relatively weak and directional so we must have an un-
obstructed view of the satellite in order to receive a satisfactory signal. Also keep in mind seasonal changes.
We don’t want to install our dish in a location that will be blocked when the new leaves emerge in spring. If a
particular location in your yard is not suitable then moving the location as little as a few feet can make a
tremendous difference. If you have a clear southeastern to southwestern sky then you are in luck.
First, let’s find out where your chosen satellites are in relation to your location. By far the easiest way is using
a program that automatically compensates for magnetic deviation and takes into account which satellites you
want to receive. ere are many programs available to assist you in locating satellites. Satellite programs
include SatFinder (
http://www.arachnoid.com/satfinder
) and Zip Code32 and Dish Point which can be found
in the tools and hardware section of this site. e results from Zip Code32 and Dish Point are already
adjusted for magnetic declination and skew however; both programs rely on U.S. zip codes to calculate the
parameters and are written for Dish Net Satellites only. I have selected two of the most popular North
American satellites for our exercise. ey are at longitude 110 (ECHO 6/8 or Echo 10) and 119 (ECHO 7),
both satellites require circular polarized LNBFs.
Run the satellite program of your choice. For this exercise we will use Satfinder since it is pretty much
universal and can be used anywhere. Load and run the program. Let’s say our zip code is 20301, (Pentagon,
Washington, DC). Locate the 110 satellite in the list and you see azimuth of 237(m) degrees and elevation of
33.5 degrees with a skew of 34 degrees. Now find the 119 satellite and your azimuth is 246.5(m) and
elevation of 27.7 degrees and 39.7 degrees for skew. Make a note of these for later use.
We know we will need a clear area in the southwestern sky between 237 and 247 for us to receive the two
satellites plus we will need a clear area from the horizon to 34 degrees elevation. Grab your compass and
walk outside to the area you wish to mount your dish. Locate your far eastern satellite azimuth on your
compass. Keeping in mind your elevation, make sure that there are no tall trees or other obstacles in your
path. Now align your compass with magnetic north and note where your two satellites are located. Our
example looks from 237 to 246 degrees. If there are problems with clear sky (look angle) you will have to find
another location for the dish.
Mounting the dish:
When mounting the dish on any surface, use a level to ensure the post, pole or bracketing system is vertical.
e more accurate the mounting the easier finding the satellite will be. ere are three main configurations
of dish mounting.
Mounting to the side of the house:
is is a preferred mounting method for the smaller 18 to 24 inch dishes from the major providers. It is
stable, easy to mount and is somewhat more protected from weather and storm damage. Mounting
considerations are; Solid mounting material, thin siding is not a good anchor but locating a support stud
would be OK. Good access to the house for the cable runs. Ensure the dish look angle is not blocked by the
eve of the house or adjacent structures.
Roof mounting:
e least favorable mounting arrangement is the roof mount however if you must then try not to mount to
the plywood/hardboard sheeting. Try to locate a rafter/joist and use lag screws for mounting. If you have to
Document page.15
VIEWSAT 9000HD User Troubleshooting Guide & Manual. April /2008