FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
and Satellite Finder Antenna Setting Information

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Find the Azimuth with the 3-D Site & Satellite Finder.
 Adjust the SILVA 80 to align horizontally with the INOGON. Read the Azimuth on the lower bolder scale.  The picture is showing 346 degrees.INOGON Diagragm

Find the Elevation.
Set the elevation by using the movable scale to the right of zero on the fixed upper scale.   (The INOGON is supplied with instructions for High precision Accuracy setting to a 10th of a degree.) Lock the scale by pressing in the black knob.  (Unlock it from the rear side).  Raise the Finder until you see paralled lines in the mirror.  The fnt of the INOGON will represent the "look" of the satellite dish.
 

Find the Satellite Signals.
The incoming signals from the satellite should be viewed in the Compass Sight on top of the compass. Any obstacle for the signals will appear in the sight.
 

Determinate the Size of an Opening and the Distance away.
Estimate or measure the distance to the narrow opening you are going to determinate. Read the Table of Distance and Opening Size on top of the INOGON. For example: You estimate you are at least 16 meters (53 feet) from the narrow passage.  If you can see through the opening with the Compass Sight you know that the size of the opening is larger than 1.2 meter (4 feet).
 

What kind of tasks can I perform with the 4.5m Site & Satellite Finder Survey Kit?
 1) Site survey where Azimuth and Elevation "Look Angle" can be read simultaneously. The satellite signals can be visualized and any obstacles can be avoided.

2) Azimuth and Elevation "Look Angle" Setting simultaneously for satellite antenna from 0.3m to 4.0m (1 to 13 feet). Extra extension Alignment Scales might be needed.  Because the Site & Satellite Finder can be placed below the antenna dish the compass will give a correct reading for MAGNETIC as well as for NON-MAGNETIC satellite antennas.  You need to know (at your location) the Azimuth adjusted for the declination (Magnetic north) and the Elevation Look Angle for each satellite you would like to receive signals from.

3) Traditional setting of plumb pole and axis with the magnetic based INOGON in the back of the antenna.

The Site & Satellite Finder Survey kit (Order No. 170505) complete consists of:  Sighting INOGON, SILVA Precision Sighting Compass, 250m (10") Magnetic Base with hook, 600mm (2 ft.) DirecTV Alignment Scale with hook, 1.2m (4ft) Alignment Scale with hook, (4.5M Kit icludes 3 Alignment Scale Extensions each 1.14m (45")) and Compact Tripod.  Comes in a protective carrying case.
 

What kind of tasks can I perform with the Laser Directed Site & Satellite Finder?
 1) Site survey where Azimuth and Elevation "Look Angle" can be read simultaneously. The satellite signals can be visualized and any obstacles can be avoided.

2) Laser Directed Site survey in low light condition. The satellite signals can be visualized and the laser point can be seen 45m (150 ft.) in shaded areas and 300m (1000 ft.) in darkness.  The laser will point out if any obstacles are in the way of the satellite signals.

3) Laser Directed Elevation Setting for the "Look Angle" and Azimuth of satellite antennas from 0.3m to 18m (1 to 60 ft.). The dish antenna can be checked for all the different pre-programmed settings.

4) Traditional setting of plumb pole and axis with the magnetic based INOGON in the back of the antenna.

The Laser Directed Site & Satellite Finder kit (Order No. 170601) consists of:  Sighting INOGON, SILVA Precision Sighting Compass, Laser Projector, Reflective Antenna Face Target, 250mm (10") Magnetic Base, Dish Clamp and Compact Tripod. Comes in a protective case.
 

GPS Directed 3-D Precision Site & Satellite Finder.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) Directed 3-Dimensional Precision Site & Satellite Finder can now be used by the antenna installers worldwide to find their location (latitude and longitude) and declination (difference between Magnetic North and True North).

The Global Positioning System was developed for the US Department of Defense as a high-accuracy navigational and targeting system. GPS units on earth lock onto high-frequency radio signals from some of the 24 GPS satellites and calcuate through triangulation the exact location of the unit (and user). The Defense Department made GPS available to civilian use and today some antenna manufacturers include this instrument in large antenna installations.

With the Azimuth and Elevation at the location, this instrument will show where the satellite signals are emitting from. Also, it will show the width of an opening between buildings, trees or other obstacles for the signals to pass through. For example, if you have a 3 meter antenna you will like to have it be exposed to a 3 meter wide signal.

This new instrument is designed for site survey and aiming Ku-band (DirecTV, Primestar, Digital Music Express (DMX) as well as C-band antenna.

The installer can view a projection of the Azimuth and Elevation degrees simultaneously of incoming signals as well as measure and adjusting the antenna for the Azimuth and the Look Angle.

The GPS Directed 3-D Precision Site & Satellite Finder can be used worldwide.  Depending on your location the Azimuth must be adjusted for magnetic north calculated by the GPS unit; ie. Boston, Massachusetts add 16 degrees, San Francisco, California deduct 16 degrees. The reading is extremely accurate (Location (Latitude/Longitude) +/- 5 meters; AZ +/- 0.5 degrees; and EL +/- 0.1 degree).
 

Placement of the INOGON Elevation Finder on the Prodelin 1.8m antenna for setting the elevation.
Placement of INOGON on Prodelin 1.8M Antenna

Setting antenna elevation on the Prodelin 2.44 meter dish.
The 2.44M offset reflector contains a 22.3 degree of elevation offset Look Angle.  When the reflector aperature is perpendicular to the ground, the antenna is actually pointing 22.3 degrees in elevation.

To set the elevation on the Prodelin 2.44 quick repoint antenna, take the elevation angle from the LAT/LONG program and subtract 22.3 degrees from this value. The difference is the desired inclinometer reading.

Place the inclinometer on the flat front rim of the antenna, as shown in the figure below. Position the inclinometer so it is orientated vertically as the antenna is viewed from the front. Because the reflector surface is made of fiberglass, the inclinometer magnets will not hold the inclinometer in place.  Therefore you will need to use a dish alignment scale with hook.

Setting antenna elevation on the Prodelin 2.44 dish

Calculation of Look Angel for an antenna with offset feed horn.
With the Site & Satellite Finder for DirecTV you can find the Azimuth and Elevation setting simultaneously.  You need to know the Azimuth adjusted for the declination (Magnetic North) and the elevation for your zip code reduced by 22.5 degrees.

Calculation of Look Angle

3-D Site & Satellite Finder for DirecTV.
This new "Face Aiming Method" is extremely fast and accurate.  The elevation is set within +/- 0.1 degree and the azimuth is set within +/- 0.5 degrees accuracy.  There is no need for antenna mount to be plumb or level. The "Look Angle" will be the important thing.

The Site & Satellite Finder fits right into the first two steps of the three step calibration procedure.

  1. Find the side and mounting location on the house (chimney, balcony or wall) with a clear path to the satellite. The dish can be held with the Site & Satellite Finder hanging over the dish and reading at the same time).
    Time:  5 minutes.
  2. Calibrate the dish (AZ-EL) after it is mounted.  The azimuth and look angle can be read simultaneously with the Site & Satellite Finder.
    Time: 2 minutes.
  3. Fine tune the dish with the built-in signal strength meter.  (The dish is now within the three degrees necessary for the signal strenght meter to work.)  This step is more an extra control. The accuracy in the Site & Satellite Finder is more than sufficient to aim the dish.
     

Off Air Antenna Aiming
The INOGON can also be used to aim the Off Air TV antenna. You will hang the alignment scale on the antenna reflector in a vertical position. In order to locate the TV transmitter, the installer, do-it-yourself hobbist, or professional will use a map where the local television stations transmitter site is marked.  A compass circle is calibrated to the exact antenna location and the declination is given for that area. By taking a ruler to line up the town where you are working, the bearing can be read.  (Ex.: Installing in Menlo Park, California:  Read 316 degrees, adjust for Declination 14 degrees west. Point the antenna to 330 degrees). Time:  2 mintues.
 

 

 


 

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