Relevant links on www.satsig.net:

Satellite broadband USA
Maritime mobile
Marine VSAT: Brazil, Argentina, Chile
Orbital Enterprises - Starband
New Era Systems
HughesNet Dustyfoot tripod
Wildblue Ka band
Advantech SatNet
Dish pointing Canada
Dish pointing USA
LinkStar from NiaSat
Americom Govt Serv.(AGS)
Internet in Motion using 3G
OptiStreams

Satellite TV antenna aiming and dish pointing calculator for dish sites in Canada

Advertisement for Jerry Fisher VE4SAT who does FTA satellite TV receivers in Canada
FTA satellite TV in Canada

First choose your wanted orbit longitude and satellite in the box below

  

Instructions pointing for dish sites in Canada

Select your wanted satellite in the box at the lower left.

Put your mouse arrow at your site location and double click or just drag the map.
The map display will move so that the selected point is in the centre. The latitude and longitude of the centre of the map is then shown below the map, together with your satellite dish pointing azimuth, elevation and skew angles.  To refine the accuracy, click on the plus + sign in the six navigation boxes at the upper left side of the map.  The scale will change so that you can home in accurately on your location. Repeat. Choose the Satellite or Hybrid map version to see the satellite photo image of the ground !

Dish pointing (Azimuth and elevation mount):
Set the dish elevation angle first.   This is the up/down angle and there may be a scale on the back.  An inclinometer may be of use.    Set the polarisation or skew angle also. This involves either rotating the LNB or the entire dish assembly.  The may be polarisation rotation scale on the feed throat or behind the dish.   Face the satellite, clockwise is positive.   For the azimuth bearing use a compass or just think where the sun is and the time of day and boldly swing the dish sideways.  You should find the satellite on the first swing, then spend half an hour peaking up.  Peaking up the aiming is really important for long term service quality and minimum outage time during rain fades.
 

Dish pointing (Polar mount):
Only your latitude matters.   Set the main polar mount motor axis angle and the small downward tilt of the dish and with the motor central align the dish towards the due south satellite.   Motor rotation angles to the east are positive, to the west negative.

Navigation: Satellite dish pointing   Satellite broadband and VSAT service in Canada     Satellite maps

In Sept 2006 I added a satellite map view of the earth as seen from the geostationary orbit longitude position of the selected satellite.  It takes several seconds to calculate all the coastline and to draw it into a gif image file.  It should then be displayed on the right hand side.  If you see nothing or the page fails to work in some way,  please tell me.

Disclaimer and Safety Warning:  The results of this page may be in error.  The latitude and longitude are not intended for the blind navigation of aircraft, ship or other vehicle purposes. Dish pointing angles may be wrong.  Magnetic azimuth bearings are approximate or may not be available, particularly towards the polar regions.  Use is entirely at your own risk.  Apply common sense and don't believe every number that comes out of a computer system.  Take care with satellite dish pointing to not injure others by dropping tools or hurting yourself by falling down.  Latitude and longitude may not be accurate.

This page is on the satsig.net web site and is strictly Copyright Satellite Signals Limited (c) 2006 All rights reserved.
Please report any copyright infringements to eric@satsig.net ,
also feedback on technical errors or problems with this page.  Thanks

Page started 1 June 2006, amended 22 Sept 2006, 16 June 2008.