Satellite antenna dish aiming angle / pointing calculator : Southern Africa

Choose your desired orbit longitude and satellite in the box below

You must select the satellite first and then click on the map.  If you change satellite, click the map again nearby the original point till the satellite pointing angles calculate again.

Instructions for people in Congo, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa

First select the satellite you want using the pull down menu in the box at the lower left.

Put your mouse cursor near your location and then double click or simply drag the map.  The map image will move so that the chosen point is in the centre. The latitude and longitude of the dot at the centre of the map is then displayed below the map, together with your satellite dish pointing angles: azimuth, elevation and polarisation.

To improve accuracy, click on the plus sign (+) in the navigation boxes at the top left side of the map.  The scale changes so that you can home in accurately on your location.  Repeat.  Select "Satellite" or "Hybrid" version to see the satellite photo image of the ground or even a view of your own house as seen from space !

Dish pointing (Azimuth and elevation mount):
Set the dish elevation (up/down) angle first.   There may be a scale on the back.  An inclinometer may be of use if you know the dish elevation offset angle.    Set the feed rotation polarisation angle also.  There may be polarisation rotation scale on the LNB feed horn throat.   Facing the satellite, clockwise polarisation is positive, negative is anticlockwise.

For the sideways azimuth angle use a magnetic compass and swing the dish boldly sideways to find the satellite on the first swing.  Then spend half an hour peaking up.  Peaking up is really important for long term service quality and minimum outage time during heavy rain.

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

Navigation:    Satellite TV dish pointing       VSAT and satellite internet service in Africa   Satellite dish angles for West Africa

If you are further north, off the upper edge of the map simply put your mouse cursor near the top, click and drag the map down will you see your country appear. Then press + to enlarge the scale.

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.  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.  

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 9 March 2007. Amended 13 June 2007