Satellite TV antenna dish aiming angle / pointing calculator for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland

Advertisement

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 UK, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England

Choose the satellite you want to see using the pull down menus at box at the lower left.  Using your mouse cursor move it 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 Click the plus sign to enlarge the map scale so you can pin point your lat long location more accurately in the array of navigation boxes at the top left side of the map.  The scale changes so that you can home in accurately on your location.  Repeat several times.  Select Satellite or Hybrid version and see the satellite photo image of the ground or even a view of your own house as seen from space !   Alternatively input your town or postcode:

Centre the map around

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 Astra Sky Satellite add +7 deg, for Eutelsat Hotbird satellite add +3.5 deg polarisation angle.

For the azimuth angle (sideways)  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 rain fades.

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 due south satellite.   Motor rotation angles to the east are positive, to the west negative.

If you want a page oriented towards town and street maps click here: Street maps for the UK.

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.  

Conversion of lat long coordinates to OSGB Grid reference was added 9th June 2007.  Accuracy not yet verified. Abbreviation: OSGB is copyright Ordnance Survey

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 29 Sept 2007.    Navigation: Satellite TV dish pointing