Pointing a TV Satellite Dish

Pointing a TV satellite dish

Various satellite television service providers such as Dish Network use a satellite dish to bring customers numerous services. In order to enjoy maximum results from the satellite TV, you need to be sure it's receiving the best possible signal.

Most people think it is a difficult process pointing their satellite dish, but it's not as hard as you think. Here are a few factors involved in pointing a TV satellite dish:

1. Azimuth:

Refers to the horizontal measurement of a direction from North to East. In terms of your TV satellite dish, it tells you how far left or right your satellite should go.

2. Altitude or Elevation:

This gives your TV satellite dish its heading, telling it how far above the horizon it needs to go.

Another factor to consider when pointing a TV satellite dish:

3. Polarization:

Polarization refers to the adjustment needed for the curving of the Earth. This rotational adjustment compensates for the Earth's curvature between the dish and the beam of the satellite.

The good news is that you can usually find this information with the help of your satellite provider or within the manual of the satellite dish. DISH Network for example features a Point Dish/Signal option in their on-screen menu to assist you in the adjustment of your TV satellite dish. Using your zip code, you can determine the azimuth, elevation and skew. Pointing your dish is normally part of the installation process so plan to do your install when you have time to follow through.

The polarization should be set before you mount your dish. Using the adjustment number from your service provider, rotate the dish horn to match the recommended coordinates. With your azimuth and elevation numbers in hand, grab your compass and go outside. Standing close to your TV satellite dish but at least one foot away, rotate your compass until the needle points North (zero degrees).

The next step would be to locate the azimuth number (from this point) on the compass and turn to face that point without moving the compass itself. East is 90 degrees, South is 180 degrees and West is 270 degrees. If your azimuth number is 240 for example, you would face a direction that fell between South and West on your compass.

Now that you've found your direction, estimate the angle of altitude / elevation. With the ground representing zero, calculate the distance going upwards using the elevation number provided by your provider. Straight up would be 90 degrees so if your elevation number was 45, your elevation would be halfway between the ground and looking straight up into the sky. Easy does it... Enjoy your crystal clear picture!

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