How can you speed up this process cheaply and competently?
The most affordable solution for antenna tuning is the Satellite finder Opticum Spotter SF-3.
Note that we are talking about outdoor settings without a receiver and TV. Everything seems to be clear, just set it up and you can admire your favorite filmmaker on the TV screen.
But it's not that simple!
It happens that the wind knocked down the antenna adjustment or the "feisty" neighbor adjusted your settings. It happens, you must agree!
Moreover, it has been noticed that the antenna is not always stationary.
How come?
Yes, simply, use in travel, in motor homes, yachts (in the parking lot). Or just for people who do not want to leave a satellite antenna in a summer house for the winter.
Let me remind you that setting up a satellite antenna without a special device.
Of course, this must be done without sudden movements, everything is done very smoothly and slowly. Well, like on the first date with a girl! ;)
Probably we already know that the dish (satellite dish) is regulated around the axis (in azimuth) and vertically (the angle of the terrain).
And so, we set the angle of the terrain almost to the maximum, that is, the antenna should be lifted up almost to the end, and we begin very slowly to rotate the rear suspension of the antenna around the axis (on the bracket), until the signal appears.
We learn that there is a signal when we see the filled indicators "Signal level" and "Quality" on the TV.
So you need to turn the antenna while looking at the TV, or you can ask someone to look at the screen, and when the signal appears, tell you about it.
If the signal does not appear, slightly lower the vertical and rotate the antenna around its axis again.
And so, until a signal appears, turn the antenna slowly, and after the next turn, if the signal does not appear, change the position of the terrain angle (vertical) and turn the antenna again.
Do not rush, do all the movements smoothly, you may even succeed. HOWEVER, friends, there is a device that will speed up this task for us!
And this is the Satellite finder Opticum Spotter SF-3.
What do we have?
Satellite finder has LCD display, 4 buttons and built-in compass. Equipped with sound signaling and backlighting. So you can work at night without even looking at the display.
Connects directly to the cable from the converter to the receiver. Automatically detects converter frequency and works with C, Ku and Ka band signals.
- Input frequencies: 950 - 2400MHz
- Min. input level: -40dBm
- Max. input level: -10dBm
Guide to action:
And so, one end of the cable from the receiver is connected to the "TO REC" output, and the other (from the converter) to the "TO LNB" output.
Next, tune the antenna until the maximum value on the satellite finder indicator is reached.
If it goes off scale, slightly lower the sensitivity by pressing the button to the left. After that, tune the antenna to achieve the maximum possible on the indicator.
The signal is displayed as a scale and as a percentage.
I will note that there are other budget solutions, for example, this or, there is a choice, there was only a desire.
Good luck Friends!
Hereinafter, the program will use the abbreviation SAA created to calculate the basic angles that are involved in the installation of a satellite dish. The main difference from other programs is the ability to calculate the position for all satellites at once. The program will also show which satellites are physically visible from the place where the dish is installed. It should be noted that this program allows you to calculate the direction very accurately.
Azimuth- this is the direction to the object (satellite) in degrees from 0 (north) and clockwise, located by the compass. Elevation angle Is the direction, defined as the angle (in degrees) between the direction to the satellite and the ground plane at the receiving point. If the program gave a negative value, it means that the satellite is below the horizon and the reception of such satellites in this area is impossible. In order to start working with the SAA program, it is necessary to enter the initial data - "Coordinates of the antenna installation site", i.e. the geographical coordinates of the place where the antenna is installed. Symbols in the program: "N-north latitude", "S-south latitude", "E-east longitude" and "W-west longitude". After entering the coordinates, the calculated azimuth and elevation angles (elevation) of the antenna for all satellites appear on the left side of the table. SAA uses absolute values and calculates angle values according to formulas. The easiest way to determine the calculated azimuth on the ground is using a compass - it is necessary to orient the compass case at the antenna installation site so that the "North" arrow is aligned with the zero of the azimuth scale. An imaginary line passing through the axis of the arrow and the scale division corresponding to the calculated azimuth will indicate the direction to the satellite. However, this method gives a large error. Almost everywhere on Earth, the magnetic azimuth differs from the true one - the magnetic poles of the Earth are somewhat different from the geographic ones. In addition, the compass is affected by magnetic anomalies - a distortion of the Earth's magnetic field. It is more accurate to tune the dish by orienting it towards the sun at a certain time. SAA also helps to calculate this time.
For example, let's calculate the Azimuth and elevation for the Intelsat 904 satellite at 60 ° East. Our conditional location is Yekaterinburg. First of all, we determine the coordinates of our location, you can determine them using a GPS navigator, a physical map of the area, or using the Internet by entering into a search engine: Geographic coordinates of Yekaterinburg, latitude and longitude of Yekaterinburg and others. So, we got the coordinates, we insert them into the program. Latitude: 56 ° 49 "N
Longitude: 60 ° 34 "E
Time zone: GMT +5: 00
Our calculated angles: Azimuth: 180.677 °, Elevation: 25.323 °
Due to the fact that recently offset satellite dishes have become widespread, they already have a certain elevation angle (within 20-25 degrees), and for them the elevation angle will be somewhat different. So, to determine this angle, you need to enter the dimensions of your offset antenna (height and width) into the program and the program will calculate the exact angle of elevation. This can be done in the "Offset antenna" tab. The calculation is performed only for antennas with a height greater than a width. Also, this tab shows the elevation angle to the satellite you have chosen, and the angle at which you need to actually install the antenna.
As mentioned above, the program allows you to determine the direction of the antenna using the sun, without using a compass! The calculation is made for the same geographic coordinates that we entered for our area. To calculate, go to the "Azimuth in the sun" tab. In the program, you must specify the date and time zone (by default, the current date is taken) and calculate the movement of the sun in increments of one minute. The calculation results are displayed in the table on the left. For the sun, both azimuth and elevation are calculated at the current time.
In the column on the left, we are looking for the value of the previously recorded or stored azimuth. This value must be mandatory on a green background. The "Time" column will indicate the time when the sun will be in the same direction as the satellite. The height of the sun above the horizon is determined by the elevation angle. The elevation angle of the sun and the elevation angle of the satellite are likely to be different. For Yekaterinburg, as of March 1, 2012, the sun will be in the desired position at 13:12, 13:13. It remains for us to wait until this time comes and from the installation site to direct the satellite dish towards the sun. Important points: When calculating, it is necessary to indicate the time zone (for Yekaterinburg +5 hours to Greenwich Mean Time). If in the country the arrows are switched to summer time, then it is necessary to add 1 hour to the obtained azimuth calculations!
The SAA program also allows you to calculate the angle between the obstacle in the path of the satellite dish and the plane of the conventional horizon where the antenna is located. By specifying the height of the obstacle and the distance to it, you can determine this angle. If this angle is greater than the elevation angle of the satellite you have selected, then satellite reception at this installation location is not possible. To calculate this angle, go to the "Obstacles" tab.
By going to the "Transponders" tab, the program will download from the Internet all active transponders of the selected satellite. These transponders can be used when tuning the antenna!
We hope this information will help you understand the Satellite Antenna Alignment software options and make your satellite dish installation quick and enjoyable!
Now, we need the Satellite Antenna Alignment program itself. You can download its latest version, as well as look at the program help, directly from the developer's website - www.al-soft.com, from this page " http://www.al-soft.com/saa/satinfo.shtml". Well, or by clicking on the direct link below.
The program for Russian users is absolutely free, does not require registration and does not have any time limits. provided that it is used for non-commercial purposes... It also has very correct support for the Russian language. Required hard disk space, just under 1.5 MB.
Installation does not require any complex manipulations. After downloading it, run the installer (saa.exe file). Next, choose a language interface convenient for you, if you choose English, the program, at the end, will offer to register "Register Now" (online order page). Accept the terms of the license agreement, and then select the location where you want to install the program, as well as where it can create shortcuts.
Here I would like to advise you to install the program not on the "C" drive, where your "Windows" system is located, but on any other partition. It is quite unpretentious, and continues to work even after reinstalling the system (for example, in the event of a system crash), which excludes re-installation with subsequent adjustment to your coordinates. For me, it worked well, even on a "flash drive".
At the end of the installation, the program will offer a list of cities, with which you can go to the site (requires an Internet connection), where you can find out the coordinates of the selected settlement, which are necessary for the subsequent setup of the program.
In the future, I will assume that you downloaded it and installed it on your PC.
This program implements the calculation of the azimuth to the Sun, which means that you can do without a compass in principle, but I did not use this function, since sunny weather does not always happen, and because of this, postpone the installation satellite dish I think not worth it. All we need from this program is in which direction, and how many degrees from the south, the satellite (s) we need will be located, as well as the approximate tilt of the mirror itself satellite dish... Otherwise, the program can be used in teaching theory settings purposes, although of course you choose. You will ask why? My answer is this. The point is that to customize satellite dish, using all the parameters given by the program, you need to use certain instruments and devices, which you most likely will not have. Therefore, we will only use the compass well known to all of us, and everything else, we will do only manually.
Before using this Satellite Antenna Alignment, we need to configure it for our location. To do this, after installing the program, click on the shortcut with the image of a small satellite dish,
that's why
which you have, should appear on the desktop, or in the start menu of all AL-SoftwareSatellite Antenna Alignment programs, the "Satellite Antenna Alignment" icon (Photo 1).
After launching it, we will enter our geographic coordinates on the first tab, with the name " Antenna angles"(Photo 2). For convenience, you can enter the name of your settlement on the same tab. Further, to save the entered data, click on the button below with the inscription" Save ".
The installation of the program, as well as its customization for your location, is completed.
Now, let's use this program to determine which satellites will be in the field of view (in the coverage area), well, of course, in this example, it is applicable to my location.
In this program, there is a great opportunity, immediately after entering the coordinates of your location, to find out which satellites will be in the line of sight (coverage area). That is, we do not need to first calculate the extreme ones, and then look at which ones will be between them.
For this ( only after entering your coordinates!), on the same tab " Antenna angles", look at the satellite table. It is located on the left side of the program window. Take a look at the" Elevation angle "column (Photo 3).
There are red and green lines. Red ones indicate those satellites that, for you, will disappear over the horizon. And the green ones show that these satellites are in the line of sight, that is, they are available for receiving a signal from your settlement.
If the coverage area, you will determine with the help of the "online calculator", then you can see more detailed information.
To determine both all visible satellites and the extreme visible from the installation site and satellite dish settings, you can use this particular function of the program. But ... Satellite Antenna Alignment is just a program and it can't see if you have any obstacles. For example, a corner of a neighboring house, or a nearby balcony.
Now, we will determine the coverage area of visible satellites, based on the visibility, directly for the place where it will be installed itself satellite antenna.
Current version 3.5.0 - Date 10-January-2018 (The program is free for non-commercial use)
The program "Satellite Antenna Alignment" is designed to calculate the angles required when installing a satellite dish. The azimuth and elevation (elevation) are calculated for each satellite. The main difference from similar programs is the ability to calculate all satellites at once. Thus, a clear picture is formed about which satellites are physically visible from the antenna installation site, and which are not. It should be remembered that in this program the calculation is purely theoretical, according to the formulas, and in real conditions, when installing the antenna, many more factors must be taken into account, such as various obstacles (buildings, trees), terrain, height above sea level, direction of transponders, polarization etc. But nevertheless, this program will allow you to assess the state of affairs quite accurately. The resulting calculation can be saved to a text file, copied to the Windows clipboard, or directly output to a printer. Export to MS Excel, MS Word, HTML and CSV files is available. It is possible to memorize a list of places for which the calculation was made. Subsequently, you will no longer need to enter the coordinates of these places again, just select them from the table. The program has a multilingual interface (English, Russian, Ukrainian, German, Lithuanian, Dutch, Romanian, Polish, French).
You can always download the latest version of the program at this link:
You need to start working with the program by entering the geographic coordinates of your satellite dish installation point. Enter your coordinates in the "Coordinates of the antenna installation site" section. North latitude - "N", south latitude - "S". Likewise, east longitude is "E", west longitude is "W". After the coordinates are entered, on the left side of the table you will receive the calculation of the angles for all satellites at once. The azimuth and elevation of the antenna (elevation) is calculated. The resulting azimuth is the direction to the satellite in degrees clockwise from north. The elevation angle is the angle (in degrees) between the direction of the satellite signal and the tangent plane to the ground at your point of reception. If the elevation angle is negative, then the satellite is hidden behind the horizon and reception of a signal from it is, in principle, impossible. Thus, from your vantage point, you can theoretically see satellites whose elevation is a positive value. Knowing the azimuth, you can quickly navigate and determine the direction to the satellite, determine the obstacles in the path of the antenna direction (neighboring houses, trees).
As mentioned above, the program operates with absolute values and calculates everything using formulas. Thus, the resulting azimuth is the angle relative to absolute north, and not from what your compass can show, because a compass is not a very constant thing, especially in urban conditions. It's better to navigate by the sun)
Additionally, the program implements the calculation of the azimuth in the sun, and now you can do without a compass! The calculation is performed for a point, the geographical coordinates of which you specified to calculate the azimuth to the satellites. The height above sea level is considered to be 0 meters. You can specify the date (the default is the current date) and calculate the movement of the sun in increments of one minute. The calculation results are displayed in the table on the left. For the sun, both azimuth and elevation are calculated at the current time. Thus, it allows you to do without a compass when installing the antenna. First, determine the azimuth to the satellite you want. Then calculate the azimuth in the sun for the day you plan to install the antenna. Find the azimuth of the sun in the table that is most equal to the azimuth to the satellite, and you will get the time (and date) when the sun will be in the same direction as the satellite. At the right moment in time, we turn the antenna directly to the sun, the azimuth of the sun at this moment coincides with the azimuth of the satellite. Or just mark this position, rotate the antenna later. When calculating, do not forget to indicate your time zone (Moscow +3 hours from Greenwich). Additionally, the program calculates the azimuth of sunrise and sunset, as well as the time and angle of elevation when the sun is strictly in the south.
Daylight saving time is not included in the program! Therefore, for summer time, you need to add +1 hour to the obtained results of calculating the azimuth in the sun.
The program draws a simple diagram showing the sides of the horizon. The yellow sector denotes daylight hours, the eastern part of it is the sunrise, the western part is the sunset. On the same diagram, you can schematically display the direction to the satellite you need. Select a satellite in the drop-down list, the direction to it (azimuth) is drawn with a red line. If the elevation angle to the satellite is negative, then the red line is not drawn (the satellite is not visible).
Offset satellite dishes are now widely used. Such an antenna, standing strictly vertically, already has a certain elevation angle (~ 20-25 degrees). You can enter the dimensions of your offset antenna (height and width) and the software will calculate the exact elevation angle for that antenna. The calculation is performed only for antennas with a height greater than a width. Enter antenna dimensions in millimeters. The angle of elevation to the satellite of your choice will also be shown here, and the angle at which you need to actually install the antenna (in degrees from the plane of the earth)
Version history "Satellite Antenna Alignment":
10 January 2018 version 3.5.0
The base of satellites has been updated, new satellites have been added. Some satellites have moved to a new position.
May 30, 2013 version 2.97.0
January 28, 2008 version 2.50.0
Compatible with Windows Vista, fixed some minor bugs in the interface
The satellite database has been updated, new recently launched satellites have been added. Some satellites have moved to a new position.
07 January 2008 version 2.38.0
The satellite database has been updated, new recently launched satellites have been added. Some satellites have moved to a new position.
15 October 2006 version 2.36.8
Updated satellite database, fixed some bugs in the interface
Updated satellite database
08 April 2006 version 2.36.1
Some fixes in Dutch, some bugs in the program's interface were fixed.
March 14, 2006 version 2.36
The satellite database has been updated, new recently launched satellites have been added, and retired satellites have been removed.
The satellite table is now stored in the external CSV file "satellites.txt", which is located in the program directory. The separator is the ";" then. it is possible to update the satellite table without updating the program. Those who wish can leave in it only the satellites that are relevant to them, deleting unnecessary lines.
Changes in the satellite table: instead of the "+" and "-" symbols, the symbols "E" and "W" are now used for the eastern and western satellites, respectively.
The speed of calculating azimuths in the sun has been radically increased (there were slow places in the algorithm). In this regard, the button "Calculate azimuth in the sun" has been removed. the table of azimuths in the sun is now calculated automatically when the source data is changed, and always contains the already calculated results.
Added Romanian and Polish languages to the interface (Romanian, Polish)
Added export to HTML files separately for the table of satellites and the table of azimuths in the sun
Added export to CSV files separately for the table of satellites and the table of azimuths in the sun. That. the results obtained can be subjected to additional processing if someone needs it.
Added the ability to save results as XLS files (MS Excel), MS Excel is not required. The resulting XLS files can be used in OpenOffice. The possibility of direct export to MS Excel via OLE linking is left, but this function requires MS Office installed.
All basic actions can now be performed using hotkeys:
- switch to the tab with the calculation of azimuths and elevation to satellites
- switch to the bookmark with the calculation of azimuths and elevation in the sun
- switch to the tab with the calculation of the elevation angle for an offset antenna
- switch to the tab with the calculation of the angle of ascent to obstacles in the path of the antenna
- switch to the tab with a text report (the report is automatically generated only for the first time)
- switch to the bookmark with the Web browser to get information about transponders from the Lyngsat.com and satcodx.com sites
- Export of satellite tables to MS Excel via OLE linking
- Export to MS Excel tables of azimuths in the sun via OLE linking
- Export to MS Word table of satellites via OLE linking
- Export to MS Word table of azimuths in the sun via OLE linking
- Save table of satellites in * .HTML file
- Save a table of azimuths in the sun to * .HTML file
- Save table of satellites in * .CSV file, separator is ";"
- Save the table of azimuths to the sun in * .CSV file, the separator is the ";"
- Save table of satellites in * .XLS file, MS Excel is not required
- Save the azimuth table in the sun in * .XLS file, MS Excel is not required
05 October 2005 version 2.35
The satellite database has been updated, new recently launched satellites have been added. Some satellites have moved to a new position.
The principle of entering the geographic coordinates of the receiving site has changed. Specify "N" for north latitude, "S" for south, "E" for east longitude, and "W" for west longitude (previously it was necessary to put "+" or "-"). Thus, now the program can be used in the immediate vicinity of the prime meridian and the equator (coordinates less than 1 degree). All previously saved positions are processed correctly.
The Dutch language has been added to the interface.
Now it is possible for each satellite to receive a list of transponders from the Lyngsat.com and satcodx.com websites. When you double-click on the satellite name, the program loads the corresponding page from the Lyngsat.com website. If you call a pop-up menu on the satellite name (right mouse button), you will be able to choose from where to download information about transponders: from Lyngsat.com or from satcodx.com. Those. now you can quickly get detailed information from TV channels for the selected satellite directly from the program. Internet connection required.
April 21, 2005 version 2.33
Fixed some bugs. Thanks to everyone who sends feedback and bug reports.
March 21, 2005 version 2.31
Ukrainian language has been added to the interface. 
March 12, 2005 version 2.3
The algorithm for calculating the azimuth and elevation in the sun has been corrected for the better, now it has a higher accuracy. Some changes in the formula for calculating the azimuth to satellites, also increased the accuracy of calculations.
March 10, 2005 version 2.2
Fixed bug when calculating azimuth and elevation for geographic coordinates of the southern hemisphere (Australia, etc.)
March 6, 2005 version 2.1
Added export to MS Excel and MS Word. It is required that MS Excel and MS Word be installed on the computer, otherwise the export will not work. The export works on the principle of OLE linking: it is launched by invisible Excel (Word), the results are output to it, then Excel (Word) is displayed on the screen. During export, slight delays are possible (from a few seconds to a minute), the progress of the export is displayed in the status bar. The satellite table and the azimuth table are exported separately, for which four items have been added to the main menu: 
March 1, 2005 version 2.0
First public release. Prior to this, the program was developed for personal use only.
The program is free for non-commercial use.
If you find this program helpful,
you can thank the author with any amount to your wallet
Payment system WebMoney:
Z444815179910
R509750044656
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or use online payment via PayPro:
This program is my debut in the field of satellite reception, so if you notice any inaccuracies or errors in it, please let me know about them. I will try to fix them if possible. You can tell me your wishes for improving and finalizing the program. Contact form.
Self-calculation of the installation of a satellite dish Satellite Antenna Alignment.
Satellite dish, installation and calculation of angles of direction to the satellite.
To make everything easier, we suggest you consider and use the good free Satellite Antenna Alignment program.
The angle of rotation of a satellite dish is simply two angles. The horizontal angle (azimuth (bearing)), and the vertical angle (elevation). Azimuth is the angle measured from north in a clockwise direction. Due to the peculiarities of the fastening of the satellite dish and the accuracy of the calculations, preliminary targeting is performed first. First of all, it will be discussed.
The easiest way to determine the angles of the antenna rotation is to go outside and see where the antennas of other satellite TV users are looking. Naturally, given which satellite they are targeting (from advertising on plates, or from a conversation with neighbors). The downside is accuracy, and such that the first time you can generally catch another satellite.
The first thing that will become clear is whether trees and buildings interfere with the reception. If they interfere, then you need to determine another place of attachment, but it is highly desirable that the cable be no more than 10, maximum 20 meters long (signal attenuation (almost 2 times) otherwise will reduce all your success in installing the antenna to a mediocre result).
A completely different question is how to direct the antenna exactly to these angles.
If you have a compass (however, metal on the roof and balcony cannot be avoided, as well as fictitious declination) it will still be possible to approximately install the antenna, and then you can adjust it manually. In the Russian Federation, maps sometimes help with the location of houses and objects relative to the North Pole (N true) and even a view of the church (the cross on a normal church is oriented strictly to the North). Along the vertical angle, a little easier - along the plumb line and protractor.
If there is nothing, then at the Zenith of the sun (the highest point above the horizon). We did not specifically indicate the time (in our country this is a separate topic). Let's say - around 14 o'clock today. This is the South, and it is from it that we count the direction to the satellite by eye, by successive division along the horizontal (90/2 = 45, 45/2 = 22, 5, etc.) Simple, but it works.
Similarly - you can estimate the angle of inclination of the antenna during installation - by sequential visual division along the vertical (90/2 = 45, 45/2 = 22, 5, 22, 5/2 = 11.25, etc.) Simple, but it works.
What accuracy is needed in the calculations? Without going into an excursion depending on the distance of the satellite location and accuracy, let's say that 2 degrees for the RF (for most satellites) is the limit, for the average value for calculations and installation. We also take into account the features of the accuracy of the fasteners, mounting deviations and deformation of the antenna, which should be immediately reduced and foreseen.
Satellite Antenna Alignment - a program for calculating the angles required when installing a satellite dish. The program is free and runs from XP to windows 7. It is available in Russian, which makes it easier to work.
The program "Satellite Antenna Alignment" is designed to calculate the angles required when installing a satellite dish. The azimuth and elevation (elevation) are calculated for each satellite. The main difference from similar programs is the ability to calculate all satellites at once. Thus, a clear picture is formed about which satellites are physically visible from the antenna installation site, and which are not.
It should be remembered that in this program the calculation is purely theoretical, according to the formulas, and in real conditions, when installing the antenna, many more factors must be taken into account, such as various obstacles (buildings, trees), terrain, height above sea level, direction of transponders, polarization etc.
Additionally, the program implements the calculation of the azimuth in the sun, and now you can do without a compass!
This program will allow you to assess the position quite accurately. The resulting calculation can be saved to a text file, copied to the Windows clipboard, or directly output to a printer. Export to MS Excel, MS Word, HTML and CSV files is available. It is possible to memorize a list of places for which the calculation was made. The program has a multilingual interface (English, Russian, Ukrainian, German, Lithuanian, Dutch, Romanian, Polish, French).
The latest versions can be downloaded from the official site - http://www.al-soft.com/saa/satinfo-ru.shtml
Perhaps you will be asked to take a short survey, or an antivirus will screech, but usually not everything is so bad, it's just that the program is free and the company somehow makes money. There are older versions on the Internet without ads and polls (as well as without antivirus warnings).
You need to start working with the program by entering the geographic coordinates of your satellite dish installation point. Enter your coordinates in the "Coordinates of the antenna installation site" section. North latitude - "N", south latitude - "S". Likewise, east longitude is "E", west longitude is "W". After the coordinates are entered, on the left side of the table you will receive the calculation of the angles for all satellites at once.
The azimuth and elevation of the antenna (elevation) is calculated. The resulting azimuth is the direction to the satellite in degrees clockwise from north. The elevation angle is the angle (in degrees) between the direction of the satellite signal and the tangent plane to the ground at your point of reception. If the elevation angle is negative, then the satellite is hidden behind the horizon and reception of a signal from it is, in principle, impossible. Thus, from your vantage point, you can theoretically see satellites whose elevation is a positive value. Knowing the azimuth, you can quickly navigate and determine the direction to the satellite, determine the obstacles in the path of the antenna direction (neighboring houses, trees).
As mentioned above, the program operates with absolute values and calculates everything using formulas. Thus, the resulting azimuth is the angle relative to absolute north, and not from what your compass can show, because a compass is not a very constant thing, especially in urban conditions. It's better to navigate by the sun)
Additionally, the program implements the calculation of the azimuth in the sun, and now you can do without a compass! The calculation is performed for a point, the geographical coordinates of which you specified to calculate the azimuth to the satellites. The height above sea level is considered to be 0 meters. You can specify the date (the default is the current date) and calculate the movement of the sun in increments of one minute. The calculation results are displayed in the table on the left. For the sun, both azimuth and elevation are calculated at the current time. Thus, it allows you to do without a compass when installing the antenna. First, determine the azimuth to the satellite you want. Then calculate the azimuth in the sun for the day you plan to install the antenna. Find the azimuth of the sun in the table that is most equal to the azimuth to the satellite, and you will get the time (and date) when the sun will be in the same direction as the satellite. At the right moment in time, we turn the antenna directly to the sun, the azimuth of the sun at this moment coincides with the azimuth of the satellite. Or just mark this position, rotate the antenna later. When calculating, do not forget to indicate your time zone (Moscow +3 hours from Greenwich). Additionally, the program calculates the azimuth of sunrise and sunset, as well as the time and angle of elevation when the sun is strictly in the south.
Daylight saving time is not included in the program! Therefore, for summer time, you need to add +2 hours to the obtained results of calculating the azimuth in the sun.
The program draws a simple diagram showing the sides of the horizon. The yellow sector denotes daylight hours, the eastern part of it is the sunrise, the western part is the sunset. On the same diagram, you can schematically display the direction to the satellite you need. Select a satellite in the drop-down list, the direction to it (azimuth) is drawn with a red line. If the elevation angle to the satellite is negative, then the red line is not drawn (the satellite is not visible).
Offset satellite dishes are now widely used. Such an antenna, standing strictly vertically, already has a certain elevation angle (~ 20-25 degrees). You can enter the dimensions of your offset antenna (height and width) and the software will calculate the exact elevation angle for that antenna. The calculation is performed only for antennas with a height greater than a width. Enter antenna dimensions in millimeters. The angle of elevation to the satellite of your choice will also be shown here, and the angle at which you need to actually install the antenna (in degrees from the plane of the earth)
There are already ready-made calculations for the main cities of the Russian Federation
http://www.al-soft.com/saa/webreports/
For example, for St. Petersburg, the calculated angles for each satellite will help you when installing a satellite dish for satellite Internet or satellite television NTV-Plus, Tricolor TV, Raduga TV, Platform HD, Continent TV.
| Azimuth and elevation to satellites for Sankt-Peterburg - [Latitude: 59 ° 55 "N, Longitude: 30 ° 15" E] |
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| Satellite | Azimuth | Elevation angle | ||
