Using Handheld GPS to Align Dish

[bill190]

The most accurate way to point a dish is to use a handheld GPS. Some of these have a "magnetic compass mode", so be sure you are in the correct mode when using the GPS. Some satellite dish pointing software gives a magnetic compass heading and others give the actual heading.

I walk about 30 ft away from my dish and line up the LNB with the center of the dish. Then place a rock there. Then I walk from the dish to the rock with my handheld GPS. It will say exactly where the dish is pointing. If I want to move it, I keep walking different directions until I get the proper direction. Then I place the rock there. Next I point the dish at the rock.

For elevation I use a gravity based protractor. (Some tool stores have these.) Note that if you have an offset dish (LNB not in center of dish) the elevation will be off by 15 to 22 degrees depending on the design of the dish. Get the amount of offset from your dish manufacturer or after you have found a satellite, calculate with a pointing program what the elevation should be, then subtract that from the actual elevation. Then you will know exactly what the elevation should be the next time around.

Dish pointing calculator...
http://home.online.no/~jensts/Satellite/lookangles.htm

Degrees and minutes to decimal converter...
http://vancouver-webpages.com/META/DMS.1.html

Convert from feet to meters...
http://www.qsl.net/w4sat/metconv.htm

Dish Alignment..
http://www.satellite911.com/html/install.html
http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/Installation.htm

[bill190]

Note: In your handhel GPS, go to "set-up". Somewhere in that menu, you should be able to select "True north" or "Magnetic north".

Select "True north".

[Sadoun]

Bill

What brand GPS compass are you using? We might be interested in selling it on our website since it would be helpful to some of our customers.

[bill190]

I am using the least expensive one - The Garmin Etrex handheld GPS. I think it was around $80 at Walmart.

I don't know if many people would buy them from you since not too many people have viewed this topic. But it really is the best way to point a dish. When using a regular compass, I would point it, get a reading, then point it again and get a different reading. Not very accurate.

As we all know, a Ku dish needs to be right on the mark. Using my GPS, accurate dish offset specifications, a dish pointing calculator, and a gravity based protractor for adjusting elevation, I was actually able to get a satellite signal by making my initial dish adjustments.

Now that is accurate!

Following is a link to Garmin...
http://www.garmin.com/products/etrex/

[swampthang7]

Sadoun;..have you heard from this gentleman,or pursued this?...Found this thread,and was very interested and will PM him for more info.TIA.

[Admin]

swampthang7

No haven't pursued it. But seems good and would love to hear back from you if you decide to check it out.

[swampthang7]

ok. 8)