How to Adjust the Azimuth Angle on a Satellite Dish

To receive the best signal, your dish must be properly aligned.

When you subscribe to a satellite company they usually mount and align the dish for you. But if it has moved or you need to replace it, you need to adjust the azimuth angle according to the compass bearing noted by your satellite company when you signed up. If you don't have the angle, you can find it from dishpointer.com. Enter your ZIP code and the program will give you an azimuth angle in true and magnetic north. Use the magnetic reference with the compass. You must be subscribed to the satellite system to receive a signal.

Things You'll Need

• Compass
• 2 adjustable wrenches
• 2 call phones (optopnal)
• Helper

Instructions

1. Turn on your TV and satellite receiver, and set it up to read the signal level from the satellite. Different satellite companies have different procedures. Use your satellite system user's manual.

2. Stand under the dish and use the compass to locate the magnetic azimuth angle. Note a physical landmark in line with the angle and to use as a reference to point the dish.

3. Loosen the adjustment bolts that hold the dish in place. Do not loosen the mounting bolts. The dish moves left, right, up, down and also turns on its axis. On most mounts, all bolts must be loose to move it in any direction. Slightly loosen the elevation and rotation bolts but loosen the azimuth adjustment bolts more. Some mounts may use all bolts for all directions. See the user's manual for your particular dish.

4. Move the dish to point at the landmark you noted with your compass. Look at received signal strength on your TV. If using a helper, you can communicate with him with cellphones if out of voice range.

5. Move the dish a tiny increment to the left. Ask you helper if the signal improved. If it did, move another increment to the left. If not, move it two tiny increments to the right. Continue moving in tiny increments in the direction that causes the signal to increase until an increment causes a decrease. Go back to the highest signal.

6. Tighten the adjustment bolts carefully one at a time while monitoring the signal. Be careful not to decrease the signal while tightening. You may have to tighten one just a few turns and then tighten another to keep the dish aligned.

Tips & Warnings

• Satellite dishes can be very sensitive to motion. A slight adjustment can make a significant change to the signal strength. Be patient when adjusting and constantly monitor the signal to get the maximum strength you can.

• If you don't see a signal with just azimuth adjustment, check the elevation angle too. Once you find a signal, alternate azimuth and elevation adjustments for the maximum signal strength.

• If the dish is located in a precarious or dangerous position, don't try to adjust it if you're not experienced. Call an expert to avoid an accident or injury.

References

• Monsterfm: Satellite Dish Alignment
• Dishpointer: Satellite Finder / Dish Pointing Calculator with Google Maps