How to Point an FTA Dish
Free-to-air (FTA) satellite programming doesn't require a subscription. Many of the satellites have programming geared toward one or two markets. Say your interest is Arabic programming; you just need to point your dish at the Galaxy 25 (also known as Telstar 5) satellite, which has a lot of Arabic and Farsi programming. Pointing takes place once. If you want to surf a range of satellites, you need a motorized dish for moving from one satellite to another.
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Instructions
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1
Choose your programming from the list of satellites. See below for a list of satellites. Make a note of the orbital slot. For example, Galaxy 25 is at 97° West.
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2
Calculate the elevation, azimuth and delineation using an online calculator (see below). For example, to reach Galaxy 25 from Los Angeles the dish's elevation setting would be 54.5 degrees, and azimuth would be 214.8. However, this azimuth reading is the true north reading. Declination comes in to play here. Declination is the magnetic deviation factor between true north and magnetic north, so use the calculator's delineation chart and adjust that figure.
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3
Climb your ladder and, loosening the elevation bolt, set the elevation. Then set the azimuth. The degree settings will be labeled on the dish; just loosen the bolts and move the dish into place so the marks line up to the required settings.
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4
Using a compass, point the satellite dish at the compass heading. The heading is the azimuth, plus or minus the delineation. So, holding the compass flat, line the North needle up with the North markings on the compass and point the dish in the direction of the azimuth's degree reading on the compass dial.
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5
Look in the direction that the dish is now pointing and check for obstructions. Trees or buildings will obstruct the signal, and you will need to go back to Step 1 if that's the case.
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6
Connect the signal finder and make final adjustments. Start the signal finder with the sensitivity halfway, and move the dish azimuth in small increments until the signal is perfect. Do the same with the elevation. Verify this at the television. You may find it useful to have a friend in place and a walkie-talkie.
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Tips & Warnings
Beware of false compass readings from metal objects --- the dish in this case. You may want to have a friend use the compass away from the dish and call out the results.
