How to Calculate Satellite Position

An overhead satellite appears to be stationary relative to its position to you due to its matching the exact speed of the earth's rotation. This enables a satellite dish that is properly aimed at a satellite to not have to be positioned again. To find the proper elevation and azimuth settings of a particular satellite, use an online satellite calculator. These type of calculators are available for use at no charge and do not require any math abilities to execute correctly.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Visit a satellite calculation website, for example, the CSG Network website (see Resources).

2. Select your city and state--use the closest city to your own if the one you live in is not listed.

3. Select the satellite whose position you want to locate, for example, a Dish Network or DirecTV satellite for use with a TV satellite subscription, or a free-to-air (FTA) satellite to use for free satellite reception.

4. Click the "Calculate" button to display the settings for the satellite chosen. Write down the settings on a piece of paper so you won't forget them.

5. Click the "Clear Values" button to remove the results from the text fields. Select another satellite if you so desire.

Tips & Warnings

• You must adjust the compass to display "True North" by adding/subtracting the magnetic deviation for your area.

Resources

• CSG Network: Satellite Azimuth And Elevation Position Calculator
• SatCalculator: Satellite dish look angle pointer calculator
• Dish Pointer: Satellite Finder / Dish Pointing Calculator with Google Maps
• Top Bits: History of Satellite Television