Look Angle calculators FOR G28 AND T11N
The satellite’s location, identified by its longitude, can significantly impact the quality of service. This location determines the angle at which the antennas on the ground need to be positioned.
The look angle calculator computes the relationship between the location of the dish on Earth and the position of the satellite in geosynchronous orbit. This is possible because the position of the satellite in such an orbit remains fixed above the equator relative to Earth’s rotation.
The calculation of magnetic azimuth takes this one step further by factoring in Earth’s magnetic field into the equation. This provides a value that a compass would show for the given true azimuth at a particular time and location.
A higher look angle is ideally desired. This is because higher look angles mean less obstructions and interference, whereas a lower look angle increases the risk of potential obstruction.
Look angle calculators are useful, and can provide a basic idea of your line of sight. However, please note the following while using these tools:
- Many are designed to be used for orienting a TV satellite dish, which requires far less precision than a satellite broadband Internet connection. (TV dishes only receive. Internet dishes need to send data to a satellite 23,000 miles away. And a one degree error translates to 457 miles off target.)
- Many use True Azimuth. Two-way satellite Internet installation requires Magnetic Azimuth.
- The LNB skew (or polarization) is 90 degrees off for G28. DishPointer specifies horizontal polarization, which is acceptable for T11N, but not for G28. Skycasters uses vertical polarization for G28. To get vertical polarization, subtract 90 degrees from a positive DishPointer skew number, and add 90 degrees for a negative DishPointer skew number.
The best precision is obtained with the iDirect iSite Antenna Pointing tool. VSAT Systems' installers and service technicians will be provided with this tool.
To use the DishPointer look angle calculator, highlight "1520 S Arlington St, Akron" in the field at the top, and replace it with the site's exact address, or latitude and longitude (GPS location). Then hit enter. If you don't have GPS access, but you do have web access, use Google maps, locate the site, right click and select "What's Here?", and the latitude and longitude will appear in the Google search string field.
The green line points from your location to the point where the satellite is above the equator. If the line is red, the software is saying, "You can't see the satellite from that site." Check your numbers, and try again.
Intelsat Galaxy 28 (G28) at 89 Degrees West Longitude