RCA Satellite TV Antenna - Manual (Page 13)

Preparing for Installation 9
Precise Site Survey
WARNING
Do NOT install the dish
near power lines,
electric lights or power
circuits. Contact with
power lines, lights or
power circuits may be
fatal. It is recommended
that the dish be located
more than 20 feet from
overhead power lines.
Tip
Try to keep the compass
away from any metal
objects. Metal objects can
cause inaccurate compass
readings.
Precise Site Survey
Based on your general site survey, you probably already know
where you want to mount your dish, but it’s a good idea to follow
the procedures outlined in this section in order to make sure that
your site selection is a good one.
1. Go outside to your install site and hold a compass flat in the
palm of your hand. Hold your hand still until the needle stops
moving (the dark or colored half of the compass needle always
points north).
2. Rotate the compass so that the “N” (for north) is directly under
the dark part of the compass needle. Your compass is now
aligned with north. The tick marks around the edge of the
compass represent azimuth degrees.
3. Locate the tick mark on the compass that corresponds to the
azimuth number you wrote down. This is the direction of your
azimuth setting (the direction the dish will need to be pointed
to receive signals from the satellite).
5. Repeat this survey in several places on your property if
necessary until you find the best mounting location.
90 °
0 °
30 °
60 °
If you live in Miami,
the satellite will be
to the southwest
If you live in
San Francisco,
the satellite will be
to the southeast
Rotate until N lines up with
the dark half of the arrow
4. Raise your arm to approximately the elevation angle recorded
earlier to make sure that there are no obstructions in the signal
path.
Tip
You may want to review the
section “Mounting the Mast”
and consider the mounting
options before completing
your precise site survey.