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Old 03-03-2015, 05:09 AM   #1
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Antenna heading

Hate to ask such a silly question but how do you determine your heading the antenna site gives you the heading numbers but I have never learned how to calculate where to position it.
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Old 03-03-2015, 05:17 AM   #2
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What type of antenna are you talking about?

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Old 03-03-2015, 05:48 AM   #3
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The sites all give you compass bearings. I.E. South would be 180 deg., West would be 270 deg and so on.

The simplest way to do it is with an inexpensive compass, or free compass app. on any smartphone so equipped.

You 'sight' the direction you're looking for and point the antenna that way. Once you're close you use the signal strength meter in the TV to fine tune the direction.
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Old 03-03-2015, 06:23 AM   #4
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Well there are basically three types of antennas and I will cover them all

OTA: you need to know which way is NORTH, NORTH is zero degrees
East 90, South 180, West 270 and if you have ever used a compass or a protractor you should be able to figure it out. I like a "hiker's Compass" by the way Get it at REI,, or a Sat Compass at Camping World, the only difference between them is the name printed on them.

It is a plastic retangle with a circular compass at one end.

You can also use a Smart Phone to find NORTH (Compass app).

Use Antenna Helper (Free) to ind the heading and then aim the antenna, NOTE: arrow on handle is 90 degrees EAST of antenna point, so add 90

Sat (DirecTV) Enter zip code get elevation, preset elevation & snug but do not tighten bolts, make sure mast is plumb (Straight up and down) see above for azimuth, Jump to all sat.

I like to start one side on Azimuth and slowly turn it through the suggested See note below.

DirecHDTV and DISH: same as above but preset Tilt/Skew and tighten, Preset Elevation as above.

ALL SAT: once you peak, push/pull gently on the top and see if you can improve the signal any, if you do, then adjust in that direction and re-aim azimuth a bit, once you got it peaked both ways tighten all bolts.


NOTE: There are (for most of the country) TWO norths, Magnetic and geographic. A compass, at night, might or might not point at the North Star.

Some apps use Magnetic, Some Geographical some give you a choice.

Thankfully the difference is never very great so teh "Swing slowly through the suggested azimuth" suggestion.. fixes it.
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Old 03-04-2015, 04:28 AM   #5
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Thanks all easily determined when you have a starting point.
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Old 03-04-2015, 06:21 AM   #6
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The hard part: Finding NORTH.
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Old 03-04-2015, 06:47 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wa8yxm View Post
The hard part: Finding NORTH.
Just look for moss on a nearby tree for North.
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