The Antenna Pointing Guide determines the required azimuth and elevation angles to point an antenna at a geostationary satellite. It applies to uplink DCP antennas and receive site (DRGS) parabolic antennas. The following are needed:

1. Subtract the site longitude from the satellite longitude to determine the relative ground longitude. If the result is negative, the site is West of the satellite. Remember this for step 3.

Example: The satellite is positioned at 135 deg. longitude, and a site is located at 77 deg. longitude, 39 deg. latitude, then 135 - 77 = 58 degrees relative longitude.

2. Look at the nomogram and find the position that corresponds to the relative longitude and the site latitude. From this intersection, read the “A” curves for azimuth and read the “e” curves for elevation.

Example: Find the point on the nomogram that corresponds to 58 degrees relative longitude (computed in step 1) and 39 degrees latitude. The values for the elevation and azimuth are:
e = 16 deg
A = 68 deg

3. Identify what quadrant the site is located in relative to the satellite and use the chart to adjust the Azimuth

The site is in the NE of the satellite because the latitude is North and the site is East of the satellite. Therefore, add 180 degrees to the “A” number to obtain the final azimuth from true North.

The final values are: e = 16 deg Az = 248 deg

If you use a compass for pointing the antenna, take into account the local site magnetic variation from true north. This value will vary by location of the site. Be careful when using a compass near metal structures or objects as the readings may be inaccurate causing poor antenna pointing.