California Digital Group 1292B Operating Manual - page 21
15. Determine look angles based upon your location and the location of the intended
satellite.
16. Orient the dish in the azimuth direction with the Silva compass by performing the
following steps.
a) Adjust the compass for the proper magnetic declination for the geographic location from
which you will be operating. (Refer to Sections E and H of the Silva compass manual for
details).
b) Turn the dial of the compass so that the desired azimuth look angle (Bearing) aligns with
the Index pointer white arrow on the compass. Refer to the Figure on the inside cover of the
Silva Type 15 Instruction Manual and Figure 12.
c) Place the compass on top of the dish, over the black line which has been etched into the
top edge of the upper dish segment as shown in Figure 2, View A-A. Place the compass on
the top of the dish such that you can see this black line through the central "window" of the
compass. Align the index pointer and luminous point of the compass with this black line as
shown in Figure 13. Note that the index point (and mirror) should be towards the "look"
direction of the reflector.
If the dish has been tilted back at a steep angle during coarse elevation adjustment it
becomes difficult to place the compass on top of the dish since the compass itself needs to
be fairly level in order to operate accurately. In this case you may either temporarily elevate
the dish back to a vertical position or you may utilize the sighting mirror and line feature of
the compass as described in the compass manual.
d) Turn the dish in azimuth until the magnetic needle of the compass aligns with the
orienting arrow. As you turn the dish the magnetic needle will continue to point to magnetic
north. By turning the dish you can "slide" the orienting arrow underneath the magnetic
needle until the orienting arrow "brackets" the magnetic needle.
This procedure should point the dish fairly closely in azimuth. The next step will sharpen
the elevation adjustment. Depending upon how level the ground is, elevation adjustments may
disturb the azimuth setting. In which case, it will be necessary to revisit step 16.
17. Perform fine elevation adjustments by rotating the entire elevation adjustment
assembly clockwise or counter-clockwise. Using a spectrum analyzer, or other means, observe
the received signal strength. Adjust the elevation and azimuth setting to maximize signal strength.
The azimuth orientation may be locked in place by gently tightening the six thumb screws on the
base of the trunion. These need only be tightened by hand in order to secure the azimuth
orientation.
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