Satsig or Dishpointer?

[scarecrovv]

Anyone else have different numbers from these sites? For my polar mount dishpointer gives me an az of 198.7 an axis of 47.6 (my latitude) and a declination of 7.1. Satsig gives me an az of 201.56 axis of 48.33 and declination of 6.39. Who should I believe? There are 3 degrees difference in the az. Is that a lot?

 

[jorgek]

3 degrees on my dish means I miss the sat altogether. Probably neither site is bang on. Just like GPS. Its gets you real close. You can always split the difference.

 

[jorgek]

Here's another site you can try.
http://www.satlex.de/en/azel_calc.html

I like it cause it depicts a dish set to the correct dish elevation.

 

[FaT Air]

At the same time, I think 'perfectly performing' GPS 'smart bombs' are + 3 meters.

 

[bpalone]

For what it is worth, I just re-did my 8' C-Band using Satsig numbers. I did not touch my true south adjustment, just the elevation and declination. When done, I was getting both ends of the arc, where before I was not. Now, I'm not perfect either, as I can't get the mux on 137, but can get the radio stuff on 139, and during the day I basically lose the Luken channels and may or may not get the PA cable channel to the east during the day too. So, I still need to do some tweaking.

I had the same thought as you, when I looked at the numbers. Then, thought, what the hey, give it a try, I can always go back to the latitude and larger declination. We also have to remember, that we are shooting for an optimum setting, because unless we have everything exactly perfect, there is no way we can get maximum performance out of a polar mount.

My $0.02 worth.

 

[scarecrovv]

Yeah I split the difference and fine tuned between a couple of satellites. Getting most of my western satellites so far and will try fine tuning and the eastern sats when I get the time. Soooooo busy at work now. Thanks all.