True South?

[LoneShark]

Ok,

According to USPS my zip code is fairly new (20136 - Bristow, VA). How can I find the true south for pointing my dish? I tried to input that information, but could not find the latitude and longitude. I did a google search and found the coordinates to be:

Latitude 38.72 & Longitude -77.54 (does that sound right?)

What satellite would I point to?

 

[Mr Tony]

I use this
http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/Satellite-Heading-Calculator.htm

for some reaosn, your zip doesn't log it. So I used the nearest town and got the numbers pretty much the same (within 1/2 a degree)

77.5...the closest is AMC5 at 79 so you'll have to move the motor first before aiming the dish

 

[brentb636]

77.5 W is probably right. There is no active satellite at 77 W but SBS 6 at 74 W has a strong channel on transponder 11741 H . That will do nicely to align your motor by fine-tuning the true south adjustment. It's already time for you to familiarize yourself with LyngSat, a big source of this type information. http://www.lyngsat.com/america.html is their Americas page.

Brent

[edit] Okay , Ice, you must have been practicing typing while I was looking at girls ! You're quicker than I . And you're right that AMC 5 is closer, but I'd rather watch Ohio News Network and I'm stickin' to my story.