Dish alignment

Installing the antenna on the support frame
 

Step 3.     VSAT Equipment mounting

Building the antenna is time consuming, depending upon its size it may take from one day to three days. The larger antennas may need the help of a crane to position them on the mounting supports.  The bolts that control the antenna position should be left loose to enable final alignment with the satellite.

Typically the transceiver is mounted on the antenna support frame, with the IF cables being connected back into the building where the modem and Internet routers are housed.

All items of equipment should be powered via a UPS to prevent damage in the event of power cuts.

Alignment of the antenna

Step 4.   Antenna Alignment

An experienced engineer using a spectrum analyzer best performs this task. The satellites are located a few degrees apart, finding the target satellite is a very difficult task. A professional installer will find a satellite in a matter of a few hours. Installers with less experience can take weeks of frustrating effort before getting the correct alignment.

The final step in alignment is the Peak and Pole procedure with the satellite operations center. They will insist on correct alignment of the antenna and the polarizer in order to insure that the antenna is not interfering with adjacent satellites or with other poles on the same satellite.

Step 5.    Beginning Service.

On the circuit commencement date, the duty engineers at Standard set-up a conference call between the satellite operator and the client, in order to fully activate the link.  Each side sends up a test transmission at the approved frequencies. The satellite operator measures the strength of signals and requests any power adjustments that may be required.

When both sides have achieved signal lock and the signal levels are running at the correct level, the satellite operator gives approval for commencement of service. The final step is the connection of the data port at Standard to the Internet routers to enable the client to begin voice or Internet services.

Back to the first two steps 1, 2 of VSAT installation