Several times, in variety of threads, people have wondered if the building or trees opposite are obstructing the satellite signal. As a caravanner, I often find that the most picturesque sites & pitches involve trees & hills.
To check these obstructions I made a simple theodolite from a school protractor, a plumb-bob & a 1.5mm diameter screwdriver.
Method.
Find your Latitude/longitude from a map, Google Earth or a satnav.
From http://www.al-soft.com get the elevation to your satellite. (It also gives your compass bearing if you aren't just copying your neighbour's).
I have also used http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk but it seems to have a clickjacking problem at the moment ! For caravanning I carry a copy of Dave Sullivans excellent map of Astra 2 elevations across Europe.
Your elevation for Astra 2 should be about 25 to29 degrees in the UK.
Lets say yours was 28 deg. This is 28 deg from the 90 deg in the middle of the scale from 0 to 180 deg. Depending how which way you turn the protractor this will be either marked 118 deg or 62 deg. Drill a small hole at 118 or 62 just big enough to thread your cord attached to the plumb-bob. Tie off the cord with a thumb knot.
Suspend the protractor/plumb-bob, on the 1.5 mm screwdriver, through the hole at the place where all the angle lines converge. With the protractor next to the dish steady the bob & looking along the straight edge, anything in that direction will obscure the view of the satellite.
David
To check these obstructions I made a simple theodolite from a school protractor, a plumb-bob & a 1.5mm diameter screwdriver.
Method.
Find your Latitude/longitude from a map, Google Earth or a satnav.
From http://www.al-soft.com get the elevation to your satellite. (It also gives your compass bearing if you aren't just copying your neighbour's).
I have also used http://www.satelliteforcaravans.co.uk but it seems to have a clickjacking problem at the moment ! For caravanning I carry a copy of Dave Sullivans excellent map of Astra 2 elevations across Europe.
Your elevation for Astra 2 should be about 25 to29 degrees in the UK.
Lets say yours was 28 deg. This is 28 deg from the 90 deg in the middle of the scale from 0 to 180 deg. Depending how which way you turn the protractor this will be either marked 118 deg or 62 deg. Drill a small hole at 118 or 62 just big enough to thread your cord attached to the plumb-bob. Tie off the cord with a thumb knot.
Suspend the protractor/plumb-bob, on the 1.5 mm screwdriver, through the hole at the place where all the angle lines converge. With the protractor next to the dish steady the bob & looking along the straight edge, anything in that direction will obscure the view of the satellite.
David
