How to use SatPointer to align a VSAT dish in Australia
SatPointer is a free, web-based dish-alignment and direction-analysis application operated by TotalSat Limited. It combines Google Maps, satellite orbital data and a selected installation position to produce pointing directions for reception, downlink, uplink and mobile satellite links. It gives installers a dependable starting point rather than a guess based on an old compass reading.
For a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), entering a postcode is only the start. The dish must face the correct satellite with the required feed rotation, sit on a rigid mount and achieve the lock level specified by the network operator. SatPointer handles the geometry; the installer verifies it at the dish.
Understand the pointing values
A VSAT is judged by three linked values. Azimuth is the horizontal bearing, elevation is height above the true horizon, and skew is the rotation needed to align a linearly polarised feed with the satellite. SatPointer calculates these values for the selected link.
| Pointing value | SatPointer calculation | Field verification |
|---|---|---|
| Azimuth | Bearing clockwise from true north | Calibrated compass or auto-acquisition controller |
| Elevation | Angle above the true horizon | Inclinometer and clear-sky check |
| Skew or roll | Feed rotation for the selected polarisation | Feed labels, service manual and modem lock |
| Beam and footprint | Coverage region and estimated dish aperture | Provider footprint, terminal specification and service entitlement |
SatPointer’s satellite data source and Google Maps position work together to produce the direction. This is a geometric prediction, not proof that the pad has a clear line of sight. Trees, rooftop plant, nearby towers and the mast itself can block the signal, so inspect the physical route before mounting.
Use the units shown consistently: degrees for angles and compass points only as a cross-check. Record the initial calculation before disturbing the installation, then treat lock-acquisition adjustments as a separate set of final values.
Prepare the Australian installation site
Begin with the sky view. From Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, many geostationary communication satellites sit toward the northern or north-eastern horizon. High-rise apartments and established trees matter in Sydney and Melbourne, while coastal glare around Perth can affect the survey. Alice Springs and other inland sites may have a clearer horizon but more difficult logistics.
Match the installation to local conditions. Salt-laden air near Sydney and coastal Queensland, ultraviolet exposure in central Australia, dust around Alice Springs and mining sites, and cyclone exposure in northern Australia call for sealed connectors, suitable galvanised hardware and a mount rated for the site. Roof work also needs safe access, waterproofing and a grounding plan.
Check the legal and market side before ordering. Australian buyers may compare consumer low-Earth-orbit services such as Starlink with enterprise geostationary VSAT used by mining, maritime and backhaul operations; their hardware, latency and support differ. Imported terminals may require Australian Customs clearance and GST, while applicable radio equipment needs appropriate ACMA compliance. SatPointer’s remote-area VSAT guidance explains why local access, spare parts and installer availability matter as much as the pointing calculation.
Enter the location and choose the satellite
Use the exact pad rather than the postal suburb. In SatPointer, place the map marker on the proposed mounting point or enter surveyed coordinates. A 20-metre position error can move the required bearing noticeably around a geostationary satellite. Save the latitude and longitude in decimal degrees, and record ground elevation for a hill, roof or tank.
Select the actual satellite named in the terminal and service plan. SatPointer’s satellite database includes beam-coverage information and estimated dish-size guidance for comparison with the operator’s footprint and modem sensitivity. A larger aperture may improve margin, but feed quality, interference and operator limits also affect the result.
Confirm the footprint, gateway and service before using a community shortcut. Online reports can identify access constraints, yet platform rankings do not prove RF performance. A review of VK rating methodology shows how an account metric can be mistaken for operational evidence; the provider’s current beam map and terminal settings are the reliable references for dish size, frequency and authorised channels.
Set azimuth, elevation and skew
Set the azimuth first. Read it as a true bearing: 000° is north, 090° is east, 180° is south and 270° is west. A handheld compass displays a magnetic bearing, so check current magnetic declination for the site instead of applying a remembered offset. Sydney, Perth and Alice Springs have different declination values, and a few degrees can exceed a narrow VSAT beam’s lock tolerance.
Establish elevation against a level horizon, not the roof slope. Mark the calculated angle, then sight along the dish rim with an inclinometer or phone inclinometer. The dish must clear its mounting structure and nearby obstructions along the path to the satellite. At high elevation, mast movement can shift the apparent line of sight, so tighten the mount before fine adjustment.
Apply the displayed skew or roll only where the service uses linear polarisation and the terminal manual calls for it. Match the feed-arm or LNB markings to the network specification, with the polarisation arrow aimed as stated. Fit the dish and feed loosely, preserve the calculated orientation and leave room for final movement during lock acquisition. For circularly polarised systems, follow the operator’s procedure instead.
Establish the signal path
Connect the intended feed, LNB or BUC and route the specified cable with the required service loop and strain relief. Keep cables away from sharp edges, moving parts and shared earth paths that could introduce noise. Check continuity, connector seals and grounding before applying power. The listed dish aperture is guidance, not a substitute for matching the terminal to the operator’s engineering specification.
Begin with downlink verification. Check the modem’s lock indicator and use the controller, spectrum analyser or handheld meter specified by the network to read carrier level, C/N or Eb/N0. Adjust one value at a time across azimuth and elevation, allowing the receiver to settle after each move. If lock is stable, record the readings before changing skew, separating feed errors from pointing errors.
Treat uplink as a separately authorised operation. Follow the controller’s auto-acquisition routine, which may deliberately move the dish while searching for the carrier. Never transmit an unapproved carrier, and do not adjust a live BUC without the operator’s instructions. Uplink alignment may require tighter aiming because emissions and power limits are tightly controlled.
For installations carrying CCTV or 4K contribution feeds, distinguish transport quality from media quality. Alignment determines whether the VSAT has stable capacity, while codec and workflow choices determine how that capacity becomes usable video. The related 4K transcoding guidance is useful when monitoring a downlink whose picture quality changes under load.
Lock in the result and keep it aligned
Save the final azimuth, elevation, skew, satellite, polarisation and a physical photo with the terminal serial number. A handover record lets another technician reproduce the setup, while a marked azimuth on the mount gives a reference if the dish moves. For rooftop and remote installations, photograph the cable path, grounding points and dish orientation from several angles.
Add a check after severe wind, lightning, a mast replacement or equipment change. In northern Australia, inspect for cyclone damage and water ingress; in dry inland areas, clear dust from vents and connectors without abrading the dish. Recheck alignment when a terminal serves a different satellite or the provider changes its beam or gateway configuration. SatPointer’s customizable widget can place the pointing tool in a workshop site or customer portal for repeatable jobs.
Open SatPointer now, create the installation profile and calculate the direction before dispatching the installer. Carry the values to the dish, verify them against the terminal readout and save the confirmed settings as the site baseline. A documented, provider-approved pointing profile is the most useful result a dish-alignment calculation can produce.