Plan a multi-beam antenna system with multiple LNBs
A multi-LNB antenna can bring reception from several satellites to one installation point, reducing roof clutter and giving a receiver setup more flexibility than a single feed. The design is not just a matter of copying one satellite’s coordinates across several housings: each LNB defines a receive beam, and the reflector, feed positions and switching hardware all affect the result.
SatPointer, the free web-based tool operated by TotalSat Limited, uses Google Maps, orbital data and a chosen installation location to calculate pointing directions for reception, uplink, downlink and mobile-satellite links. Its satellite database adds beam coverage and estimated dish-size information. The method described here applies mainly to fixed reception; transmission needs a separate RF and licensing assessment.
Choose the orbit and beam architecture
Geostationary satellites appear fixed from an Australian site, making them practical candidates for separate feeds on one mount. Non-geostationary satellites travel across the sky, so their pointing requirements change with time. For a clearer distinction between the two, read GEO and non-GEO differences before deciding whether every beam can remain stationary.
A direct comparison highlights the operational differences:
| Design factor | Geostationary satellite | Non-geostationary satellite |
|---|---|---|
| Position in the sky | Effectively fixed for the site | Moves over time and may cross the sky |
| Pointing method | Stable azimuth, elevation and skew | Time-specific coordinates and possibly tracking |
| Multi-feed feasibility | Suits fixed feeds aimed at separate targets | Harder for passive feeds; often needs moving equipment |
| Dish-size check | Compare each beam footprint and dish estimate | Check steering, coverage and the footprint at the exact site |
Time stability is the central issue for a fixed multi-feed array. A non-geostationary target may require tracking, a steerable antenna or scheduled changes between satellites. Here, a beam means the receive pattern formed by one feed; a satellite operator’s regional spot beam is a different concept and reaches only its published footprint. Confirm that every desired signal intersects the site.
Build a pointing plan for every LNB
Begin with the services you expect to receive, not with a pile of LNBs. Record the satellite name, frequency band, polarisation, receiver and any transponder details supplied by the provider. Use SatPointer’s beam coverage and dish-size estimates to identify plausible targets, then verify the technical specifications independently. A Ku-band television feed should not be assumed to suit a Ka-band or proprietary service.
Enter the precise antenna position rather than relying only on a street address. Rooftops, rural properties and new developments can put the dish tens of metres from the map pin. SatPointer calculates azimuth, elevation and skew for every target; it cannot infer the mechanical offset of each feed. For an offset reflector, keep the mount as a common reference and translate the target directions into the correct dish tilt and LNB focal positions.
Give each feed a record sheet containing its target, expected pointing values, physical position, cable route and switch port. Photograph the assembly before securing it and label every connector. If the dish is later rotated or an LNB is moved, recalculate and retest the affected beams instead of assuming the old values still apply.
Match feeds to switching and receivers
Each LNB needs the correct bias, coaxial cable and receiver path. A DiSEqC switch can select one feed at a time, while a whole-band switch and an ordinary splitter serve different purposes. Confirm the IF range, connector types and switch commands supported by the receiver; low-band, high-band and wideband LNBs are not automatically interchangeable.
One reflector with several feeds is possible, but adjacent-satellite and cross-polarisation rejection can be harder than with separate dishes. Feed offsets, phase-centre differences, boom flex and imperfect alignment all contribute. Separate reflectors are usually easier to optimise and maintain, especially when targets have widely different azimuths. SatPointer’s pointing data should guide the geometry, not substitute for an RF performance check.
For general installation background, consult installation background resources alongside the equipment documentation. Check a switching matrix’s port count, current handling and bandwidth before using it. Unsuitable splitters or combiners can introduce loss, noise or overload, and the calculator cannot certify signal quality.
Plan for Australian conditions and permissions
Site access changes the design in Australian cities. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane terraces and apartment roofs may offer limited mounting angles, shared walls and strict access arrangements, while suburban backyards can place the dish among trees and extensions. Survey the full line of sight for every feed, including future growth that could obstruct the beam.
Hardware also has to survive the local climate. Coastal moisture calls for corrosion-resistant connectors and regular checks, Brisbane’s summer humidity and storms make sealing important, and northern Queensland requires preparation for high winds. Farms, mining sites and remote homes can involve long travel times and slow replacement-part deliveries, so keep spare feed hardware and plan maintenance around local access conditions.
The Australian market mixes conventional satellite television with proprietary systems. Optus and Foxtel installations use approved LNB and switch combinations, while services such as Starlink use different terminal architecture and should not be treated as interchangeable feeds. If the project includes transmitting, uplinking or rebroadcasting, check ACMA spectrum rules and any amateur or commercial licence conditions; a pointing calculation is not permission to radiate.
Use disciplined checks before and after installation
Start with a site survey and a safe access plan. Check mast stability, clearances from power lines, cable routes and the need for professional roof access, mains work or grounding. Record the reflector dimensions and mounting angle before adding any LNB, since every feed position depends on that common geometry.
For locations where an address pin is too coarse, the smartphone GPS field method can improve field accuracy. Keep the phone away from metal structures that can distort its location reading, and use the application as a reference rather than a substitute for a physical inclinometer.
Before installation
- Confirm exact coordinates, dish diameter, mounting clearance and unobstructed sightlines for every beam.
- Check each LNB’s frequency band, polarisation, feed geometry and compatible switch port.
- Verify cable lengths, connector types, weather sealing and grounding arrangements.
- Confirm permissions, roof access and safe separation from overhead services.
- Record the expected azimuth, elevation, skew and footprint for each LNB.
After connection
- Connect and bias one LNB at a time, then confirm that the switch selects the intended port.
- Measure signal strength and carrier-to-noise ratio on the intended satellite and transponder.
- Check adjacent-satellite and cross-polarisation rejection at each feed.
- Log the date, time, weather and receiver settings with every measurement.
- Record readings, photographs and adjustments before accepting the beam.
Test each beam independently with the receiver or a suitable signal meter. A locked receiver is not enough: a strong signal can still have poor carrier-to-noise ratio, and the wanted satellite may sit beside an interfering one. Capture the actual readings so an adjustment can be compared with the original pointing calculation.
Keep a dated installation record alongside each set of measurements so a later fault can be distinguished from an alignment or hardware problem.
Make the plan reusable and start the build
Embed the configurable SatPointer widget on a website, blog or forum so visitors can inspect pointing information for the selected location and satellites. Keep private site coordinates out of public examples, label the intended services and avoid presenting an interactive calculator as a guarantee of reception. The widget gives clients a useful reference between installation visits.
Keep a digital copy of the feed map, pointing values, test results and photographs after each adjustment. This becomes the handover record for an installer and a reference if another LNB is added later. For supporting case-study material, the guide on reverse video clips explains how to correct reversed footage before upload.
Open SatPointer, enter the site’s exact coordinates, select the first satellite and record its expected pointing values. Repeat the process for every planned feed, then commission one beam before adding the others. That sequence produces a traceable multi-LNB design instead of a collection of approximate dish settings.