I'm a little confused. I'm a technical guy, but this is the first FTA system I've had to install. We're going to use the old Direct TV dish, which is pointed toward thier bird currently. I'm trying to find the true south satellite, and having some issues. I found the instructions by invitro fairly simple, however when I goto step 4 the bird that is true south is not listed for me, and that is where the confusion starts.
According to the NOAA page, my Longitude is 83.280438. This would mean that AMC 16 or Brasilsat B3 would be the closest true south birds, with 82.1°W and 84.0°W respectively. Here is some basic info:
My zip: 48166
Reciever: Pansat 2500A
Motor: PM900
Dish: Direct TV 18"
Latitude: 41.976582 N
Longitude: 83.280438 W
I'm also not sure how the Magnetic Deviation was calculated at 15.5 either, the NOAA site says: Declination = 6° 47' W changing by 0° 2' W/year
Can anyone spread some light on this? I think I'm starting to understand it, but I get the impression that finding true south is important, and would like to get it right the first time. I'm trying to help a friend install this, he does alot for me and has no idea what he's doing. He's talked about paying someone to do it, but I'd like to save him that money. If anyone has any suggestions, please remember to be kind, I'm a newbie! LOL
Tim