using a pointing guide called the Equatorial Satellite
Antenna Pointing Guide. This guide is normally
available through the Navy Supply System.
The antenna pointing guide is a clear plastic
overlay, which slides across a stationary map. It
indicates AZ and EL angles in degrees to the satellite.
The values obtained are useful to the operator in setting
up the antenna control unit of a satellite system.
To use the guide, follow these procedures:
Center the overlay directly over the desired
satellite position on the stationary map.
Mark the latitude and longitude of the ship on the
plastic antenna pointing guide with a grease
pencil.
Determine the approximate azimuth angle from
the ship to the satellite.
Locate the closest dotted line radiating outward
from the center of the graph on the overlay in
relation to the grease dot representing the ship’s
location. This dotted line represents degrees of
azimuth as printed on the end of the line. Some
approximation will be required for ship positions
not falling on the dotted line.
Determine the degrees of elevation by locating
the solid concentric line closest to the ship’s
marked position. Again, approximation will be
required for positions not falling directly on the
solid elevation line. Degrees of elevation are
marked on each concentric line.
Example: Assume that your ship is located at
30° north and 70° west. You want to access
FLTSAT 8 at 23° west. When we apply the
procedures discussed above, we can see the
example indicates an azimuth value of 115° and
an elevation angle of 30°.
TYPES OF SATELLITES
Three types of communications satellites are in use
by the U.S. Navy today. They are GAPFILLER, Fleet
Satellite Communication (FLTSATCOM), and Leased
Figure 2-3.—Equatorial Satellite Antenna Pointing Guide.
2-3
