There are several considerations in finding the right location to mount your FTA satellite dish.  The most important is making sure that the dish will be able to see the satellites you want to receive FTA channels from.

Use our FTA channel list to determine which satellites you want. Then go to a satellite angle calculator, select the satellite, enter your location, and see what details come up.  Here’s how to read the results:

  • Elevation is the angle that the dish needs to point into the sky.  For example, 45 degrees is halfway between pointing straight across the ground and straight up from the ground.
  • Azimuth is the compass direction the dish needs to point.  For example, due south is 180, southeast is 135.
  • Skew is the direction to tilt the LNB on its arm. Used for stationary dishes.
  • Magnetic declination is the amount to add or subtract from your compass reading to reflect the fact that true north is not the same as magnetic north.

Determine the apparent compass direction by adjusting the azimuth by the magnetic declination factor as needed. Then go look to see whether there are any obstacles in that direction.  If you plan to use a motorized dish, repeat this step for each direction you need.

If you want to install a motor to point a single dish at multiple satellites, verify that your chosen spot is not blocked in any of the directions you need.

Homeowners/Neighborhood Associations may not restrict you from erecting a dish less than one meter wide (about 39 inches).  Even if a contract or covenant forbids them, the Federal Communication Commission’s rules make those portions of the contract unenforceable.  With rare exceptions for historic districts, all that an association can legally do is require you to place the antenna in the least obtrusive place that still allows for reception.

Condo/Apartment Residents may erect the same small (less than 39 inches) dish regardless of contracts to the contrary, but only in “exclusive use” areas such as private balconies.  Residents may be restricted from attaching the dish to permanent structures.  In such cases, tripods or weighted bases can be used to keep the dish steady.

Weather is one last consideration.  It’s much easier to wipe snow off a dish if you can reach it without a ladder.