Programs for setting up satellite dishes: an overview of the best

When setting up
satellite TV , it is important to accurately determine the direction of the antenna. Fine tuning will allow you to receive a stable and high-quality signal. To watch satellite channels, the setting must be made with little or no error.

In practice, the wizard for installing and
configuring satellite televisionuses specialized equipment for this setting. However, it is not always possible to resort to the services of appropriate specialists. The program for a smartphone or computer will allow you to configure satellite TV yourself. Such applications will help you find the direction to the desired satellite and tell you how to make the necessary adjustment if it changes. Accuracy is affected by calculation errors and magnetic fields of instruments in close proximity.

What types of programs exist

The applications used to set up satellite equipment are designed to accurately indicate the direction to the satellite. If the antenna is installed in the right direction, then the user is guaranteed a high-quality picture. Various types of programs provide adjustments for the use of different types of antennas. Some applications work only with the most common plate designs –
offset and direct focus . However, there are programs that work with more complex types of antennas. In most cases, only one signal source is tuned in, but there are programs that allow you to simultaneously tune in to several satellites.

Programs for tuning antennas

Fine-tuning can be done using the user’s smartphone or from a computer, laptop. To do this, you need to download and install one of the specialized programs.

Program for setting up a satellite dish using a computer

To configure satellite equipment, you can use the Fast Satfinder program.
The program can be downloaded from the link https://www.fastsatfinder.com/download.html. There are only minimum requirements to install and run. To work, you will need 256 megabytes of RAM, as well as the operating system Windows XP or later. To configure, you need to connect a satellite dish to a computer or laptop through an appropriate converter.

The program is paid, but during the first seven days the user can use it for free.

The setting is carried out as follows:

1. Before starting work, the necessary equipment must be connected. After starting the application, a list of available devices will be displayed in the corresponding section. You need to select the one you want and click.
2. The program will automatically search for available satellites.
3. You need to select a satellite, a transponder and everything you need to work. The exact value of the corresponding parameters will appear on the screen.

The free version allows you to fully configure the equipment. In a paid user, you can additionally get the ability to remotely control equipment.

Satfinder – a program for setting up a satellite TV antenna for Android

One of the most famous programs of this kind is
SatFinder . It allows you to accurately determine the direction and angle of the antenna to receive a high-quality signal from the satellite. When using it, you can use the following functionality:

1. Here is a list of all satellites that are broadcasting television.
2. A list of channels is available from which you can choose the appropriate ones.
3. During the tuning process, the results obtained can be displayed numerically or shown on a map.
4. You can see the azimuth of the direction to the desired satellite.
5. Good speed even on low-power gadgets.
6. The height and angle of the converter setting will be specified using the data

To download the application, you need to follow these steps:

1. Go to Google Play.
2. In the search bar, type the name of the program “SatFinder”.
3. In the list of search results, you need to go to the program page.
4. You have to click on the “Install” button. After that, the program will be downloaded to the smartphone and installed.

You can download the program from a direct link to Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.esys.satfinder This program does not have a translation of the interface into Russian, but the interface is simple enough to in order to use it correctly. It requires Android version 4.0 or newer to work. To use the application, the smartphone must have: Internet access, a built-in compass, connected GPS, a working camera. If any of the above is missing, then some functions of the program will not work.

Dishpointer is another handy cymbal setting app

Dishpointer is a program similar in functionality to SatFinder. One of its advantages is the high accuracy of determining the position of satellites. When determining the necessary data, it is able to use not only the GPS signal, but also the data of mobile operators.
Although the latter can help in some cases, the data obtained with them will be less accurate. As a disadvantage, the generally paid and relatively high cost of the program can be considered. You can download the Dishpointer program for setting up a satellite dish for free at https://apkpure.com/en/satellite-finder-dishpointer-pro/satfinder.satellitedish.apps.satdetector.

Multifeed for setting up multifeed for offset and direct focus satellite dishes

The Multifeed application is able to work with satellite antenna models of non-standard configurations. This feature is rarely found in such programs. The configuration process is based only on the data received by the GPS gadget. To obtain information, there is no need for a video camera on the gadget. This makes it possible to configure even on fairly old smartphones.
With this program, you can tune one antenna to several satellites. The program performs configuration using special principles of operation, which makes it a little unusual for users. You can download the program at https://trashbox.ru/topics/18034/multifid-2.1. The disadvantage of the program is a rather complicated and cumbersome interface. To successfully work with the application, you need to understand its work well. The program is paid, but the price can be considered as moderate. Application for setting up satellite dishes for a smartphone: https://youtu.be/AKI6AhCLS4I

How to set up a satellite dish using an iPhone

There is a version of the famous SatFinder program that can be used on the iPhone (https://apps.apple.com/fr/app/satfinder/id397993104).

This tool is available in the AppStore. It can be found using the search by specifying the name of the application. In terms of its functionality, it does not differ in basic issues from the version that was created for Android smartphones.

How to set up a signal using the example of one popular program

Working with the SatFinder program is carried out as follows:

1. After launch, you will be asked for permission to access GPS data, which will need to be answered in the affirmative. The signal must be strong enough for the program to accurately determine the location coordinates. In some cases, this will require leaving the building to the street.

   

2. Click on the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen. By typing the name of the desired one, you need to start the search.

3. The program will automatically display the required azimuth and tilt angle. The direction to the satellite will be indicated on the map as a red line. The green line will indicate the direction of the configured equipment. If they match, it means that the setup is done.

The user must check the received direction and set the antenna as required. The map can also be opened by clicking on the book icon. For convenience, it can be rotated in a more convenient way. Details on setting up equipment through the SatFinder application interface: Satfinder
Dish Setting There are several sections in the main menu of the program that are intended for the following:

1. If you go to “Show AR” , then the direction to the satellite will be combined with the camera. This will help you accurately see the desired direction and make sure that there are no obstacles to receiving the signal.
2. The “Geocoder” option makes it possible to obtain the data necessary for setting up at another point. Not where the user is currently located. To do this, open Google maps and make a long press on the point for which you want to get information.
3. “Settings” allows you to change some characteristics of the program. For example, you can make the map always point north up on the screen.
4. This program also has a paid version. In order to go to it, you need to open the section “Go Pro” .
5. In “Channels” the user can go to sites where lists of satellites that broadcast are provided.

Since the program is delivered in English, in the “Help” section you can find a description of the program in this language.

Help section

The user can add his own data to the official lists of satellites. Custom lists can be created as text files, in which each line consists of code and coordinates separated by commas. Application for setting up MTS satellite dishes: https://youtu.be/rkd9I2do3fI Another popular program for installing and configuring satellite dishes Satellite Antenna Alignment (download the latest version installation file for free at https://satellite-antenna-alignment.ru. uptodown.com/windows/download):

Questions and answers

Question: Can the program be more effective than the specialized equipment used by professional tuners? Answer: No, because it requires certain hardware capabilities that are not available in smartphones or computers.
Question: Why do we need programs for setting up satellite television? Answer: They indicate the exact direction of the satellite that is broadcasting. To do this, you need to know the azimuth and angle of inclination.
Question: How precisely should the antenna be tuned? Answer: This should be done as precisely as possible. A deviation of just one or two millimeters (and in fact a degree) excludes obtaining a high-quality picture.