Aiming a DirecTV or DISH dish
US satellite TV comes from geostationary satellites above the equator, so from the continental US they're all in the southern sky. DirecTV's main slot is 101°W, with 99°W and 103°W carrying HD and 4K on its multi-satellite "Slimline" dishes. DISH uses 110°W, 119°W and 129°W in the west, and 61.5°W and 72.7°W in the east. Galaxy 19 at 97°W is the most popular free-to-air satellite. Set the dish to the elevation shown using the scale on its mount, point it along the compass heading, then sweep slowly while watching the signal meter on your receiver.
True north, magnetic north and the compass heading
Azimuth is measured from true north, but a compass points to magnetic north, and across the US the difference is large: about 10° to 15° west in New England and 10° to 15° east in the Pacific Northwest. Use the compass heading shown, which corrects for your location using the World Magnetic Model. Keep the compass away from the metal dish, mast and vehicles while you take the reading.
Skew on multi-satellite dishes
DirecTV and DISH dishes that receive several satellites at once have a skew or tilt adjustment on the LNB assembly or mast, often marked on a scale. The skew shown is the angle from vertical for the satellite you chose. Providers publish their own skew settings for multi-satellite dishes, which take the whole cluster into account, so use those if your installation guide gives them, and fine-tune for the best signal.
Clear line of sight
Satellite signals at 12 GHz and above are blocked by trees, buildings and even heavy wet foliage. The clearance figure shows how much taller than the dish an obstacle can be at the distance you enter, in the direction the dish points. Leaves in summer can block a signal that was fine in winter, so allow some margin.
Questions
What direction should my DirecTV dish point?
South-west across most of the US. From Kansas City, 101°W is at an azimuth of about 190° true and an elevation of about 44°. Enter your ZIP code for exact figures.
What elevation should my DISH dish be?
It depends on the satellite and where you live, typically 30° to 50° across the continental US. Enter your ZIP code above for your exact figure.
Why is my compass heading different from the azimuth?
Azimuth is from true north and a compass points to magnetic north. The difference across the US is up to about 15°, so use the compass heading shown.
Can I get satellite TV in Alaska or Hawaii?
Yes, but the satellites are low on the horizon, so you need a larger dish and a clear view. Enter your location to check the elevation.