TracVision TV5 User’s Guide
11
Getting Started
Receiving Satellite TV Signals
Television satellites are located in fixed positions above the Earth’s
equator and beam TV signals down to the earth within certain regions
that they serve. Therefore, to receive TV signals from a given satellite,
you must be located within that satellite’s unique coverage area, also
known as its “footprint.” To view the latest TracVision satellite
coverage maps, visit KVH’s website at www.kvh.com/footprint.
Figure 2-1 Example of a Satellite Footprint
The size of the antenna makes a big difference in determining which
satellites it can track and where. Larger antennas have the following
advantages over smaller models:
• Collects more signal: As you move further away from the
center of a satellite footprint, the power level, referred to as
EIRP (effective isotropic radiated power), gradually fades,
just like a radio station. Larger antennas can pull in more of
the weak signal, so they can track a satellite at a lower EIRP
than smaller antennas.
• Narrower beamwidth: Some satellites are very close
together in the sky, separated by only a few degrees in
longitude. Larger antennas receive signals within a
narrower beam, reducing the chance of interference caused
by transmissions from adjacent satellites.
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