Want to set elevation, no horizon

[Artist 2004]

As I understand it elevation is the angle between the axis of the dish and the horizon. Most of us don't have a view of the horizon, but all of us have a fishing line with a weight on the end (oh come on, you know you have somewhere). So how do you convert between elevation and angle between the dish axis and vertical?

I've got two dishes on my roof currently bringing in hotbird and turksat loud and clear. Elevation figures for my location are about 42 and 41 degrees, but the angle between horizontal and the axes of these dishes (as measured with aforementioned scientific equipment) is no more than 20 degrees. I'm confused.

 

[rolfw]

That's because the dishes are offset, when the dish face appears to be vertical, it is already looking up at an angle of more than 20 degrees. See This post

 

[Artist 2004]

That's because the dishes are offset, when the dish face appears to be vertical, it is already looking up at an angle of more than 20 degrees. See This post

Oh bum. And just when I was beginning to think that I knew what I was doing!
Thanks for the link, now to a bit of studying before climbing yet again on to the roof.