Prepare before going on the roof
Note the target satellite name and its approximate azimuth and elevation for your location. Write down a few known active transponders with their frequencies and symbol rates. Having this information ready avoids unnecessary trips between the computer and the dish.
Connect and start the meter
Connect the cable from the LNB to the tuner, open the satellite TV software, and navigate to the signal meter or satellite configuration page. Select the satellite you want to align and choose an active transponder.
Coarse positioning
Set the dish elevation using the calculated angle for your location. Rotate the dish slowly in the horizontal plane while watching the signal meter. A strong peak indicates you are pointed near the satellite.
Fine adjustment
Once a signal appears, lock the azimuth by tightening the mount slightly. Adjust the elevation up and down in small increments to find the peak. Then repeat the azimuth adjustment. The goal is to maximize signal quality, not just signal strength.
Verify on multiple transponders
After locking the best position, check signal quality on at least two different transponders on the same satellite. If one transponder shows poor quality while another is fine, the dish may be slightly misaligned or pointed at a nearby satellite.
Secure and test
Tighten all mount bolts carefully, seal cable connections with self-amalgamating tape, and run a channel scan to verify that the alignment holds across the full satellite.