Alignment device

An alignment method comprising the steps of:

• installing an alignment device onto a vehicle-mounted antenna loosely secured to a vehicle, the alignment device comprising a mounting plate, a laser attached to the mounting plate, and a level attached to the mounting plate;
• using the level to substantially align the antenna in a desired vertical orientation;
• using the laser to substantially align the antenna in a desired horizontal orientation;
• and
• tightening the vehicle-mounted antenna to the vehicle while substantially maintaining the antenna in both the desired vertical orientation and the desired horizontal orientation.

An alignment device for aligning an object relative to a fixture, said alignment device comprising:

• an orientation-indicating assembly attachable to the object, the orientation-indicating assembly comprising:
• a mounting plate;
• a plurality of positioners for positioning the object therebetween within the orientation-indicating assembly;
• an alignment laser secured to the mounting plate;
• and
• a level secured to the mounting plate;
• wherein the level indicates a vertical orientation of the object, and
• wherein the alignment laser indicates a horizontal orientation of the object.

An alignment device for aligning an antenna mounted to a vehicle according to a predetermined horizontal orientation and a predetermined vertical orientation, the alignment device comprising:

• an orientation-indicating assembly comprising:
• a mounting plate having a first and second side;
• a laser secured to the first side of the mounting plate;
• a digital level secured to the first side of the mounting plate;
• a plurality of positioners on the second side of the mounting plate for positioning the antenna within the orientation-indicating assembly;
• a suction mechanism for detachably securing the antenna to the orientation-indicating assembly, said suction mechanism having a suction cup mounted on the second side of the mounting plate, a venturi vacuum generator mounted on the first side of the mounting plate in fluid communication with the suction cup, and a toggle switch for switching the vacuum generator on and off;
• and
• at least one handle on the mounting plate;
• an adjustable frame operative in combination with said orientation-indicating assembly, said adjustable frame comprising:
• a plurality of sides defining a space therebetween, wherein at least one of said plurality of sides is moveable relative to the others such that the space has an adjustable size;
• and
• a plurality of adjustable stabilizers for at least temporarily stabilizing the antenna relative to the vehicle subsequent to alignment of the antenna in the predetermined horizontal and vertical orientations,
• wherein the predetermined horizontal orientation and the predetermined vertical orientation are defined by a thrust line of the vehicle.