Portable antenna positioner apparatus and method

A method for utilizing a portable antenna positioner comprising:

• coupling an antenna with an elevation motor wherein said antenna comprises a centrally located pivot point and wherein said antenna is configured for rotation in elevation about said centrally located pivot point when moved by said elevation motor;
• coupling at least one positioning arm with said an elevation motor at a first end of said positioning arm;
• coupling said at least one positioning arm with an azimuth motor at a second end of said positioning arm wherein said azimuth motor is configured to rotate in azimuth;
• configuring said at least one positioning arm to fold into a stowed position through rotation of said at least one positioning arm at said second end of said positioning arm;
• coupling said azimuth motor with a positioner base;
• and,
• delivering said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm, said azimuth motor wherein said antenna may be stowed substantially parallel to said positioner base and substantially parallel with said positioning arm between said antenna and said positioner base through rotation of said antenna at said first end of said at least one positioning arm and through rotation of said at least one positioning arm at said second end.

A portable antenna positioner comprising:

• an antenna with a centrally located pivot point;
• an elevation motor coupled with said antenna wherein said antenna may rotate in elevation about said centrally located pivot point;
• at least one positioning arm coupled with said elevation motor at a first end of said positioning arm;
• an azimuth motor coupled with said at least one positioning arm at a second end of said positioning arm wherein said azimuth motor is configured to rotate in azimuth;
• said at least one positioning arm configured to fold into a stowed position through rotation of said at least one positioning arm at said second end of said positioning arm;
• a positioner base coupled with said azimuth motor wherein said positioner base comprises a thermally conductive element further coupled to electronic components located inside said positioner base wherein said positioner base dissipates heat from said electronic components;
• wherein said antenna may be stowed substantially parallel to said positioner base and substantially parallel with said positioning arm between said antenna and said positioner base through rotation of said antenna at said first end of said at least one positioning arm and through rotation of said at least one positioning arm at said second end;
• a computer configured to align said antenna to point at a satellite wherein said computer housed inside said positioner base;
• at least one receiver;
• at least one magnetometer;
• at least one inclinometer;
• and,
• said computer configured to utilize time and position information from said at least one GPS receiver, orientation information from said at least one magnetometer and declination information from said at least one inclinometer in order to align said antenna with said satellite.