I am new to the forum, don't have any experience with Arduino, and posted this same question on another forum with no response. After searching I haven't found answers to my question either. I have a standard Dish Network dish mounted on a RCA rotator (http://www.lowes.com/pd/RCA-Wire-Not-Included-Digital-Display-Antenna-Rotator-Includes-Remote/1000002554) on a boat. It works okay on calm days at the dock, but when it is windy the boat sways and the dish constantly loses signal. I would like to be able to automatically control the rotator to keep the dish pointed at the same azimuth as the boat sways back and forth. I believe http://www.track-it-tv.com uses the same concept. Is it possible and how hard would it be for a non programmer to install a digital compass to control a tv rotator. Thanks in advance.
Its certainly do-able but possibly slightly advanced for a first time project.
With care I cant see any problems.
Radio Hams have a few Arduinos controlling rotators so adding a Compass module to it and comparing the output to the required position should be reasonably simple.
I would check out what the radio hams are doing and see if any have included compass bearing control for days when high winds may swing an antenna around a little.
The digital compass part should be straightforward.
Controlling the dish rotation mechanism depends on a knowledge of how your particular mechanism can be interfaced with a microprocessor. Do you have a datsheet that explains how to do that? can you post a link to it?
...R
Its a 3 wire type so usually that's GROUND, Fwd (Rotate left), and REV (Rotate Right). (maybe last two swap).
Pretty common for most cheaper rotator's and often usable with dual relays or a single good multi pole relay.
Just have to make sure the centre pin breaks first before it changes over (Centre OFF)
Once position is achieved voltage drops and brake engages to hold position so you would have to allow a little overlap in positioning otherwise it will twitch a lot and wear our the brake.
basic manual is HERE
(EDIT)
These are generally NOT 360 degrees rotators and do tend to incorporate end stops (limit switches usually) so if your boat is close to an end stop when at anchor you may see loss of signal issues so might also want to consider a masthead pre-amp (make that decision before buying the control cable as you might want a couple of extra cores to supply the voltage to the pre-amp)
You may have to also deploy a sea anchor (which would be my first choice anyway) That last bit of advice comes from my missus who used to sail quite a lot.
Hi,
Before even thinking about what you want to control it with, can the rotator move fast enough to track while the boat is swaying?
Are you aware of the power consumption with the system working in live mode?
Is the rotator designed for continuous operation?
Tom.... 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I am sure this project would be way over my head since I don't have any experience with this type of stuff.
It is the three wire type so I assume power, cw, and ccw control. It isn't a 360 degree rotator, so I would have to install the dish to the mast so that wouldn't be an issue.
I think the rotator is fast enough to track the boat while swaying. It will probably only move a few degrees either way while at the dock. Just enough to lose signal at the worst time. I would only have to have power to it while watching tv, which I wouldn't think would over power the system.