Determine the source of the rays to be collected by the parabolic dish. In the case of the satellite, the source is simply any portion of the sky where the satellite resides. This information is provided by the satellite company in terms such as "southwestern skies."
Mount the parabolic dish so the focus of the dish points directly toward the source. For example, if the dish is to collect light rays for solar power application, the disk should be pointed directly at the sun.
Point the laser pointer or flashlight directly at the parabolic dish so that the light rays hit the parabolic dish at the same angle as the rays from the source. If the reflected light from the laser pointer or flashlight reflect from the dish and onto the backside of the focus -- most commonly a small electronic collector -- then the parabolic dish is properly mounted.