Low cost indoor test facility and method for mobile satellite antennas

A test system and method for indoor testing of a mobile antenna terminal having a first antenna with a first aperture of a first size and, preferably, operable in a receive-only mode and/or a transmit and receive mode. The system uses a second antenna having a dual port feed and a reflector, the second antenna having a second aperture of a second size, which is two or more times the first size, and being operative to form a plane wave. The first antenna is mounted to a test platform that is positioned within the second aperture and is operative for rotating and tilting movement of the antenna to simulate movement on a vehicle. The test system uses a source of RF test signals and communications test equipment coupled to at least the first antenna, as well as a processor for determining a performance of the mobile antenna terminal.