diff --git a/src/Config.zig b/src/Config.zig
index 64867a6..47e9dde 100644
--- a/src/Config.zig
+++ b/src/Config.zig
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ controller: ControllerConfig = .{
     .parking_posture = .{ .azimuth = 180, .elevation = 90 },
     .angle_tolerance = .{ .azimuth = 1, .elevation = 1 },
     .angle_offset = .{ .azimuth = 0, .elevation = 0 },
+    // this is a symmetric mask, so the minimum usable elevation is elevation_mask deg
+    // and the maximum usable elevation is 180 - elevation_mask deg
+    .elevation_mask = 0.0,
 },
 
 pub const VoltAngle = struct { voltage: f64, angle: f64 };
@@ -115,6 +118,7 @@ const ControllerConfig = struct {
     parking_posture: AzEl,
     angle_tolerance: AzEl,
     angle_offset: AzEl,
+    elevation_mask: f64,
 
     const OutPair = struct {
         increase: lj.DigitalOutputChannel,
diff --git a/src/LabjackYaesu.zig b/src/LabjackYaesu.zig
index 34f5ab7..b46dab3 100644
--- a/src/LabjackYaesu.zig
+++ b/src/LabjackYaesu.zig
@@ -40,7 +40,13 @@ pub fn setTarget(self: LabjackYaesu, target: AzEl) void {
     defer self.lock.unlock();
 
     const controller = @constCast(self.controller);
-    controller.target = target;
+    controller.target = .{
+        .azimuth = target.azimuth,
+        .elevation = @min(
+            @max(target.elevation, config.controller.elevation_mask),
+            180.0 - config.controller.elevation_mask,
+        ),
+    };
     controller.requested_state = .running;
 }