My SAT-playground

[Piltdownpaul]

Now thats dedication!

 

[RimaNTSS]

Good news (or maybe bad, I do not know): Got message that I can get this 4,6m Andrews PFA antenna free of charge. Of course, removal and transportation coasts are mine.

 

[Captain Jack]

I honestly don't see where you're going to put it. Also, ask yourself what you would gain from such a massive antenna that you don't already get from your existing army of metal. There's Astra 1N/2F/2E UK beam I suppose but is it really worth it? Would you also not need some assistance in setting it up? A crane perhaps?

 

[hairybadger]

I honestly don't see where you're going to put it. Also, ask yourself what you would gain from such a massive antenna that you don't already get from your existing army of metal. There's Astra 1N/2F/2E UK beam I suppose but is it really worth it? Would you also not need some assistance in setting it up? A crane perhaps?

Am idly wondering how much concrete it would need to be set into......

 

[RimaNTSS]

Place for installation is not real problem, it is, may be not so perfect and will not cover all arc, but still could be 90*E-30*W. Of course, that would be lots of concrete (some 5-7 cubic meters). Yes, by now, 28,2*E is my main target, but also weak beams from another satellites could be interesting to get. For sure, it is impossible to do alone. Will need help of friends and professionals. Crane, concrete, transportation, at the end is question of money. I still have choice to say that I will not take it. But, if I take than this year's task would be disassemble, move and store everything in the garage, and after some time plan installation (in years to come). Perhaps this is unique possibility for me to get such a monster, may be once in a life time. So why not to try?

 

[RimaNTSS]

You will not believe, but today I picked up another 1,8m aluminum PFA (I think it is Polish MABO). Seller contacted me and said last chance or he will garbage it. I could not resist and could not let ruin such a nice dish. Final price was about 30 bucks. Seems that antenna was used as a target to shoot from some kind of pneumatic weapon (shooter was very bad, dispersion is too high ({}) ) . I've counted at least 15 places where it was hit, however scars are not so deep. Will probably use hammer from behind to fix them. There is almost no paint left on surface and all nuts and bolts are rusted and looking ugly. Will change them to INOX. There are also 18' actuator, Ku and C band LNBs in the set.

 

[Piltdownpaul]

You certainly are a dish magnet!!! You'd need a very secluded large garden to get away with your set up over here Rima.

 

[sonnetpete]

Nice studded tyres in storage as well Rima.....

 

[RimaNTSS]

Did not really need, but anyway got plastic square-shaped 90cm antenna with 2 LNBs on. Price was only 10 bucks, so, why not. (-|-) Dismounted plastic, washed it and gave a little swing :-shh I like those antennas, they are very light, of course - plastic.

 

[Captain Jack]

Interesting dish - like a Penta!

 

[RimaNTSS]

Before going to the beach spent some time on my new 180cm aluminum PFA. All the screws were so rusted that instead of unscrewing just cut them off. Mount frame was also quiet rusty, used metal brush to make it look better. There still some rust from other side and not so easy to remove it, will try to use liquid rust-removal.

 

[RimaNTSS]

What a day! It is actually Mid-summer day here, and tomorrow is also holiday. Lots of beer will be drunk tonight. :-thumb1
Removed (sandpapered) paint from 180cm mirror and also fixed some scars made by pneumatic weapon bullets.
Also worked little bit on mount. Turned it 180* and changed position of polar mechanism for about 10cm (red circle original and green- new position) , I think that will lower center of gravity of antenna and antenna itself will work like counter-weight, so will be easier for actuator to move antenna from end-positions.

 

[Captain Jack]

Nice - are you going to galvanise/paint it?

 

[RimaNTSS]

paint

 

[satosk]

Was on that roof today and took more pictures, used camera this time. Also measured radius (diameter is impossible to measure cuz it is 4,6m) :-shifty
I mentioned to wife that me (we) will probably have new antenna this year, she was not so exited about that. But them I added that I maybe remove some of the existing dishes and she liked idea. Of course I did not tell about size . I hope neighbor will not object.

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Hi RimaNTSS,

is there any chance to give me the contact info of the company that want to get rid of that dish? Because it is not possible to send a Private Message here, I can give you my skype or you can contact me directly through other DX web site, where PM/emails are provided. I`ll let you know more after you reply "Yes or No" to my request.

Let me know. Thanks.

sato

 

[RimaNTSS]

Company is me now, cuz it is already mine antenna, I mean, officially. And I am not under time pressure, can move it this year or next year.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Perhaps stupid question, but, anyway: Is there a way how to program (maybe little plugin for Enigma2) receiver to automatically move antenna 2x a day? For example, at 08:00 antenna go to 30*W, and at 15:00 to 90*E. In that way, antenna would be always away from direct sun-light and will not burn LNB. Than, instead of painting aluminum PFA, I would polish it.

 

[Captain Jack]

You can always just program a timer to select a channel on 30W at 08:00 and then another channel on 90E at 15:00.This will move the dish.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Yes, I have tried that before, but, TBH you need lots of time to push remote buttons. I would prefer to make some kind of reminder, similar how in MS Outlook, than it would just go on and on.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Add: And if you forget to make some programming during critical day, tan it is over. You know, that at some age we even start to forget to turn off lights in the toilet.