How to make an inclinometer

CROSSBONES

How to make an inclinometer

You can easily make you own inclinometer, for satellite dish elevation adjustment, which will more accurate than most cheap ones you can buy.
Instructions on how to make an inclinometer:

You need to print out the image below and stick it onto a piece of cardboard. Make a pinhole at the apex (centre of the small circle, near top left corner) and insert a length of strong sewing thread. Behind the card use sticky tape to secure the thread. At the front, attach a small weight, such as a 15mm or 1/2 inch metal nut, to the end of the thread, approx 20 cm or 8 inches long, so the weight dangles down past the lower edge of the card.

To use it, simply place the left edge of the card against the surface you are trying to measure. Always think about the angle and ask yourself if the meaning of the numbers make sense. Lowering the beam should reduce the elevation angle, down to zero at the horizon. Straight up is 90 deg. If the scale reads backwards in your case, don't worry; just count the degrees from the other end.
In the case of axi-symmetric, circular dishes, with 3 or 4 equal length struts supporting the LNB on the exact centre line, then the beam is at right angles to the central backing structure behind the reflector.
In the case of offset fed antennas, where there is a main feed support arm, normally at the bottom of the dish, and two shorter side support struts there is an offset angle. When the front face of the dish is upright the beam will have an elevation angle of perhaps 22.5 deg, 25 deg etc according to the specific manufacturer. To help in these cases, the manufacturer often makes a part of the metal structure so it is at right angles to the beam direction. This metal part may be the lower part of the spine behind the dish or form the rear part on a sloping boss fixture behind the middle of the dish. If there is scale you don't need this inclinometer !

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satelliteman

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rolfw

Nice one, I've got a quite expensive one, but that looks like it'll do the job for a few pence.

We'll let it run for a week or so, then make it a sticky.

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CROSSBONES

Not my invention, just thought id pass on the idea

Llew

Yes, helpful little tool. I made one from a protractor, same idea

Llew

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