Motorised Satellite line of sight

Fano · 13-02-2009

Hi guys
I have finally plunged for a motorised satellite system after years of long fingering and delays.
The back of my house faces South and it is exposed in high gales.
I have decided to put the 1m Gibertini dish on the East facing wall ,which is very sheltered.
I should be able to see all the Eastern satellites but I will be limited to 11W on my Western side .Its a compromise worth taking as the Southern wall is too exposed and the Diseqc motor wouldnt last long there.
The edge of the roof will be jutting out slightly over the dish ,a few feet up.
It shouldnt effect the line of sight I hope.
I understand Thor is the highest satellite in the arc ~30deg ,and the dish is a 21deg offset design.
I have a Sky dish at 28.2 ,its elevation is ~20 degrees although it looks like it is pointing below parallel to the ground.
I'm in Southern Ireland ,Latitude 52 degrees.
Essentially I want to know what kind of angle would the highest satellite make with the ground ,do I have clearance from the roof .
I think I can see 45-50 degrees above the height of the dish ,is this enough ?
Many thanks
Fano

**satelliteman** · 13-02-2009

Hi

This is what site surveys are for. Maybe differecult to judge what clearence you'll get. Also depends on what motor and bracketry you use.

If in exposed location where you get high gales, fit a polar mount and actuator to the dish, much stronger overall. I just done one shown on another thread (Motorised Gibertini 100cm with 12" jack). If you think your sheltered enough on the East wall then a DiSEqC HH motor should be ok.

**ditdahdahdah** · 13-02-2009

Due to your locatuin you will find that AtlanticBird3 at 5west is your closest due south satellit. Set up on that one, not 1west.
"J"

**Robbo** · 13-02-2009

Get yourself an angle gauge and a printout from dishpointer, then you will be able to expore all your mounting positions. Due south sat is usually about 30 degrees elevation, 45 degres E/W is normally about 20 degrees elevation. Dishpointer will tell you all the figures for your location.

***compufunk*** · 14-02-2009

Originally Posted by Fano

The edge of the roof will be jutting out slightly over the dish ,a few feet up.
It shouldnt effect the line of sight I hope.

Your reference satellite (highest in the arc) will vary depending on which side of the country you are, 5W being best for the east, Belfast, Dublin, Waterford etc, and 8W for anywhere 50ish or so miles west of that. So for most of the island 8W is best,.

A H-H motor will add 8-10" more clearance from the mounting point than you would have with just the dish on its own, so you may find that you can get slightly further than 11W with the extra clearance, also this will help with roof overhang clearance.

Your roof overhang should not be a problem unless its really large.

In the attached photo my dish is pointing 43W and the overhang is not a problem (you cant really see the overhang properly from the angle of the picture.)

Fano · 14-02-2009

Originally Posted by Robbo

Get yourself an angle gauge and a printout from dishpointer, then you will be able to expore all your mounting positions. Due south sat is usually about 30 degrees elevation, 45 degres E/W is normally about 20 degrees elevation. Dishpointer will tell you all the figures for your location.

Thanks Robbo,I have already used Dishpointer to check the options available.
I used the obstruction option on it,very helpful.
I made out a 30deg line on a large piece of cardboard and stuck it up earlier,looks like I have plenty of room.
31 deg will be my highest satellite,its lower than I expected .

Your reference satellite (highest in the arc) will vary depending on which side of the country you are, 5W being best for the east, Belfast, Dublin, Waterford etc, and 8W for anywhere 50ish or so miles west of that. So for most of the island 8W is best,.

I'm near Cork so I will use 8W.

A H-H motor will add 8-10" more clearance from the mounting point than you would have with just the dish on its own, so you may find that you can get slightly further than 11W with the extra clearance, also this will help with roof overhang clearance.

Handy ,might be able to see further West so.
I am putting the dish on the East wall which is parallel to ~12W.
I will use a 20 inch TK bracket to offset the dish enough from the wall so as it can swing right around towards the wall,at 12W the dish will be perpendicular to the wall.
It will be shielded nicely from the South Western gales .

If in exposed location where you get high gales, fit a polar mount and actuator to the dish, much stronger overall. I just done one shown on another thread (Motorised Gibertini 100cm with 12" jack). If you think your sheltered enough on the East wall then a DiSEqC HH motor should be ok.

I currently have a Moteck 2100A (Still in its box ,brand new ) as I thought I'd need one of the Jaeger 1224 mounts if I was to use a 36v motor.
They look huge ,too big to wall mount and make a right racket.
Would the polar mount be a better option ?
What does that entail,polar mount,12" jack ,4 core cable and a V box is it ?
Might be considering using that instead of the 2100a,then I could put the dish on the Southern wall and see all sats.
Is it a worthwhile upgrade ?

**satelliteman** · 14-02-2009

This would be the identical kit required if you were to go that route:
Motorised Gibertini 100cm

SM

Fano · 14-02-2009

Originally Posted by satelliteman

This would be the identical kit required if you were to go that route:

SM

Nice piece of kit.Looks sturdy.
So I'd need to get
a)Gibertini polar mount for 1m dish
b)12" Jaeger Actuator
c)V Box
d)Few metres of 4 core cable

Are these Jacks noisy ?
As they are seperately powered unlike the Diseqc I presume they are faster ,sturdier and better performance wise.

**satelliteman** · 14-02-2009

Can be noisy but will track the arc quicker and will be stronger. They do a polar mount for the 85cm & 100cm version which differs to that of the 120cm & 150cm dish.

Fano · 14-02-2009

Originally Posted by satelliteman

Can be noisy but will track the arc quicker and will be stronger. They do a polar mount for the 85cm & 100cm version which differs to that of the 120cm & 150cm dish.

Ok,I have found all the required components,reasonable cost upgrade.
How much noisier than a Moteck 2100 is the Superjack ?

**Robbo** · 14-02-2009

Just to add, the 1224 is as quiet as a mouse, barely audible. All gears inside are nylon, apart from the motor itself. Far quieter than any Diseqc motor I have ever tried inc Stab, Moteck, Technomate, Dark motor. It is big and heavy though, but unlike an actuator it will do H-H.

**satelliteman** · 14-02-2009

It's the price though. The polar mount and jack are peanuts compared to the 1224.

How much noisier than a Moteck 2100 is the Superjack ?

Noticable but not over the top.

Fano · 14-02-2009

Originally Posted by Robbo

Just to add, the 1224 is as quiet as a mouse, barely audible. All gears inside are nylon, apart from the motor itself. Far quieter than any Diseqc motor I have ever tried inc Stab, Moteck, Technomate, Dark motor. It is big and heavy though, but unlike an actuator it will do H-H.

I thought about using a 1224 motor but decided against it.
It looks way too big/heavy to wall mount and I had read that they are noisy beasts (Saw a video in the Fibo Owners Club,it sounded like a hoover !)
I also think you need 2 positioners for them ,and I'd also need an adapter plate for the Gibertini dish.
The Costs add up plus I think the missus would freak if she saw the size of it .

I wasnt aware of the polar mount + actuator option until satelliteman mentioned it.It looks good though.

If I go for the Diseqc option I will get 11W-55E which is most of the main commercial satellites anyway ,plus its sheltered and nicely concealed .
Otherwise I can sell the Moteck2100 and buy the polar mount/actuator setup,decisions,decisions.

**Robbo** · 14-02-2009

Originally Posted by satelliteman

It's the price though. The polar mount and jack are peanuts compared to the 1224.

Yep, agreed, not much change out of £150, the biz though all the same.

***compufunk*** · 15-02-2009

Originally Posted by Fano

Otherwise I can sell the Moteck2100 and buy the polar mount/actuator setup,decisions,decisions.

I'd be interested in the Moteck if you decide to sell. Provided you do a reasonable deal on it.

**Channel Hopper** · 15-02-2009

Originally Posted by Robbo

Just to add, the 1224 is as quiet as a mouse, barely audible. All gears inside are nylon, apart from the motor itself. Far quieter than any Diseqc motor I have ever tried inc Stab, Moteck, Technomate, Dark motor. It is big and heavy though, but unlike an actuator it will do H-H.

That's only because it came from a trusted supplier

**satelliteman** · 15-02-2009

or a freebee with a dish

Fano · 15-02-2009

Originally Posted by satelliteman

This would be the identical kit required if you were to go that route:
Motorised Gibertini 100cm

SM

What arc does that setup cover ? How far East -West does it cover ?
Thanks

**satelliteman** · 15-02-2009

Should get 45e to 45w easy enough. I only checked as far as 42e to 30w for that system.

Fano · 15-02-2009

Originally Posted by satelliteman

Should get 45e to 45w easy enough. I only checked as far as 42e to 30w for that system.

Sounds good.
I thought polar mounts had a fixed arc ~70 degrees or +/-35 degrees ?

**Channel Hopper** · 15-02-2009

Originally Posted by Fano

Sounds good.
I thought polar mounts had a fixed arc ~70 degrees or +/-35 degrees ?

Polarmounts can vary enormously, and can also be adapted by the end user to align up with almost any position on the arc depending on the brackets and motor used.

Fano · 15-02-2009

Originally Posted by Channel Hopper

Polarmounts can vary enormously, and can also be adapted by the end user to align up with almost any position on the arc depending on the brackets and motor used.

Ok I understand now.Interesting.

Fivestella · 15-02-2009

Hi all, my first post.

A simialar question to Fano's really.

Having recently purchased a Technomate TM-5400 CI+USB Super and learnt how to drive it whilst connected to my $ky dish.

I have decided it is time to lash out on a motorised dish. Now SWMBO has stated catergoricaly that no way is she going to have a dish bolted to the front of my south facing house, or to the gable end.

My other option is to attach it to the rear gable wall of my garage which is situated in my garden.

My latitude is 52.5 degrees north and a few degrees west. Yes I am in the UK.

Having located various satellites via the excellent Satellite Dish Alignment / Setup Calculator 2.0 and thier elevations.

Now here is my question. For example the Hellas sat at 39E and an EL of 19deg. is peeping over my nieghbours roof at me. Now the angle between from the centre of my proposed dish and the apex of my nieghbours house is a nominal 8deg. Giving a theoretical available angle of 11deg.

Would it be possible to pick up Hellas? This is probably the worst example.

I look forward to your replies.

Regards Fivestella

**Channel Hopper** · 15-02-2009

Why not put the dish in the same place as the $ky one and tell the wife the dish material expands due to the cold weather (you might get away with an 80cm, anymore is proportional to gullibility and persuasion)
Wine and dine her tomorrow

Fivestella · 15-02-2009

Originally Posted by Channel Hopper

Why not put the dish in the same place as the $ky one and tell the wife the dish material expands due to the cold weather (you might get away with an 80cm, anymore is proportional to gullibility and persuasion)
Wine and dine her tomorrow

Unfortunatley she is not that gullable

And she leaves the wine drinking to me.

Working on the theory that if a satellite is in my line of site even if it is above someones roof, I should be able to pick it up.

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Motorised Satellite line of sight Information exchange on LNBs, Single satellite, motorised and multi-satellite systems. DiSEqC switches, positioners, motors, actuators, dish-alignment etc.

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