A bit more on the installation (part 1):
I bought the dish second-hand as a "as-is" and "take-it-down-yourself" offer. A few scratches, but otherwise fine.
The amount of concrete around the mounting pole I took it down from made it look like it would take a JCB to remove from the original premises. I therefore decided to use a kingpost for my install, so that it could be easily removed again if required.
The official CM/Andrew/ASC/Skyware kingposts are far too expensive to purchase here in Denmark (needs to be mail ordered in from abroad). Instead I had one made to my specs locally at the blacksmiths of one of our correctional facilities. (Cut to measure, welded and galvanised). Very sturdy, exactly to my specs, although delivery times were slightly, erh, prolonged.
Originally intended to concrete in four threaded rods into a nice foundation block, then fasten the kingpost onto the rods. I figured that it would be better to put the base of the kingpost some 20 cm (8") below ground level, so that taking out the kingpost would leave enough room for soil to cover the concrete block underneath, rather than leaving the concrete "scar" at ground level.
After choosing the final placement of the dish, I decided against concreting stuff into the ground, and instead went hunting for suitable anchoring at the local Bauhaus. I found these concrete post holders, which weighed something like 35-40 kgs each. In a pinch, they can in principle be removed one by one without JCBs if ever needed. In order to connect the kingpost with these post holders, I used some 75mm x 75mm square (3x3) lumber secured with 12mm bolts to the post holders. The kingpost is then mounted in the lumber bars with another set of 12mm bolts.
Digging the hole was perhaps the most challenging part; in order to have the base of the kingpost at 20 cm below ground level, I had to dig down to 105 cm below ground level. The ground here is old brick-factory backfill, so it's pretty heavy going. Had to enlist specialist help (brother-in-law who is landscape gardener) to finish the hole to sufficient depth. (Hope that I will never need to do that again without a JC
.
Leveled the bottom with screeing sand, then put the post holders in. Aligned them properly with the pre-assembled set of lumber bars, then started back-filling with soil. For every 5 cm compacted soil with a piece of 2x3 lumber and water to ensure tight fit. when soil level with concrete top, I stopped and covered the top with fabric to prevent too much plant growth (the spot is directly under a tree!). Will decide later how to cap the hole - need to think a bit about this.
(contd.)
