My SAT-playground

[RimaNTSS]

And just because I had (and still have) paint and sprayer available, I painted polar-mount for 1,8m aluminum PFA. Seems that I will have busy summer installing/reinstalling some dishes

 

[archive10]

More or less finished painting. But, to continue, need some new nuts&bolts (not metric, so, not easy to find). Also need to find 2 end-switches. Need to finish mount (100mm square pipe). Will use original (very heavy ring) to attach antenna. I need to make hinge along red line and 2 declination adjusters (where I circled green).

Wehrah, nahs. Wehrah nahs indeed.

 

[RimaNTSS]

2 new end-switches for Ajak just arrived today. Still lots of work to do to make this motor up and running.

 

[dan rose]

Rima what do you recommend for concrete or cement for a 1.2 and 1.8 meter dish?

 

[RimaNTSS]

Rima what do you recommend for concrete or cement for a 1.2 and 1.8 meter dish?

@dan rose : I do not understand what exactly you mean. I usually take sand and add to it 1/4-1/5 part of powder cement, and, of course, some water, then mix it all together. It is always better to have more weight of base. For bigger antenna- more weight.

 

[dan rose]

how much concrete or cement how many bags? I wanting to use a 3 inch diameter pole for a 1.2 meter dish or larger how much area from the base of the pole out?

 

[RimaNTSS]

@dan rose I doubt there is Yes/No answer, everything depends. Soil might be different (stones, sand, clay etc.). Winters are also different in different areas. I would say, for my climate conditions 4 feet deep hole and 2x2 feet sides would probably be enough to hold 1,8m dish firmly. Of course, whole hole should be filled with mix, and some rebars are welcome inside it.

 

[Pipedream]

how much concrete or cement how many bags? I wanting to use a 3 inch diameter pole for a 1.2 meter dish or larger how much area from the base of the pole out?

What make are the dishes the attached are for channel masters

 

[dan rose]

mine is a 1.2 meter andrews tx rx commercial dish.

 

[RimaNTSS]

This is 139mm (outer diameter) piece of pipe I have. And today got flange for it, it is 22mm thick. Will drill 6 holes in the pipe and weld 6 nuts. Pipe, of course, will be welded to the flange. And this construction will go on top of concrete base.

 

[RimaNTSS]

I have an idea (yes, maybe it is too ambitious, but anyway...) to remove existing non-penetrating stand and dig a hole instead if it. The hole will be 2m x 2m x 1m filled with concrete. And those ~10 tons of concrete should firmly hold some big antenna.

 

[RimaNTSS]

OK, relocated some kerbstones (heavy ) and removed the mount. I doubt I will start digging soon...... but, who knows

 

[RimaNTSS]

For several years I had (till today) this heavy 2m monster . Especially it was pain when cutting grass then it should be moved around....just pain. Spent couple oh hours disassembling construction to reasonably light pieces and a basket of INOX screws . Much better now

 

[Anonymous_1]

I have an idea (yes, maybe it is too ambitious, but anyway...) to remove existing non-penetrating stand and dig a hole instead if it. The hole will be 2m x 2m x 1m filled with concrete. And those ~10 tons of concrete should firmly hold some big antenna.

Few years ago, during the pool construction and a fish pond, 2 bases filled in concrete were built, 1.80X 1.80m X 1.5m deep. Ready for big antennas (3.1m for the moment, not big enough for the bases )

"During the holes creating"


And finally:


The 2nd:

 

[RimaNTSS]

Was busy (neighbor came to drink some beer), so, had not enough time to install something. Just hanged CM polar-mount on the pole. Antenna will come tomorrow (if no rain).

 

[RimaNTSS]

OK, that was only 4-bolt issue, dish is erected (neighbors are happy dish is small). Still need to find feedarms. And, I know, I know..... grass already needs some trimming

 

[RimaNTSS]

It was raining all day yesterday cats&dogs, so installed feedarms and started to tune antenna to the arc just today. It is fun

 

[Captain Jack]

And also frustrating. I never know how accurate my inclinometer is, so when I hit the satellite, I don't know if my elevation is wrong, my declination is wrong or my azimuth is wrong. Once you start hitting the arc, though it's good. I aligned my Laminas surprisingly quickly on the arc.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Tune antenna to the arc is not so difficult, but there is always place for fine tuning anytime later
I use inclinometer to make sure LNB's phase center is co-located with antenna's focal point. When setting up turning antenna, very important that pole is dead plumb, everybody knows that, this is even more important when antenna is big.
Made additional plate to attach end of actuator (rusty piece of metal). Now antenna easily turns from 90*E to 30*W, could go even more East and West, but those are my limits from the ground level anyway.

 

[Captain Jack]

That's a very nice arc, Rimant. I'd easily trade my west for your east.

Do you have any c band lnbs to play with.