My SAT-playground

[RimaNTSS]

Stahero shows only %, diodes indicate 13/18V and Lock. Also beeps more often when signal is stronger.

 

[Archived-1]

it comes with whats in the picture looks like some kind of wall bracket ?, i dont know much about my 1mtr tbh never mind this one :-0, but i am willing to learn :-).

A/S said it might be a C/S dish, i am picking it up tomorrow :-), it also comes with a Technomate V box positioner and Topfield HD digital satellite receiver :-),

whats the best thread for help with this please,
thanks

 

[Mickha]

Moved the 1.2M Channel Master discussion to a new thread:
http://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/topic/157888-just-acquired-a-12m-channel-master/

 

[RimaNTSS]

Stahero shows only %, diodes indicate 13/18V and Lock. Also beeps more often when signal is stronger.

I was wrong. Display has 4 modes, you need to push button, so it also shows dB.

 

[RimaNTSS]

welcome to my under-stair compartment where is some of SAT-stuff is located. Some positioners and couple of analog tuners with positioners. Also 100m spool of SAT coper cable (as I have said in Martin's tread, got it for less than 15 GBP). I am just wondering, maybe from 2 analog receivers would be possible to make one box for controlling of 2 actuators, some kind of Fibo-box?

 

[RimaNTSS]

Perhaps it is not so easy to install polar-mount (PM), especially when there are not so much experience doing so. I came to conclusion that better do this job step by step. And those steps can be completely separates one from other but should be done in sequence: A- make PM dead vertical, B- catch Clarke belt, C-install actuator.
A- could be relatively easy task, but should be done precise as much as possible;
B- How to catch SAT-bow is written in lots of resources, but there is small problem there are no actuator yet :-shifty . What to do? Easy- make simple mechanical stop for your antenna on most Eastern or most Western position, and, BTW that would be really nice to have real satellite in this very edgy position.
In my case, on attached picture you can see this tuning or mechanical stop. On the right side of it I can remove actuator at all, but antenna will stay tuned on 90*E (my Most-East satellite) and still have possibility to turn antenna with this mechanism. Instead of actuator, to be able to move antenna by hands and very fast another mechanism could be used, like on picture #2 or something like that.
After "B" is completed, you can install actuator. And, I've said in another tread: Almost any antenna could be moved by any actuator if you have PM well balanced and fixing holes on the right places.

 

[Archived-1]

Perhaps it is not so easy to install polar-mount (PM), especially when there are not so much experience doing so. I came to conclusion that better do this job step by step. And those steps can be completely separates one from other but should be done in sequence: A- make PM dead vertical, B- catch Clarke belt, C-install actuator.
A- could be relatively easy task, but should be done precise as much as possible;
B- How to catch SAT-bow is written in lots of resources, but there is small problem there are no actuator yet :-shifty . What to do? Easy- make simple mechanical stop for your antenna on most Eastern or most Western position, and, BTW that would be really nice to have real satellite in this very edgy position.
In my case, on attached picture you can see this tuning or mechanical stop. On the right side of it I can remove actuator at all, but antenna will stay tuned on 90*E (my Most-East satellite) and still have possibility to turn antenna with this mechanism. Instead of actuator, to be able to move antenna by hands and very fast another mechanism could be used, like on picture #2 or something like that.
After "B" is completed, you can install actuator. And, I've said in another tread: Almost any antenna could be moved by any actuator if you have PM well balanced and fixing holes on the right places.

interesting tread,
what about when you have 60mph gales ?.

 

[RimaNTSS]

hat about when you have 60mph gales ?.

That is only limitation of putting small actuators on relatively big "sails" and that I also mentioned in another tread I feel that even for 60mph gales 18' actuator is enough for 150-180cm dish (from personal experience). And for 120cm - 12' is quiet OK 2 , however 18' may sustain stronger winds. BTW, question was about: Is it possible to get full arc of 120cm antenna with 12' actuator YES/NO.

 

[Archived-1]

NO, now let it drop please your like a dog with a bone lol :-)

 

[RimaNTSS]

Talking about actuators: I have got one really big- heavy duty 36', it is simply too huge for antennas smaller than 2 meters. Could be fine on 3m which I do not have O-no yet. However, I think it is possible to attach it to 150cm dish, but than it will move from East to West in 2 minutes :-crying instead of 1, but at the same time will be able to survive "Catrina"
P.S. I am not arguing, just express personal opinion.

 

[nelson_b]

hi
i like the adjustable mount locking tool ( pictured below )
did you make it ? or is it ready made for some other purpose ?

regards ---

 

[RimaNTSS]

That was made by friend of mine long time ago for only one reason - to help with PM installation. He is doing lots of things for living including all kinds of metalworks. Would you like me to ask him can he make one for you?
That's how device looks on antenna:

 

[nelson_b]

That was made by friend of mine long time ago for only one reason - to help with PM installation. He is doing lots of things for living including all kinds of metalworks. Would you like me to ask him can he make one for you?
That's how device looks on antenna:

hi -rimaNTSS

its a nicely made and use-full tool -- when i set up my trusty 1.8 c.m. many years ago i used a strong flat bar fastened to the dish and clamped it to the mount with a large "mole grip" wrench - l.o.l.
i don,t get enough spare time to spend on this satellite hobby these days to warrant having one made for me -- but i thank you kindly for the offer --

regards nelson.b.

 

[RimaNTSS]

Inserted SSD disc in GB Quad. O yes, it's faster this way. However prices for SSDs with lots of gB holds back. :-shifty

 

[Lazarus]

Ouch! Just had a look at prices of 240GB SSD ............ £80 upwards

Not in the ballpark yet!

 

[RimaNTSS]

I have got an offer today to buy set of SAT-equipment. Owner purchased it back in 2000, and payed unbelievable price of 584 Lats (about 700 GBP). OK, 50 of that sum was installation job, but anyway. Now he is ready to get rid of it for 35 Lats (little bit more than 40 GBP). As I can see from pictures mirror is in pretty good shape with no rust. I know I know, I have enough hardware at home, and have no place for additional antennas, but still think that that positioner and actuator alone are worth of that money.

 

[Hixxy1]

Absolute bargain. The dish looks pretty big as well.

 

[Captain Jack]

Lovely dish! What will this one point to?

 

[RimaNTSS]

What will this one point to?

Have no idea. :-shifty I think I am little bit lost in all that hardware.... too many antennas, they are everywhere, some installed, some on the attic, in the garage, on the grass and some still waiting to be picked up.
Installed:
-polar-mounted 180cm PFA;
-polar-mounted 150cm PFA;
-polar-mounted 120cm PFA;
- T-90;
- 120cm offset;
- another 120cm offset (sqare-shaped);
On the attic:
- 150cm PFA on polar-mount;
- 160cm offset (square-shaped) on polar mount;
- 80cm offset;
In the garage 190cm polar-mounted offset aluminum.
200cm aluminum (very heavy) PFA in the garden, do not think it will ever be installed.
180cm, 2 actuator polar-mounted aluminum to be picked up.
And finally, that last one, 180cm polar-mounted.
And, yes, forgot that I still waiting answer about 4,6m Andrew PFA, the monster. I just afraid if I get positive answer!
So, my end-state could be to have some fixed antennas like T90 and couple of offsets, to get maximum watchable sats for simple wathing TV.
And than one polar-mounted for Ku feed hunting and another polar-mounted for C-band.
Just to reduce # of antennas will probably present and install one at my father-in-law place, and another one for friend of mine. Maybe sell some with no profit to some friends. In addition, I have not enough time to spend on this hobby, and have lots of another priorities.

 

[Captain Jack]

Dude - you're crazy It's not like I am envious or anything......