Raven 1.8m Install Progress

mapperuo

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Hi guys,

If you follow the second hand dishes ebay thread you'll have seen I have became the owner of a 1.8m Raven, I do actually already own one so am fairly familiar with the basics but this one is a bit different. So I have some questions right off the bat and will share progress if anyone's interest, as I know I like looking at pretty photos. :D

So the first question is, it comes with a fabulous Baird ground mount, but from the drawings it looks like an above ground mount for slabs. I'd prefer to concrete it in like my one, which leads to me this question. Could I bury the main pole shaft (photo 2) in the concrete and have the flange with the bolts be at ground level, or would I need something a bit wider in the concrete to fully support the weight?

u2eIUUP.jpg


PrkfTCQ.jpg
 

Channel Hopper

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Definitely buy a piece of similar diameter galvanised pipe for your install. Resell the npmm to recoup the costs.
 

moonbase

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...If you follow the second hand dishes ebay thread you'll have seen I have became the owner of a 1.8m Raven, I do actually already own one


Good luck with your install, I hope it proceeds smoothly for you. There is an interesting comparison you could make (well, interesting to me). If I understand correctly, your new 1.8m is a "Ka Specified" dish? This would possibly indicate that it may have a higher surface accuracy than a standard Raven 1.8m?

If the Raven "Ka Specification" relates to surface accuracy then it may be interesting to compare Ku band signal levels between your new dish and your existing 1.8m dish. Its a rare occasion for a hobbyist to have both Ka and standard versions of a dish on site at the same geographic location, it could be an interesting test?

If the "Ka Specification" relates not to the surface accuracy but to the rigidity provided by the metal frame then please ignore my incoherent ramblings above.
 

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The difference I can see is the LNB holder, which seems much more substantial than standard. I can't imagine the reflector to be any different but I could be wrong.

And.... that's a hell of a bargain for all those pieces.
 

moonbase

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The difference I can see is the LNB holder, which seems much more substantial than standard. I can't imagine the reflector to be any different but I could be wrong...


I was basing my assumption on the "Ka Specified" dishes from Elite Antennas where the actual reflector face is manufactured to stricter tolerances compared to their C/Ku dishes and in some instances their "Ka Specified" dishes are laser mapped to measure surface accuracy.
 

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There is little way a moulded SMC dish can be improved for higher frequency reception, with the exception of a finer grade of mesh installed within the panelling. Individual testing at the range gives the quality control department figures to ensure repeatability, and I suppose detecting a somewhat higher transmit frequency on the surface (50+ GHz) will provide a decent tolerance report for reflectors to perform at all the usual bands.

What will help is , as you say, the mounting of the hardware taken from the backplate as opposed to hanging off the reflector, a standard employed on most of the receive/transmit antennas.
 

RimaNTSS

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@mapperuo Could you please find stamp on the back of the mirror, take picture of it and post here. I think that if mould number is the same as all Channel Master dishes have than your dish is exactly the same. Then Ka specification is only coming from the rigidness of the mount and feedarms.
 

mapperuo

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Definitely buy a piece of similar diameter galvanised pipe for your install. Resell the npmm to recoup the costs.

A good suggestion! I'll have to see whats around.
 

mapperuo

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The difference I can see is the LNB holder, which seems much more substantial than standard. I can't imagine the reflector to be any different but I could be wrong.

And.... that's a hell of a bargain for all those pieces.

It looks identical to my other one, allbeit it a slightly darker shade of grey. And yes the LNB holder/backplate is fairly killer.

dg38Inw.jpg


0mIwFyI.jpg
 

RimaNTSS

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Just took picture of the stamp on my CM 1,8m . I see no difference, except mine is dirty :eek: IMG_20180924_203326 (Medium).jpg
So, I tend to say that mirrors are made at the same accuracy.
 

mapperuo

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Well made some progress this week. There were 5 pine trees at the end of my driveway which I've now removed, to allow the entire dish farm to be move back and off of the drive. Just need to get some paper and plan out their positions now...

End goal I think will be 2x Raven and the 1.5 Gibby.


Last year:

b1ql9sY.jpg


Now:

oDqxiP2.jpg

AsPWvCB.jpg
 

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Well made some progress this week. There were 5 pine trees at the end of my driveway which I've now removed, to allow the entire dish farm to be move back and off of the drive. Just need to get some paper and plan out their positions now...

End goal I think will be 2x Raven and the 1.5 Gibby.


Last year:

b1ql9sY.jpg


Now:

oDqxiP2.jpg

AsPWvCB.jpg


Ross' alterego. :cool:
 

mapperuo

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0CCqfE8.jpg


Had the 1.5m Gibby out today on my very temporary mount :oops: seeing what my limitations are. Can see 45e before I hit the neighbours garage, 47.5w before I hit a hedge. Just need to figure out positions of them all now.

Sidenote, buying yellow marker paint was a bad decision for dying grass.
 

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Your elevation/declination settings are well off.
 

mapperuo

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Your elevation/declination settings are well off.

Oh aye they will be, was a very rudimental lashup to check limits. The motor was basicly just there to stop it swinging freely. :-doh
 

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I guess it's not as simple as moving the dish further right and closer to the camera position, trim the hedge down a bit and chuck in another couple of pallets? Might get you as far as 53/57?
 

mapperuo

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I guess it's not as simple as moving the dish further right and closer to the camera position, trim the hedge down a bit and chuck in another couple of pallets? Might get you as far as 53/57?

Not a bad idea! Sadly been raining all this weekend so haven't been out to move it. Will certainly try a few more positions before I dig any holes.
 

mapperuo

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Despite the rain, the sun did briefly come out during the 24.5w sun outtage which was fantastic timing... Explains why I can't get a decent signal on the 1.8m raven where it is now on that satellite.

4p7EPgD.png
 

mapperuo

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Got the final satellite posiitons worked out today. Concrete is on standby ready to go, should hopefully have the slabs laid this time next week.

dBeP3ZZ.jpg


U5eNoJn.jpg
 

scopus

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Got the final satellite posiitons worked out today. Concrete is on standby ready to go, should hopefully have the slabs laid this time next week.

dBeP3ZZ.jpg


U5eNoJn.jpg
My SWMBO would have kittens if I put all those dishes up, but great job!
 
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