Setting up CM 1.8m on motorised polar mount

M

mapperuo

Specialist Contributor
My Satellite Setup
2x 1.8m Raven (7e Fixed, 30w-45e)
2x 1.5m Gibby (23.5e / 13e)
2x 1.2m Gibby (10e / 30w - 45e)
3x 1.1m Generics (15w / 0.8w / 28.2e)
My Location
Fife, Scotland
Howdy!

Finally got the CH 1.8m dish, (Progress previously: https://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/1-8m-raven-install-begins.161028/)

Couple of questions..

From what I understand I have to set it up on the polar mount due south, so 0.8w satellites for my position in Scotland. What about the motor? Out of the box its fully retracted, so if I pop it on once all aligned at 0.8w it would only extend in one direction? Wouldnt I need to fit it half way extended.

Probably going to have a few other questions but that is the first one that comes to mind.


Really appreciate any help.
 
Mine is set so it is fully retracted when at it's westerly limit to give it maximum strength when it's pointing that way during a SW gale. Extend it half way, put it on the mount at 1W and line everything up, once you've got it tracking correctly then you can adjust the actuator to the most suitable side and position, it'll make no difference to the tracking accuracy.
 
Excellent. Thats great news thank you.

Have the weekend planned to try set this up. Despite having two massive brass bolts to adjust declination and elevation there are no markings anywhere.. So I've had to order an inclinometer to manually set the lattitude. :(

I'm assuming I'm correct in saying I set my lattitude on the declination, which is the adjustment that tilts the entire dish + back support, vs the one that just tilts the dish?
 
Is this the same mount as the one show on Satsuperstore, I can see two large brass bolts on that one. I use a free spirit level and angle app on my phone that does a good enough job. Have a read of this post from 4.6 onwards, ignore the fact it's for C band and is aimed for the US market. It explains everything clearly with lots of pictures! http://www.tvrosat.com/phpBB-3.0/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=146&t=1252
 
Inclination (lattitude) will be on the mount at the back that adjusts the whole thing. Declination will be on the dish itself (not sure what it is for a CM dish but something like 23 degrees sounds about right).
 
aceb said:
Is this the same mount as the one show on Satsuperstore, I can see two large brass bolts on that one. I use a free spirit level and angle app on my phone that does a good enough job. Have a read of this post from 4.6 onwards, ignore the fact it's for C band and is aimed for the US market. It explains everything clearly with lots of pictures! http://www.tvrosat.com/phpBB-3.0/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=146&t=1252
Click to expand...

Hi,

Yes indeed we bought the insanely expensive SSS 1.8m kit, which came with no instructions! That guide looks superb. One immediate note is it's for a prime focus dish so my angles are going to be very different, Is there a calculator for offset dishes I wonder?
 
It's very similar for the offset dish... the declination for the dish (section 4.7) will be around 23-24 degrees for you but once you set the polar mount up with correct angles, it will be relatively easy to find the angle for the dish - simply from trial and error.
 
Lots of them on Amazon.....UK/DE/FR/ES/IT......try whichever is most convenient for your location...
 
Splendid set up guide on the above link.
 
mapperuo said:
Howdy!

Finally got the CH 1.8m dish, (Progress previously: https://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/threads/1-8m-raven-install-begins.161028/)

Couple of questions..

From what I understand I have to set it up on the polar mount due south, so 0.8w satellites for my position in Scotland. What about the motor? Out of the box its fully retracted, so if I pop it on once all aligned at 0.8w it would only extend in one direction? Wouldnt I need to fit it half way extended.

Probably going to have a few other questions but that is the first one that comes to mind.


Really appreciate any help.
Click to expand...
aceb said:
Mine is set so it is fully retracted when at it's westerly limit to give it maximum strength when it's pointing that way during a SW gale. Extend it half way, put it on the mount at 1W and line everything up, once you've got it tracking correctly then you can adjust the actuator to the most suitable side and position, it'll make no difference to the tracking accuracy.
Click to expand...
 

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samoloko said:
a place where to buy an Inclinometer
Click to expand...
It is known well that best place where to buy stuff is internet (usually goods coming from PRC).
I've got quiet a few pieces of valuable equipment from e-shops. Main thing is to decide what you are looking for and then look for best seller, delivery or warranty conditions, etc.
And, today's items "Made in China" are in much better quality then items "Made in CHINA" several years ago. No quality problems at all.
 

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rima
what type batteries use digital protractor from your post
which brand Is
 
Thanks for the link to that guide again, printed it out for some bed time reading and it really is brilliant.

Suspect we'll get the dish mounted to the concrete tomorrow but aligning may have to wait, rather windy, so hardly ideal! :( Maybe Sunday can be alignment day.
 
samoloko said:
what type batteries use digital protractor from your post
Click to expand...
There is only one battery. I wish it was AA or AAA. But also with existing one no problems. Unfortunately device does not go to sleep automatically and if you forget to turn it off than battery going to run down.
Go to ebay.com and look for Digital Protractor, there are hundreds of offers.
 

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Well managed to get the tripod base secured and level, Polar mount loosely on. Unfortantely progress has ground to a halt as the metal frame that mounts to the dish, the holes are a tadge too small, and despite trying a dremel to take the paint off the edges, and even a metal drill bit. No go!

Try find an SDS bit tomorrow.. Ah well!
 

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SDS with Chuck got through the metal easily, dish now on, yet to align it. When I try move the motor, the G-Box makes a click but the motor doesn't move, so will have to double check the wiring, But thats for another day. Totally exhausted. :(
 

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Looking good :), it could be the wiring but also check the limit switches inside the actuator are not set to stop ;),

I would be pleased to here from you when you get it set up what you get from the 1.8 that you don't from the 1.2 if you would be so kind :).
 
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