?Boy, do I need a manual or a lot of help!I bought one of the original paraclipse 12 ft classic antennas with the standard Polar T linear actuator drive. It performed without missing a lick until I took it down and completely disassembled it for a long distance move with a moving van with similar items taped together and wrapped with moving quilts. I used a couple of pieces of masonite to protect the panels and keep them flat. Everything arrived safely 1200 miles away. The dish was moved again for a few miles, then moved again to the final destination in central Texas. I can't inventory all of the parts, because of not having a list of material, but from memory, it looks like everything is here and undamaged although it has been 19 years since it was disassembled for the original move.
This version does not have any grooves in the ribs for the mesh to slide in and instead uses wire U clips to go across the ribs to hold the panels in place at the ribs. I also remember that this version assembles the mesh panels differently then some of the others because of the method used to hold the panels to the ribs. I did download a manual for a later version that uses the wonderful Horizon to Horizon actuator, but a lot of things are quite different on the polar T version. I also replaced the button hook with the factory 4 pole LNB mount kit.
Fortunately, I bought a new package of j clips, which I unpacked after 19 years of storage. There are lots of J clips, but no U clips. Since the J clips are made from .045 aluminum wire (probably welding wire), I assume this is the best choice for the U clips but not the cheapest since the wire comes in huge spools!
I was so happy that they included two Deldrin washers (.120 thick and .125 thick), although the original had a single machined nylon washer and I am not sure where two washers go. The Polar T actually pivots the entire antenna on a single 3/4 inch bolt that fits in two bronze bushings (that probably need to be greased when assembled again). The 3/4 inch bolt then fits through two holes in an offset C bracket that bolts to the rear hub.
The C Bracket had an 1/8 inch aluminum shim at the top to further space it from the rear hub probably to set the declination angle. They sent me two more of these, one was .059 thick aluminum, and the other was .030 thick plastic. I have no idea which one(s) I need to use. I am about 1 degree latitude further South now that at the original location. ( I can calculate the required shim for the declination angle, if it is not listed in the manual)
I found a place that sells 3.5 inch od pipe for $2.95/foot and I believe it will take about 7 1/2 feet. A lot of rock in the soil, so will dig the hole BEFORE I go buy the pipe and hopefully, will be able to buy it Monday.
I have a place cleared in the barn and the basic pieces laid out for assembly. I plan to guess at the correct bolt sizes and lengths and do a loose assembly.
Boy, do I need a manual! If anyone has one, please let me know and I would be glad to pay for the postage, scan it, and return it to you.
? I sincerely appreciate any help in getting this beautiful antenna back up in the air again!
: The manual looks really good, Babadem. Thanks so much for your hard work. I combined the file into a single file, but it it 13.3 megs and the forum limit on uploads is 5 megs. I can rescale jpeg files, but will have to see if any Mac software will resize .pdf files.
