Installing DirecTV in place of Dish

[turlockcali]

Hi,

thanks in advance for the help.

We are moving to a new place that has Dish "stapled" to the edge of the roof. Rental agency gave the permission to continue to use the DirecTV, but only if we can use existing poles (in this case Dish Network 500) to install, we can't drill anything else on the house.

Is this possible? We currently have the DirecTV HD DVR package.

Many thanks,

Bojan

 

[Bob Nielsen]

Stapled? That doesn't sound very solid and the Slimline is much larger (and heavier) than a Dish 500. The mount requires a 2.0 in OD pole, instead of the 1-5/8 in used by the 500. There are adapters available, but you would be better off if you could use a ground-mounted pole (either cemented into a hole in the ground, a tripod or a non-penetrating mount).

 

[turlockcali]

Stapled? That doesn't sound very solid and the Slimline is much larger (and heavier) than a Dish 500. The mount requires a 2.0 in OD pole, instead of the 1-5/8 in used by the 500. There are adapters available, but you would be better off if you could use a ground-mounted pole (either cemented into a hole in the ground, a tripod or a non-penetrating mount).

I guess its drilled into the edge of the roof, that's what I meant by stapled.

The letter I got from the rental agency says that "it can be installed in the backyard on a freestanding removable pole'. Is this a better option or should I try to talk installer into working with the Dish equipment? I have small kids and have never seen the satellite not on the roof.

many thanks for the advice.

 

[Joe Diamond]

I guess its drilled into the edge of the roof, that's what I meant by stapled.

The letter I got from the rental agency says that "it can be installed in the backyard on a freestanding removable pole'. Is this a better option or should I try to talk installer into working with the Dish equipment? I have small kids and have never seen the satellite not on the roof.

many thanks for the advice.

The pole & dish on the ground will be damaged if kids climb on it. Tell them to not touch it or there will be no cartoons!

The pole & dish on the ground is probably best IF you require HD service.

If you can get by with SD only, the DISH installation can be used pretty much as is.
The staples should be improved for outdoor use...no biggie! The tech will have to repoint the dish...Directv would probably like their equipment used. But for the SD system the DISH stuff will work when pointed at the Directv 101 satellite. Might as well change the LNB. The interior runs will need a little adjustment.

Joe

 

[turlockcali]

The pole & dish on the ground will be damaged if kids climb on it. Tell them to not touch it or there will be no cartoons!

The pole & dish on the ground is probably best IF you require HD service.

If you can get by with SD only, the DISH installation can be used pretty much as is.
The staples should be improved for outdoor use...no biggie! The tech will have to repoint the dish...Directv would probably like their equipment used. But for the SD system the DISH stuff will work when pointed at the Directv 101 satellite. Might as well change the LNB. The interior runs will need a little adjustment.

Joe

how tall is the pole thing. My kids are 3 and 2, theycan climb only so much? Would one install this type of stuff in random corner in the yard?

Many thanks forthe advice.

 

[falkor]

The pole they used for me is too high , in my opinion . It just depends on the installer . Anywhere from 2-6 feet .

 

[turlockcali]

The pole they used for me is too high , in my opinion . It just depends on the installer . Anywhere from 2-6 feet .

that may work. I will probably just have to put a small fence around it or something.

Do you just stick the pole into the ground where you dig a hole or is the pole cemented into the ground.

 

[Joe Diamond]

that may work. I will probably just have to put a small fence around it or something.

Do you just stick the pole into the ground where you dig a hole or is the pole cemented into the ground.

The dish has to face SW. They are 8 (or 10ft) long. You need two or three feet in the ground with some concrete( about 120 lbs / 2 #60 bags...or more depending on soil conditions).
The pole itself should be plumb. Pulling on it after installation could interrupt signal. The dish has an arm coming out in front of it AND THIS WILL BREAK OFF if kids hang on it even a little. Also, pushing it horizontally can interrupt signal if the dish spins rather that the arm breaking off.

The installer should be able to get the dish five feet off the ground.

Know that there is a fiberglass "rock" cover that will hide the dish and protect it from kids. Look up under Directv accessories.

The plus to the pole mount is that you can easily remove snow and or make repairs.

There will be underground cable running from the pole / dish to the building and this should not be dug up or cut for the same signal interruption reason.

The pole, concrete & digging in the extra cable will have a cost above the FREE installation.

Joe

 

[turlockcali]

The dish has to face SW. They are 8 (or 10ft) long. You need two or three feet in the ground with some concrete( about 120 lbs / 2 #60 bags...or more depending on soil conditions).
The pole itself should be plumb. Pulling on it after installation could interrupt signal. The dish has an arm coming out in front of it AND THIS WILL BREAK OFF if kids hang on it even a little. Also, pushing it horizontally can interrupt signal if the dish spins rather that the arm breaking off.

The installer should be able to get the dish five feet off the ground.

Know that there is a fiberglass "rock" cover that will hide the dish and protect it from kids. Look up under Directv accessories.

The plus to the pole mount is that you can easily remove snow and or make repairs.

There will be underground cable running from the pole / dish to the building and this should not be dug up or cut for the same signal interruption reason.

The pole, concrete & digging in the extra cable will have a cost above the FREE installation.

Joe

this is great info, thank you very much.

How much (a rough estimate is fine) will all the extras cost. I am starting to wonder should I just go with Uverse or switch to evil cable company. I have been very happy with DTV for 5 years now, but between all the hassle and extra costs I am starting to wonder if its worth it.

Again, much appreciate all the advice, it is very helpful.

 

[Bob Nielsen]

From Calif. it will face SE, not SW.

 

[Joe Diamond]

From Calif. it will face SE, not SW.

Bob,

Correct! Didn't notice that. When I am in Denver I navigate by the dishes because their line is almost due south.

Joe

 

[Joe Diamond]

this is great info, thank you very much.

How much (a rough estimate is fine) will all the extras cost. I am starting to wonder should I just go with Uverse or switch to evil cable company. I have been very happy with DTV for 5 years now, but between all the hassle and extra costs I am starting to wonder if its worth it.

Again, much appreciate all the advice, it is very helpful.

Turlock,

The prices vary but a ball park would be $75.00 for the pole, concrete and digging in about twenty feet of cable. If you need to run four cables from the dish to a multiswitch they will have to actually dig a narrow trench rather than just pushing cable into a shovel cut.

The height can be changed with a hacksaw to lower the dish under the approx $200.00 FG "rock".

Considering all that looking at some kind of roof mount will be cheaper (FREE)

Joe

 

[turlockcali]

Turlock,

The prices vary but a ball park would be $75.00 for the pole, concrete and digging in about twenty feet of cable. If you need to run four cables from the dish to a multiswitch they will have to actually dig a narrow trench rather than just pushing cable into a shovel cut.

The height can be changed with a hacksaw to lower the dish under the approx $200.00 FG "rock".

Considering all that looking at some kind of roof mount will be cheaper (FREE)

Joe

I agree that roof mount would be better, but my rental agency will not let me do any new drilling on the roof unless I use the existing stuff on the roof - its the Dish 500 stuff that couple of folks said will not be great for installing HD type package from DirecTV.

As the freestanding pole thing seems expensive I am starting to entertain Uverse rout. Just debating if I should let the installer try the installation using the exisiting Dish thing on the roof first or forget it altogether.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a lot for the help.

 

[Dennis Brown]

Just switched from Dish to Directv

I just received a new Directv install. The installer didn't use any of the Dish poles. Rather, he brought a hugh tripod gizmo to which he attached the dish. Then he used some large spikes to secure the tripod to the ground. I don't know if this process is unique to Hawaii. But it would seem to meet the landlord's requirements.

 

[Joe Diamond]

I agree that roof mount would be better, but my rental agency will not let me do any new drilling on the roof unless I use the existing stuff on the roof - its the Dish 500 stuff that couple of folks said will not be great for installing HD type package from DirecTV.

As the freestanding pole thing seems expensive I am starting to entertain Uverse rout. Just debating if I should let the installer try the installation using the exisiting Dish thing on the roof first or forget it altogether.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a lot for the help.

You could try this,
In the Skywalker Catalog there are some adapter pipes. Skywalker will sell to everyone and ships the same day.

These were first used to mount the Directv round dish to the old but very strong Primestar steel post. There are also adapter pipes to fit on the 1.66 Dish & Directv masts to produce the new 2" mast to put HD dishes on old SD masts.

That is the key. You must have a plumb and secure 2" OD mast for the HD dishes.

I have seen the 2" mast that is shipped with the HD Directv Dish attached to old DISH and Directv masts with muffler clamps and through bolted. The tech disassembled the 2" mast and installed it upside down. If you have any kind of wind this is really streaching it. Add the monopoles if at all possible.

NOT APPROVED BY DIRECTV

A Plumb and secure 2" mast is the requirement. It could work but you gotta do some engineering.

What Dennis Brown suggests is available also...they are called non penetrating roof mounts. And I understand HI needs a different variation on those for dish size. But there you are going into a cost.

Joe

 

[Liquidforce88]

No installer is going to put on HD dish on an adapted 1.66 mast. Auto fail, and the dish would probably rip the mast out of the roof.

Don't waste your time an installer won't do it. Do a pole mount.

Also just so everyone knows the 18x20 dish is now also 2". So no more just popin the old E* dish off and putting the Direct dish on. New mast for all of them.

 

[turlockcali]

looks like the roof option will not work. Its back to the backyard scenario.

I am starting to read about Uverse. Is there any drilling on the house involved with Uverse or they can use existing phone jack. I also have a cable that looks like coax in the living room.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Liquidforce88]

looks like the roof option will not work. Its back to the backyard scenario.

I am starting to read about Uverse. Is there any drilling on the house involved with Uverse or they can use existing phone jack. I also have a cable that looks like coax in the living room.

Thanks again for the advice.

I would expect drilling of holes for any new service. U-verse runs phone and cable to every tv location, and from what I have seen not very pretty either. So be prepared for holes of some kind to be drilled.

 

[turlockcali]

I would expect drilling of holes for any new service. U-verse runs phone and cable to every tv location, and from what I have seen not very pretty either. So be prepared for holes of some kind to be drilled.

even if there already a phone jack and the coax cable there?

Its looking like we may end up with the dark side of comcast since my rental agency does not allow any drilling...