Mounting a STAB HH90 on a C-band (3.25") pole

[Radioguy41]

I have two existing C-band poles which are already cemented into the ground, so I wanted to mount my new 90cm dish onto one of them. However, as shipped, the max size pole the mount will fit is 68mm (2.67"). Here's what I did.

Qty=4, 1/4" x 4.5" bolts w/nuts & washers from Lowes.
Qty=2, 3.5" automotive exhaust clamps from Advance Auto.

Bend the bolts as shown. I used a vise and hammer.
I then painted the bolts and clamps exterior gloss black.
When I went to test fit them on the pole I discovered they needed one more small bend as show in the bottom photo.
Make sure the HH90 motor is in place in the bracket before tightening the clamps and don't over-tighten them.

 

[KE4EST]

I really like this! Great Job!

 

[wallyhts]

I agree great idea!

 

[spongella]

Very ingenious, never thought of that, thank you for the great idea.

 

[Radioguy41]

After fine tuning it I found that tightening the clamps has an interesting affect on the mount. As you tighten individual nuts on the clamps it distorts the mounting bracket a tiny bit. Now in my case it worked out great because I found that by tightening or slightly loosening individual nuts on the clamps I could minutely affect the dish alignment and tweak it that last tiny bit. However, if that would be a concern you could eliminate that by drilling through the mount and adding 2 cross bolts to keep the mount from distorting as the clamps are tightened. They wouldn't need to be big bolts, a quarter inch should do.

 

[Cham]

Nice job JeepGuy! I have a 3" pole I mounted the Stab HH120 (1m steel dish) and another stationary 90cm dish to. Since the pole was a bit short I extended it by adding a 2" galvenized water pipe about 2' long to the top and mounted the motor to that. Welded a bracket to the pole for the second stationary dish. Can't find pictures right now though for some reason... might have to take some! (just added one...)

 

[Radioguy41]

Nice job. They actually sell an adaptor pipe that inserts into the top of a 3" C-band pole but unfortunately there's something already inserted into the top of mine, a shaved down 4x4 that holds one end of my 75' longwire SW antenna.

 

[armadillo_115]

Jeepguy: I would not want a dish on the same pole with a Random Length Wire Antenna due to static build-up.FWIW
(True LongWire = 3 or more wavelenghts @ frequency.)

My advice is free...and worth every penny charged.lol

 

[Radioguy41]

The antenna is fully grounded. Any possible static is immediately disipated. If you build it right possible static electricity buildup is not a problem.

 

[armadillo_115]

I was always taught by old hams that there was no such thing as static immediately discharging ...even the best conductor has a resistance factor.Having the dish close to that wire is like mounting it near a lightning rod,to my thinking.Just so you are aware of the potential.

I've also heard them argue about whether lightning rods protected or endangered your house.Most concluded that a lightning rod was good protection...If you mounted it on the next door neighbors house.lol

Anywho...I got way off topic.I like the way you off-set those mount bolt.

 

[spongella]

Not sure if it would help but I found by making these spacers, the individual U brackets tend to stay in alignment better.

 

[RimaNTSS]

In reality, it is not too hard to make clamps yourselves. Those will not allow antenna turning around the pole. If needed, additional screw can go throw hole in the clamp (circled red) and the main pipe. And, yes, clamps will never rust, as material is INOX

 

[spongella]

You're tops RimaNTSS when it comes to innovation and metalworking, nice clamps!

 

[Magic Static]

I have dealt with the weakness in those ku motors before. In this thread I stiffen the bracket to avoid misalignment when tightening the mount.
http://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/threads/beefing-up-the-sg2100-bracket.258050/
Some of the best things about the FTA hobby is getting together and sharing ideas. I have picked up a lot of little tricks and techniques here