Mounting Poles

[GutBomb]

Ok, I know this isn't exclusively FTA but The guys I trust hang out here so hopefully you'll be able to help me. I've moved to a new apartment and the balcony faces south however there is now an overhang that makes mounting the dish on the standard mounting pole impossible. actually I can mount it but getting a signal is impossible because the overhang blocks out half of the dish.

I saw another apartment in the same complex as mine with the same overhang with 2 directv dishes up there. Instead of mounting the way I had before with the included mounting arm, they had a pole that was stright up from the railing instead of going back and then up.

I already know my 30" is a lost cause and is going to have to go into storage until I move into a house, but I still need my DirecTV dish because I have 6 months left on my contract with them.

My plan is to go to lowes tonight and get the pole (and u-bolts I need to hold the pole to the balcony railing) but I do not know what diameter of pole I need, and I am not going to be able to get home before going to lowes. Can anyone tell me the proper diameter for a directv dish mounting pole?

Also if you guys have any other ideas or solutions to my predicament I am all ears

 

[PSB]

DirecTV use 1 11/16" or 1 5/8"

There are special mounts for this purpose but the pole and clamp idea will save some $.

http://www.satelliteinno.com/nav.php?page=products-srm-info

 

[GutBomb]

thanks PSB you rock. I am so upset that I'll have to put FTA on hold for a while. I was just getting hooked on all those feeds. The racing and College Football feeds in particular.

 

[PSB]

That is tough! I have had the same problem in the past : ( And face it often when I am asked to install where there are overhangs! I have lost more installs to overhangs than trees and buildings!

 

[GutBomb]

I called a pipe place and they asked the diameter and i said 1 5/8ths. they said "oh that's a 1 1/4th on the inside. he said that pipes are always measured from the inside rather than the outside. I just wanted to make sure he's correct because I can find TONS of 1 1/4th inch pipe around. i couldn;t find anybody carrying 1 5/8ths inch.

 

[PSB]

I alway use the O/Dia. but I think they do list it as the I.Dia. I just measure the O/Dia. when I buy it.

 

[GutBomb]

$18 and 20 minutes of my time and it worked perfectly! I got the pipe (1 1/4" galvanized steel) and u-bolts to hold it up against my railing at Lowes. Now I get a perfect signal on all 3 directv sats. (90+). I'll have to go back and get another and another 18" dish because directv finally is offering my locals here. thanks for your help.