Patriot 1.2 meter dish with CM polar mount

[raydio]

Assembled the CM polar mount with aluminum adapter plate and mounted on Patriot 1.2 meter dish. This baby really moves now. East to West extremes in about 10 seconds or less. Had a heck of a time getting it set up and tracking the arc properly as this was the first polar mount that I have set-up before, but I can see PAS 9 to ANIK F-1 reliably. I really miss USALS because with the BUD actuator and V-box you have to use 1.2...cool thing is that you can really fine tune in each sat with the buttons on the V-Box. The aluminum adapter plate is temporary as it is the only thing I could find at Lowes that was suitable. Will be going with 1/8" steel plate when I find the time.

 

[Cascade]

This is what you need

 

[Dishpointer]

Looks good. I Haven't had time to do anything this weekend. I hope to be tracking this week.

 

[drhydro]

Thats a very nice setup cascade, ill bet it would work perfectly for my p* :-D

 

[PopcornNMore]

How are you controlling the actuator? Do they sell actuators that are controlled with 1.2 using a single RF cable?

 

[Dishpointer]

He is using a DP 710 V-Box controller. PSB has them for $36.

 

[CharredPC]

I SO have to do this. My Sg2100 just cried and refused to go East for me. Removing the Patriot makes it act normal again, I think the weight is just killing it. Ok, I KNOW the weight is killing it

Need to find a cheap polar mount and actuator... you can still save positions using the v-box and 1.2, right? Not having USALS won't bother me, I never have USALS

 

[PopcornNMore]

What type of cable does the DP 710 V-Box controller use to control the actuator? Does anyone have a picture of the back panel on the DP 710 V-Box controller that they could show us?
What size actuator arm did you use rayydio?

 

[CharredPC]

Ok, I think this goes in this thread Move me if not!

My work-area is as attached. I'm trying to figure out the perfect mounting method in this location. I have an idea for it, and would love some advice... I have a 1.2m Patriot, much too heavy for my SG2100, so I'm getting an actuator, V-box, and polar mount. The V-box I'm getting from PSB becuase he rocks and has it cheap The actuator can be had from ebay for under $40, but I'm stumped on where to get the polar mount from. That's one problem. The next problem is the actual mounting. The shed is very sturdy, and I keep thinking that a tripod deal, braced to the house for extra measure perhaps, would be ideal for my MicroBUD. But all the tripods I find on ebay are flimsy and made for DBS dishes. To remind everyone, sinking a pole into cement in the yard doesn't work in my situation. This is the only viable location until we move (someday).

In the meantime, I took the setup in the picture down. While the pole worked fine as shown in good weather, the wind picked up tonight and I decided I didn't trust it, too much movement. Yes, I convinced the neighbors I was nuts again, scampering up in an oncoming storm, carefully lowering my dish to the ground...

 

[raydio]

What type of cable does the DP 710 V-Box controller use to control the actuator? Does anyone have a picture of the back panel on the DP 710 V-Box controller that they could show us?
What size actuator arm did you use rayydio?

I used an 18" actuator and 4 conductor telephone wire. Telephone wire is cheap...06/ft and I have not had a problem with it so far.

 

[raydio]

Ok, but I'm stumped on where to get the polar mount from. That's one problem. The next problem is the actual mounting. :

The polar mount is available for less that 75.00 from Dow Electronics and that includes Fedex shipping! I do not think you could get a polar mount cheaper than that. I think that you present location would work. Take down your present pipe and subsitute a 3" pipe perhaps half the length of the present pipe as the CM polar mount takes a 3" pipe. somehow secure the bottom of the pipe to your shed and then secure to your overhang like you already have done. Don't forget windload, that dish really catches the wind! Perhaps sinking the pipe in concrete and straping it next to your shed?

 

[CharredPC]

Thanks for the info, rayydio! Now, do they take Paypal at Dow Electronics?

Any hints on where to find a good thick 3" pipe? Maybe Lowe's or Home Depot?
Also, any thoughts on securing the bottom to the shed and overhang? I actually used one of the old side-clamp mounts upright on the shed, and slid the pole right over it... very temporary solution, though. If you look close, you can see I used an existing J-mount foot, a peice of wood and a bolt to affix the pole to the overhang. It held it pretty sturdy... except the pole could turn under enough wind! A tripod still sounds so much easier, but looks like I'll have to give up; can't find one sturdy enough.

 

[dfergie]

Might try a salvage yard also for the 3" pipe... When I put in my second BUD thats where I got the pipe from...

 

[drhydro]

Filling the pipe with cement will make it a lot less flexible, and is always recommended for c band installation. It might be overkill in this case, but better safe than sorry ;-)

 

[vj9999]

I'll post some pictures tonight or tomorrow of my dish. Last weekend I poured conrete and set a 10 foot 2 3/8" schedule 40 pipe. It is a liitle more than 3 1/2 feet in the ground and about 6 1/2 feet above the ground.

I cut the bottom in 45 degrees angle and als put 2 threaded rods through in 90 degrees angle to prevent from turning. I poured the concrete down the pole as well. It still flexes a bit if I shake it by hand, but otherwise it seems very sturdy.

I have my 1.2m Fortec on it and it works great so far (it's been up since Sunday).

 

[CharredPC]

The polar mount is available for less that 75.00 from Dow Electronics and that includes Fedex shipping! I do not think you could get a polar mount cheaper than that.

How did you go about ordering from Dow Electronics? Their website seems to list locations, and has a catalogue, but no prices. Is there a number to call, or did I find the wrong place?

 

[Dishpointer]

Call the number listed under Tampa - Commercial Satellites. The part number is: 611603302

 

[CharredPC]

HERE is what I've decided...

If I can find the proper stuff (namely, the uber-thick pole) I've decided on a mounting plan. I've seen about 4 examples of this within a few blocks of my house, so I know it's feasable. If I can find a 3" thick or better pole, I'll sink it in the ground next to the shed and/or house, affix it on, and mount my MicroBUD on top. With a setup like that, if the neighbors or park owner doesn't throw a tantrum, I may eventually upgrade to a 180cm dish! Now that I'm getting a v-box, actuator, and polar mount... why not? Still don't think I could get away with a 12' BUD, but I can dream.

Only issue is finding a good thick pipe to use. I went down to Home Depot today and all they had is 1.5" aluminum garbage that would be possibly suitable for DBS installations. I keep thinking that this type of piping looks like old-style plumbing pipe, but of course nowadays Home Depot only carries plastic drainpiping. So where do I get this thick stuff? (Please don't tell me to ship it, I need a 8ft peice, lol!)

Attached are two photos I just took from the satellite shop up the road. I have no respect for them becuase they only sell Dish and DTV stuff, don't understand or know about FTA, downtalk to me, and (worst of all!) both the BUD's on their store aren't even in use!! lol... but the type of install I want to create is done twice there.

Oh, and I have a Paypal debit card on the way that works like a credit card (Yay, thanks for the heads-up, Cascade!) so I'm ordering the polar mount with that shortly.

 

[Tron]

BUD abuse!

And I don't mean beer....

 

[greyskies]

Try Local Plumbing Supply Store for 3"OD Piping or Larger

Only issue is finding a good thick pipe to use. I went down to Home Depot today and all they had is 1.5" aluminum garbage that would be possibly suitable for DBS installations. I keep thinking that this type of piping looks like old-style plumbing pipe, but of course nowadays Home Depot only carries plastic drainpiping. So where do I get this thick stuff? (Please don't tell me to ship it, I need a 8ft peice, lol!).

Hey CharredPC:

I am still doing my research and considering changing out my measly 75cm hotdish for a 1m - 1.2m dish (problem is HOA might challenge anything over 1.0m), and went to HD myself. My current mast is a 2"OD galvanized steel pipe, threaded on bottom so that I could screw into a steel flange (circular piece of steel looks somewhat like a collar), which I had bolted onto my concrete patio.

Yesterday, needed to get new vacuum cleaner for kids since their pet's fur, food and poop pellets had clogged up existing unit and burnt out the motor (AGAIN!!!!!) So, I decided to go to HD and purchase a Wet Vac so that I could use it for cleaning the garage as well as the carpeting in the house.

After finding a Wet Vac, I went looking to see if they carry 3"OD pipe, I ran into an employee who is also a firefighter who I used to represent. He told me that they do not carry anything larger in their stores, so he could not even special order anything for me larger than 2"OD. Since we had previously been attorney and client, he took considerable time to work with me in order to understand why I wanted that size piping, and suggested that I visit the local plumbing supply store, where I should be able to get piping in 3"OD or much larger sizes, for less cost per inch than even the modest price that HD charges.

Just an idea, but do a google search in your area for the local plumbing supply store, and you should be able to get galvanized steel or other metallic piping in 3"OD.

greyskies in sunny South Florida