Self-install advice

[new_berlin]

I am going to request DishN send an installer for me (I am a first-time customer, so standard installation is supposedly free.) But if a standard install won't work (it's possible because the dish will need to poke out the side of my balcony), I plan to do the installation myself.

Will the installer be willing to leave the equipment with me (for me to install myself) or is it necessary to have him do the job?

fyi, I am thinking of getting some kind of a L-shaped metal tube from Home Depot and mounting the dish on it. If there's a link or resource about this, I would appreciate a pointer.

Thanks again.

 

[SimpleSimon]

THis sounds like you're in an apartment and have a bit of a line of sight issue. Pictures would help, or at least a description of the obstruction.

How about your location (City & zipcode) so that the angles can be determined?

The installer is NOT likely to leave the equipment unless you're willing to sign off that it's a good install. His boss is gonna want paper or hardware back in the shop.

Finally, inventive mounting is possible, but without details, it's hard to advise. One thing - it's easiest if whatever the 'extension' is, it ends in a nice wood plate so that the standard mount can be bolted to it. There ARE many options, none of which are included in a standard install.

 

[boba]

The other thing you should be aware of is the apartment complexes rules for Satellite Dish installation. Most complexes in this area would not allow what you are describing. The dish generally is not allowed to extend beyond the patio.

 

[new_berlin]

Thanks Boba. Yes, I have an apartment facing north but it's a corner unit (north-west corner.) The western side of my balcony has a window like opening that has a clear view of the south and southwest sky if you poke your head out even a few inches. No obstructions at all.

A L-shaped pipe (with the small end of the L poking out west) could easily accommodate a dish pointing south. Haven't figured out how to bolt this pipe though because the apartment folks wont allow me to drill any holes or brackets into the wall. I might look for a metal sheet with a small claw kind-of like below to attach the pole to.
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Hope that makes sense. THe apartment office is okay as long as the dish is only poking out about a foot or two out the side of my balcony.

Worst thing is that my apartment is prewired to the roof but Qwest owns the freaking wiring, so they won't let me install the dish on the roof. Some people have managed it though, no idea how.

Any pointers to type of piping and other accessories would be helpful also.

 

[SimpleSimon]

I can think of 2-3 EASY ways to do this - assuming the angles are right, and the balcony/wall construction is right.

Location and pictures, please.

 

[new_berlin]

I can think of 2-3 EASY ways to do this - assuming the angles are right, and the balcony/wall construction is right.

Location and pictures, please.

Will try to upload some pics later today. Am not at home right now...
zip is 85260 scottsdaleAZ. Until I upload pics, here's a verbal description of the install site.

My balcony faces true north. The west facing balcony wall (stucco finish) has a rectangular hole (it's a window but no doors, glass, or anything) that begins 5 feet off the cement floor. The "window" is about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. The wall is about 6 inches thick. This window is my best and ONLY shot at the southern/southwestern sky.

The apt management won't even allow me to drill to snake the wire into the apt. But that's a minor hassle that I am willing to live with and deal with later.

Thanks again.

 

[new_berlin]

Here's a pic

The "window" and wall face the west (you are looking west through the window). So the dish will need to face to the left (south.)
Click on the picture to get a better view.

 

[SimpleSimon]

OK. Here's what I would do. it's a little hard to explain, but I'll give it a shot.

Start with an 10' piece of 2x6. Cut it into 2 2' and 2 3' pieces. Make a box with the 2' pieces as the top & bottom. I'd use screws instead of nails.

This gives you 6" on each side of the hole to hold the box in place. Maybe use indoor-outdoor carpet scraps to protect the stucco. Guide it into the hole at an angle and wedge it down. Now you have a 6" tall piece to mount the dish base.

Note that the measurements could get sticky - if there's not enough room to pre-assemble it, you might have to build it in-place.

But before you do all that, get a compass. The 110 bird is actually slightly east of true south (176) for your location. If you really are on a true north-south line this could be a problem - especially if there's a roof eave.

Magnetic Deviation for your location is 12 degrees east.

 

[new_berlin]

Thanks for the idea. I am now leaning towards a flat wooden board with two large metal U-clamps attached to it (I'm sure those should be available in a hardware store.) And the dish will mount on the wooden board. (I figure this will be sturdier and easier to construct that the three side box, though this idea also is based on what you described.)

More serious is whether the magnetic deviation means no signal for me. Guess only the installer can tell me for sure. If no signal, will plead with the apt management for roof access. Else my espn gameplan aspirations shall be put to rest this year.

Thanks.

 

[SimpleSimon]

I proposed the box so that the base board has less chance of twisting due to the weight of the dish. Basically, you need something as high or higher than the mounting base to prevent that. If I understand you, you intend to use upside-down U brackets, and without attaching them firmly to the wall, they will not have enough oomph to hold the dish in place. Consider the force vectors involved.

As for my solution, it's probably only 15-30 minutes work if you have the tools (circular saw, cordless drill, tape measure).

 

[new_berlin]

I proposed the box so that the base board has less chance of twisting due to the weight of the dish. Basically, you need something as high or higher than the mounting base to prevent that. If I understand you, you intend to use upside-down U brackets, and without attaching them firmly to the wall, they will not have enough oomph to hold the dish in place. Consider the force vectors involved.

As for my solution, it's probably only 15-30 minutes work if you have the tools (circular saw, cordless drill, tape measure).

SimpleSimon,
I think I see what you mean. The clamps will probably not work if there's a lot of wind...

Going back to your earlier post describing the box solution: You are suggesting I make a box (with four sides, which will be 6" high) and will lie on the window "sill" and the dish gets mounted on one of the box's sides. Is this right? But I don't understand how the box gets held in place. Clearly I am missing something because I am imagining a rectangular wooden-frame. If you have some time, can you give your description one more go. THanks a lot.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Yes, it's kind of a square wooden tube. The inside and outside sides are 12" (give or take) longer than the top & bottom - 6" at each end. Those are the parts that will grab the sides of the window hole. Measurements depend on the exact size of the hole. The dish base screws to the outside - that gives you a little more 'reach' - and leaves the top free to put stuff on.

Note that due to the twisting effect, the weight of the dish is transferred to the top edges of the inside piece. I also suggest bolting the outside and inside pieces together as opposed to relying on just screws.