Batten Down The Hatches 2010/11

[sonnetpete]

Relatively calm here this morning. I haven't had a chance to pop outside and look at the dish yet though everything else seems to be where it should be (no flying wheelie bins). Meteo France seemed oblivious to the extreme conditions. Both last night and this morning, their 'severe weather' warning map only showed a yellow alert for this department, out of green, yellow, orange and red. A little understated I have to say since at one point last night I fully expected flying cows, (which would probably do more damage than a wheelie bin) though it would be nice if they had introduced this as a graphic on their warning map.

 

[Analoguesat]

A few branches on the road on the way into work this morning, loads of leaves everywhere and a wheeliebin perfectly placed to block the entrance to my workplace this morning

 

[Lazarus]

Self-evident.

 

[Lazarus]

Dish itself looks fine.

Failed to take account of how much water the rear surface was holding and got wet socks and jeans when I re-erected it.

Touch and go whether I can rescue that arm without it snapping when I bend it back.

 

[sonnetpete]

Ouch!!!

Shame the arm wasn't one of those 'folding' ones like I have on the TD88. Don't know whether it would be cheaper for you to find a new LNB arm or buy another dish should you not be able to straighten out the bent one.

A visual inspection of the Laminas and motor revealed nothing untoward, although I'm leaving any thought of realignment till the wind eases as it's picked up again slightly. My English (second home) neighbours have a green tarpaulin greenhouse thingy. It's now adorning the bushes at the back of their property. Excuse me while I fire up Thunderbird 2 to retrieve it!!

 

[Analoguesat]

Self-evident.

Oh dear that look rather sad.

 

[Lazarus]

Well at least the main wall-mounted 80cm Orbital Motorised is fine.

Still very windy though, but due to die away this morning. (That's "This moaning" to you, Pete. Allo Allo)

 

[Lazarus]

Oh dear that look rather sad.

It had to come - I knew that the sail effect on that dish was too great for the weight of the base, but relied upon its sheltered location to save me applying sand bags.

Unfortunately, everything has limits!

 

[2cvbloke]

Sum total of the damage round here, a few dislocated branches and a downed limb, and the compost bin lid went off for a walk again...

No visible relocated dishes round here though, I guess they were all either well shielded or well fitted...

 

[sonnetpete]

Weather forecast here indicates strong winds continuing until Saturday evening. Gusts up to 60kph, though I'm sure it was worse than that last night. I've 'parked' the dish at 5°E which is roughly edge on into the wind. It's wobbling like a page 3 girl delivering pizzas on a moped down a cobbled street but seems to be steady enough. I'll just have to cross my fingers!!

 

[Lazarus]

Just as well the Page 3 girl is merely a figment of your fertile imagination .............. or you'd be crossing more than your fingers.

 

[satelliteman]

Several TV aerials down in the village and a couple of dish alignments. Luckily nothing I've fitted

 

[Rick]

Just noticed Darwen Tower has lost it's dome ! Seems that got blown off last night !

 

[ian xtv]

well 2 fencing panels broke 6ftx6ft, Dish needs realigning again always does after strong to gale force winds. Also a TV aerial across the road blown down.

 

[hexah]

It had to come - I knew that the sail effect on that dish was too great for the weight of the base, but relied upon its sheltered location to save me applying sand bags.

Unfortunately, everything has limits!

A very painful looking faceplant.

A truly epic fail. :-Nooo

Just noticed Darwen Tower has lost it's dome ! Seems that got blown off last night !

Must have been an exceptionally stong gust, it was well bolted down. Looks like the Met Orifice got it wrong again. :toke:

Weather forecast here indicates strong winds continuing until Saturday evening. Gusts up to 60kph, though I'm sure it was worse than that last night. I've 'parked' the dish at 5°E which is roughly edge on into the wind. It's wobbling like a page 3 girl delivering pizzas on a moped down a cobbled street but seems to be steady enough. I'll just have to cross my fingers!!

Is it making a waka waka sound?

 

[Lazarus]

Well I've just straightened the arm and it seems to be back near focus, but the aluminium has split at the fulcrum, leaving it very weak indeed.

I've just E Mailed Triax to see if I can get a new arm. Linked to my pics above.

 

[satelliteman]

Doubt very much you'll get just the boom arm. Maybe a new dish required Gordon.

In the past here as a temp ground stand, I used 80mm coach bolts and bolted two slags on top of each other, goes nowhere.

Edit: slabs in mean, slip of the key

Think I'll leave it unedited, sounds better....

 

[Lazarus]

One can but ask ................. but if I can't get one, the dish won't be replaced. Scarcely used and taking up a lot of garden space.

Like the typo!

 

[hexah]

Perhaps a bit of wood would do the trick. O-Ha


Time for a Gibertini 1m and an Inverto black ultra (to replace the Orbital).

 

[Lazarus]

Perhaps a bit of wood would do the trick. O-Ha


Time for a Gibertini 1m and an Inverto black ultra.

Not a bad idea .............. but I'd get rid of the 80cm as well and just have one system (plus the separate 28E dish; Plus SWMBO's two private dishes)

Planning to move house early next year, so some simplification would not go amiss!


PS: My Firefox in-line speel chocker suggest "Gibberish" for "Gibertini"