Channel Master/Laminas 1.8m project

[Captain Jack]

Shame it's not my field

 

[Captain Jack]

There is so much more I want to do to this installation along with other mini-projects (refurbishing several 1224 motors, stand improvement etc. etc.) but I just don't. have. the. time. Spent this weekend painting our newly installed doors in the house, next weekend I am working along with Mother's Day duties on Sunday, the following weekend I am away from home altogether... and obviously there's a day job on weekdays. How do people get anything done on their many projects?

 

[moonbase]

...there's a day job on weekdays. How do people get anything done on their many projects?

They retire.....

Or work from home where they can nip away for the occasional skive on a satellite project.


Rgds

 

[Captain Jack]

I work from home as well but my day starts at 8 and finishes at whenever people stop bugging me. 12 hour days aren't uncommon.

Long time to retirement yet.

 

[Channel Hopper]

I recently left a job that was an average 13 hour a day, into one that is just over nine, including the commute. Whatever time that should now be mine has been assimilated into the needs of a growing family.

 

[Hakon]

Interesting , did you try with the Laminas Feedhorn on the Laminas 1,8m ?
In my installation it was the best result with the Laminas Feedhorn and Invacom C120 Quad LNB, a little better than the Inverto Black Ultra Twin.

 

[Captain Jack]

Thanks for the info. No, I didn't try the freeborn. From my understanding, it's the same as the Gibertini one. I did try a CM feedhorn but results weren't as good. Best one was the GI LNB.

It works well with C band in multi feed arrangement.

 

[Captain Jack]

My neighbours, without prompting, have trimmed (though not chopped down) their sprouting apple tree, which has opened up enough room for me to lock 55E! Sadly, nothing beyond that - was hoping for 57E but their evergreen is still much too much in the way for that.

 

[aceb]

While it's all newly cut and not familiar in its new shape and size, commando raid tonight and take a bit more off

 

[PaulR]

... commando raid tonight ...

Sans underpants?

 

[Captain Jack]

And with that I also managed to scan in some C band TI2-MI transponders on 53E. Right on the edge but break-free:

 

[Captain Jack]

While it's all newly cut and not familiar in its new shape and size, commando raid tonight and take a bit more off

Ha! Well, to be honest, more chopping of the said tree won't help any more. The issue will be in the future when it will no doubt resprout at some point.

The other issue is the evergreen - it doesn't seem to be growing any more (I think it's 30+ years) but is definitely in the way of 55E onwards.

 

[blademedia]

My neighbours, without prompting, have trimmed (though not chopped down) their sprouting apple tree, which has opened up enough room for me to lock 55E! Sadly, nothing beyond that - was hoping for 57E but their evergreen is still much too much in the way for that.

View attachment 105272

Nice catch, anything from the Russian beam ?.

 

[Captain Jack]

A couple of data streams but I suspect those are on Northern beam. This is the only interesting transponder I get from 55E.

 

[blademedia]

Thanks

 

[Captain Jack]

While reworking the pole converter, made a few more bits - mounting for the declination actuator along with U shaped brackets for stabilising the whole thing.

The box section is the er.... arm for the actuator. My current 'layered' arm of several bits of metal makes the thing a bit flimsy, so decided to just go with this.

All will be galvanised.

 

[moonbase]

While reworking the pole converter, made a few more bits - mounting for the declination actuator along with U shaped brackets for stabilising the whole thing.
The box section is the er.... arm for the actuator. My current 'layered' arm of several bits of metal makes the thing a bit flimsy, so decided to just go with this.
All will be galvanised.
View attachment 105935

CJ,

Lots of bolt holes there, I would have though that the welding gear would have been all over this job?

Rgds

 

[Captain Jack]

I could have welded *some* of it but I need some of them to be adjustable/rotatable.

I did think about welding the "arm" to the PM but the PM is galvanised and the process would vapourise the zinc coating, leaving metal bare. I could paint it but... it already has holes! There are also zinc oxide fumes to consider that, if inhaled, can cause short term adverse effects on health (headache, fever etc.) Better be safe than ill!

 

[Captain Jack]

As we are getting our garden returfed soon, I thought I'd do something about the base of the dish to make it look somewhat better. So I laid some bricks around it. The top of the brick is about an inch above the base, so I am going to level it with yet more concrete and paint the top green.

I know the brickwork itself is crap. Not straight and probably won't hold any bricks but it's my first attempt and it's not structurally relevant, so no biggy. Doesn't help that the fking cat keeps walking on it while it's still curing!

 

[samoloko]

Hi Captain Jack,
can you show us where are you using that parts

While reworking the pole converter, made a few more bits - mounting for the declination actuator along with U shaped brackets for stabilising the whole thing.

The box section is the er.... arm for the actuator. My current 'layered' arm of several bits of metal makes the thing a bit flimsy, so decided to just go with this.

All will be galvanised.

View attachment 105935