Multi LNB Set up on a Sky Dish

[ozumo]

Thanks, but I'm not sure I've fully understood that. At the moment, looking at the dish from the back, the horziontal bar is on the left side of the dish. Does that mean the dish would have higher elevation for eastern satellites, and lower for western satellites?

Rise to the east, lower to the west.

 

[jeallen01]

Rise to the east, lower to the west.

Causing more problems than it's worth, IMHO - especially for someone who is new to setting up steerable dishes.

 

[Offtensive]

So would my only issue be that I would need to consider the lower point of the dish when looking at the line of sight for western sats, or would I also have to make adjustments in how much the motor turns too etc?

 

[ozumo]

It will track the arc but because it is offset you will gain elevation on one side, and lose elevation at the other, depending on which side the bar is mounted to the dish.

Just to note - when I say elevation I meant dish height, the actual elevation angle remains the same as if the dish was mounted centrally.

 

[ozumo]

So would my only issue be that I would need to consider the lower point of the dish when looking at the line of sight for western sats, or would I also have to make adjustments in how much the motor turns too etc?

All motor settings are exactly the same as a dish that's mounted centrally.

 

[ozumo]

Causing more problems than it's worth, IMHO - especially for someone who is new to setting up steerable dishes.

Apart from modifying the bar to make the dish mount centrally is there any other option?

 

[jeallen01]

Apart from modifying the bar to make the dish mount centrally is there any other option?

Forget using that Zone 1 dish, and, instead, use either a Zone 2 dish or a "traditional" "vertical-elliptical" dish - maybe even that relatively small TRIAX that @Offtensive has unfortunately acquired as it might not be quite so "challenging" as the larger TRIAX ones, or else/later get something more "installer friendly" (much advice to be found on this forum!).

 

[Offtensive]

Yes but the poles would be very close to each other. I would use something like this where you could use nuts to space the poles apart.

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I managed to get hold of a zone 2 dish at a good price, should arrive in a couple of days.

With these clamps, what spacing should I leave between them when putting them on the motor? And what size pole would you recommend to use to mount the zone 2 dish to this clamp?

Thanks

 

[ozumo]

I'd make the gap as small as possible. The standard pole for a zone 2 is 1.25" I believe. Measure the U-bolts it comes with to be sure.

 

[Offtensive]

Sorry, when I meant gap, I meant to say the spacing between the two clamps on the motor arm.

Would I want the zone 2 dish to sit between the two clamps (a), or can it be above/below them (b)?

 

[ozumo]

Option A - the further the clamps are apart the sturdier it will be, but in reality there's probably little difference with a small dish & short pole.

 

[Offtensive]

Just been having a look at the poles, both 1.25" and 2". They seem to be slightly longer than what I need.

How easy are they to cut with a hacksaw or other hand tools? I do have an angle grinder and reciprocating saw, but I'd prefer to use a non powered tool.

Also, how long do you think un galvanised tk brackets should last for? The reason behind that is, my current tv aerial was put up about 16 years ago. Just had a look at the tk brackets on there the other day, and they do seem to have a fair amount of rust. I'm wondering whether they need to be changed too. The aerial is up quite high, so I'll need to get a long enough ladder if that needs to be changed too.

 

[Gladstones]

Use zinc galvanised spray paint on t&k brackets
It’s £5.99 @screwfix
It’s easy to hand cut pole with sturdy hand
Use end pole cap to hide the uneven cut.

 

[jeallen01]

Use zinc galvanised spray paint on t&k brackets
It’s £5.99 @screwfix
It’s easy to hand cut pole with sturdy hand
Use end pole cap to hide the uneven cut.

Cutting:

Yes, easy if the poles are aluminium but very hard if they are steel !
- in which case use the appropriate Dewalt blades (they last, cheap ones don't!) in the reciprocating saw (assuming it's a decent powerful one), otherwise resort to the angle grinder.

 

[jeallen01]

Cutting:

Yes, easy if the poles are aluminium but very hard if they are steel !
- in which case use the appropriate Dewalt blades (they last, cheap ones don't!) in the reciprocating saw (assuming it's a decent powerful one), otherwise resort to the angle grinder.

OTOH, nowadays my choice would be a dedicated rotary metal "chopsaw"/ "cutoff saw" / "compound mitre saw" with a decent blade - such as, but not limited to, those shown on the MachineMart site

OTOH2, ref the latter type of saw, mine is a much cheaper Parkside one from LIDL - it'll probably do the job, but the motor might then "burn out" as did mine, but was then replaced f.o.c. (after a "long fight"!).

OTOH3, mine is great for most "less stressful" cutting jobs (like decapitating old HDDs and USB drives") and cutting wood - but I would now buy a much better one (and certainly a "sliding" type) should the need arise.

 

[Offtensive]

Thanks, for the smaller 1.25" pole I'll go with aluminium.

For the main 2" pole, will there be ,much of a difference between choosing steel or aluminium?

At the moment it will just be the zone 2 motorised dish. But eventually, I wouldn't mind adding a second bigger dish to the pole too that I would use for any feeds etc.

And further down the line, I could possibly add a second multi lnb dish on to the pole to support a second box.

I've seen a 16 gauge 10ft aluminium pole at cpc, which I am leaning towards as I won't have to cut it. Alternatively cpc has a 12ft steel pole, but I don't think that is galvanised.

 

[ozumo]

Scaffold pole all the way. How far is this pole going to extend above the top of the wall bracket?

 

[Offtensive]

Scaffold pole all the way. How far is this pole going to extend above the top of the wall bracket?

About 4ft above the top bracket. Is a scaffold pole just a standard steel pole or of specific size?

 

[ozumo]

About 4ft above the top bracket. Is a scaffold pole just a standard steel pole or of specific size?

Galvanised 48.3mm diameter with 4mm wall.

 

[Offtensive]

Thanks, do you know where to get a good one from at all? The ones I've seen are about £60 including delivery.