Advice Needed Received a Channel Master 1.2m - slight damage to face & what are my motor options

[Manikm909]

is it safe to Jetwash a CM dish ?

 

[nelson_b]

is it safe to Jetwash a CM dish ?

I,v jetwashed c.m. dishes without any damage to them ... if you are jetwashing the back of the dish you will need very good waterproof clothing + goggles ... because of splash back from the reinforcing ribbing ... you "will" get very wet - l.o.l.

 

[ozumo]

I wouldn't. Any slight damage could flake off.

 

[Manikm909]

i think i'll just use a weak bleach solution and sponge then - and then i'll paint it

 

[Manikm909]

damage to dish face - what damage...

 

[mafftalks]

Once I made the special tool to replace the jack. It does not only replace it but also allows fast tuning to the arc. It only takes coup,le of seconds to move antenna H-H. Went outside and made a couple of pictures. View attachment 136372View attachment 136373

For sure, aluminum 1.2m antenna will have same gain as 1.2m Channel Master. Assuming both antennas have properly installed LNBs and their illumination angles fit the opening angles of the antennas. But, after some time aluminum antennas tend to lose their perfect shapes and therefore the gain will drop. Channel Master will always stay in the same perfect shape. So, CM is always better choise.

I Have to agree with RimaNTSS on what he says about the life time of the Fibreglass Channel Master Dish 1.2, I had mine way back in approx year 2000, The dish is still in a great condition and it has had two 24" Jager super Jacks replaced, 20 years plus, So i have to say it is worth every penny spent.

regards mafftalks

 

[Manikm909]

just picked up about 30m of 6 core cable for 10 quid

now just need actuator and vbox!!! 24 inch i think i'll go for

 

[RimaNTSS]

24 inch i think i'll go for

18 inch is more than enough for 1.2m CM. Even 12 inch works OK.

 

[Manikm909]

thanks - will that get a nice wide arc tho, 60e to 58w ?

 

[mafftalks]

@manikm909

Reading all you said about the small crack in the dish, take in consideration that you could repair that crack with a simple fibraglass kit they use for cars, many sell these kits, so if you are going to respray the dish with a new coat of paint spray then repair the crack first & then use the spray that is like a plastic based spray these can be found also in many shops that sell all types of paint. My honest opinion is go for it all and get that dish working again, You will not regret it.

 

[RimaNTSS]

will that get a nice wide arc tho, 60e to 58w ?

Arc you can get does not depend on size of the actuator used. In fact, the maximum arc depends on construction of the polar mount and points where actuaror connects to it. CM actuator allows getting almost H-H arc.

 

[Manikm909]

@manikm909

Reading all you said about the small crack in the dish, take in consideration that you could repair that crack with a simple fibraglass kit they use for cars, many sell these kits, so if you are going to respray the dish with a new coat of paint spray then repair the crack first & then use the spray that is like a plastic based spray these can be found also in many shops that sell all types of paint. My honest opinion is go for it all and get that dish working again, You will not regret it.

done all that mate. thanks though.

just cleaned her up ready for painting

you can see her battle scar

 

[Manikm909]

About to sort out the polar mount

 

[Manikm909]

dish and polar mount first coat done (runny paint on the polar mount) the water based spray on dish is much nicer!!!

 

[Manikm909]

my last paint can failed! argh, so got to wait for another to turn up.... one coat done on the rear now.

 

[antrabe]

Exist the 1.8m motorished channel master? i could buy second use but fixed mount i should buy the polar mount.

The weight could be an inconvenience because the shipment has to be expensive maybe is 100kg.

 

[Manikm909]

think im actually gonna do the polar mount in grey now - the white paint was so runny and crap

 

[Manikm909]

18 inch is more than enough for 1.2m CM. Even 12 inch works OK.

assuming i have room at the back of the dish, is there any downside to not going for 24" jack instead of 18" - cost isnt much different.

do i need heavy duty if i went 24" ? or is heavy duty only really for bigger heavier dishes

 

[RimaNTSS]

24-inch will turn antenna slower than 18-inch. Using 24-inch will add more strength to the system, but, as I've said earlier, 18-inch is enough for 1.2m CM dish.

 

[Manikm909]

Thanks @RimaNTSS but for 20 quid difference, surely the 24 is the wiser choice, over the 18?