Channel Master 1.2m Install

[Costactc]

I have decided that the results of my testing were sufficient enough for me to install my Channel Master 1.2m dish. I will be posting many pics of the dig and install which will begin in 2 weeks time. I know my wife isn't too pleased about it but she will get used to it in time. I have an 8' pole in the garage from a previous install and its thickness is 3 1/2"- the dish will not be going anywhere with a pole that size. Can't wait:


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[Costactc]

I hadn't realised that I had added an attachment to the pole and the top section is 3", which will make it easier to mod the motor attachment. I just applied the first coat of rust paint and will dig a hole of at least 3' for the frost line:

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[sadass]

that looks amazing, nice and clean , im sure your neighbours are realy asking question ,,, i know mine are always giving me the look...

[Costactc]

I had the hot tub removed from my deck so that's what the delay was about. Lex managed to nodify the clamps that will be required as the pole is 3" and the motor clamps are only 2 1/2". As you will notice, there are interior holes for a 2 1/2" clamp. The hole will be dug tomorrow, hoping to get as close as I can to 4' deep:


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[Costactc]

Unfortunately this dig was not as successful as previous ones. I kept hitting rock after rock and hit an extremely large one that I couldn't remove. The rock prevented my post digger from doing full rotations, 2 hours later and energy totally spent, I managed to get to 2 1/2' which will allow for about 5 1/2 feet of pole from the ground. I was hoping for at least 3 1/2' but there was no way to remove that rock so it will have to do. Not the clearest picture but my tape measure is at 30", hopefully the weight of the concrete will be enough and not require supports:


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[Costactc]

Post is in the ground:

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[Costactc]

The weather was great this morning and Lex and I finally installed the Channel Master 1.2m dish. I scanned in all sats from 72-125w without any issues but couldn't get signal quality on Hispasat at 30w. I will continue until my whole arc is scanned in. The limits on heavy duty were only 25 degrees so continuous adjustments were required. Once I have finished the arc all that remains is to pass the positioner wire to my family room in the basement.


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[eastof111]

Nice 4th of July present!

[Costactc]

I screwed up the site survey though. My pole is too close to my 10' bud, the 1,2m dish needs to be at 72w or further east for me to avoid contact.....:headbang::stressed:

[eastof111]

Bummer.... depending on how much clearance you need, an easy way out would be to weld a same diameter pole east of the existing planted pole. May not look pretty but it would save a lot of work.

[Costactc]

Bummer.... depending on how much clearance you need, an easy way out would be to weld a same diameter pole east of the existing planted pole. May not look pretty but it would save a lot of work.

Good idea East but I'll just keep the smaller dish parked accordingly.

[Costactc]

Lex is such a stickler for perfection that we will be adding a piece to the pole with clamps to ensure the distance between the 10' and 4' dishes.

[eastof111]

Good to have a partner in these circumstances.

[Costactc]

We will be adding the clamps and pole addition today. Lex is incredible, he reminds me of Magyver.

[Costactc]

The job is complete. All sats from 15-125w scan in with excellent signal quality. The addition of the side pole now allows for spacing amongst the 3 dishes. Here are some pics of the addition and the dish is pointing at Hispasat at 30w:


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[eastof111]

Looking good......

[easily confused]

Very nice, Costa!

[mengram]

Looking good Costa.

[Costactc]

I decided to test the western arc this morning, especially the ever elusive Eutelsat 117(SatMex) where i have never been able to scan in more then a couple of channels. With the exception of a 5 channel tp which scanned in on both polarities, 19 unencrypted channels scanned in. The Channel Master 1.2m dish is by far the best ku dish I have ever tested and kicks the Fortec butt.


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[ftanut]

Costactc

nice looking setup, I also have 1.2M type Channel-Master dish that I would like to motorized. Can you tell me what motor are you using on that dish.

I have tried to do what you have done, but have not been able to find the right motor for it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Costactc]

I purchased the motor on ebay.uk but I'm not sure if they are still for sale. It moves the dish flawlessly but is a bit noisy. This is the motor I'm using:

technisat cx-5000 motor

[skink]

How is that Technisat H-H motor working out after a year of use Costactc?

[Costactc]

How is that Technisat H-H motor working out after a year of use Costactc?

Still noisy but working relatively spot on. I do have to nudge the dish once in a while so I'm not sure if it's the motor or my vbox positioner. Moves the dish flawlessly and I could see it being strong enough to move a 1.8m as well.

[skink]

That's good to hear.When are you going to try it on a 1.8m?If it could handle a 1.8m,that would be something!

[Costactc]

I have 6 dishes so I'm at my max. There will be no future installs.