Pole Mount Slimline 3 lnb - pole size question?

[iafirebuff]

I will be moving our Directv Slimline 3 lnb dish to a ground/pole mount. I have found a 2" 5' mast online for about $30 shipped. Locally I can find a 1 5/8 galv. steel fence post in 6' length for $12. I would like to have the post in the ground at least 2' and I would fill the post with concrete (hole and post). I was thinking of wrapping the top part of the post with metal tape to make it fit the 2" that the dish requires. Anyone have any comments on this setup good or bad? THANK YOU for any advice!

 

[Hutch1814]

I personally would self tap it. You're beat options is to get the pole you need entirely but with what you're working with I would throw some 3/8 self tappers in it and make sure it's solid

 

[Jimbo]

Go to the local fence post company.
They will have one very close to 2" - 1 7/8th, I use self taps as well once it's in position.

 

[dishrich]

Locally I can find a 1 5/8 galv. steel fence post in 6' length for $12. I would like to have the post in the ground at least 2' and I would fill the post with concrete (hole and post). I was thinking of wrapping the top part of the post with metal tape to make it fit the 2" that the dish requires. Anyone have any comments on this setup good or bad?

I think this is a BAD idea - get the correct OD pipe & be done with it! You should be able to easily find the correct sized pipe at your fence co. or some other hardware/home supply store. The slimline dish needs a (very) sturdy mounting pipe & doing that "pole wrapping" thing is not my idea of such.

 

[Daddy Dithers]

2" outside diameter pipe available at muffler shops or quality auto parts stores in lengths to 10 ft.

 

[Jimbo]

2" outside diameter pipe available at muffler shops or quality auto parts stores in lengths to 10 ft.

But it's not gonna be as sturdy, I would think.

I used 16 ft. galvanized from the local fence company.
Btw, the local Home Depot / Lowes doesn't carry that size.

 

[iafirebuff]

THANKS for the tips! I will try a fence company.

 

[coinmaster32]

I don't really like steel posts. The un galvanized ones rust easily. The galvanized ones look odd and are hard to paint.

Why don't you just put a 4x4 treated post into cement, then mount the dish on it?

 

[iafirebuff]

I had thought of that, but I need to get the dish and pole as close to my house to clear the neighbor's garage. I only have a small swatch that I have LOS (other than in the middle of my front yard - would not look good). I also want to stay off the roof.

 

[coinmaster32]

Then why don't you just install the dish on the side of the house if possible?

 

[raoul5788]

Why don't you just put a 4x4 treated post into cement, then mount the dish on it?

Very bad idea. The post will warp eventually.

 

[raoul5788]

I will be moving our Directv Slimline 3 lnb dish to a ground/pole mount. I have found a 2" 5' mast online for about $30 shipped. Locally I can find a 1 5/8 galv. steel fence post in 6' length for $12. I would like to have the post in the ground at least 2' and I would fill the post with concrete (hole and post). I was thinking of wrapping the top part of the post with metal tape to make it fit the 2" that the dish requires. Anyone have any comments on this setup good or bad? THANK YOU for any advice!

Two feet isn't deep enough. Dig at least to the frost line in your area.

 

[iafirebuff]

I would have alum. siding so I don't want to mount to the side - I thought i read that they do not recommend mounting the dish to the side of a house as it weighs 42 lbs?

 

[coinmaster32]

Um. How would aluminum siding make any difference? I had a dish on aluminum siding for quite a while with no issue.

I've seen plenty of slimlines mounted to the side of a house. The entire dish with mast, foot and 5 sat LNB only weighs 25 pounds, add 5 pounds for the struts.

As far as the 4x4, I've seen several dishes mounted to them with no issue. I've never in my life seen a 4x4 warp.

 

[Hutch1814]

Um. How would aluminum siding make any difference? I had a dish on aluminum siding for quite a while with no issue.

I've seen plenty of slimlines mounted to the side of a house. The entire dish with mast, foot and 5 sat LNB only weighs 25 pounds, add 5 pounds for the struts.

As far as the 4x4, I've seen several dishes mounted to them with no issue. I've never in my life seen a 4x4 warp.

I love seeing them on a 4X4! "I haven't had a problem but now I can get my locals" walk around and BOOM! There's the 4X4! I see it all too much, you're best bet is to stick with a pole. I'm not sure if it warps or what exactly happens but it always seems to be loose and the dish begins to wiggle itself after a year or so. I wish I could explain how it happens but i can't, as far as the siding goes you'd be safe to do it just make sure you're far enough up for when you're mowing or walking next to the house or something. Of you're trying to stick with a pole make sure the rain doesn't run off the roof exactly where that dish sits, just more rain fade you can prevent

 

[coinmaster32]

It would be much better if you can to mount on the side of the house. A slimline dish on a 5 foot pole will move a bit in sharp wind. During times of high wind days, I would often loose signal.

 

[Jimbo]

I would have alum. siding so I don't want to mount to the side - I thought i read that they do not recommend mounting the dish to the side of a house as it weighs 42 lbs?

As long as you use the braces that come with it, it wouldn't be a problem.

The issue with siding is it is suppose to be able to MOVE on the house for weather (expanding and contracting) Most don't worry about it and I would have no problem with it on my house....
If you want to do it that way you can always buy a block for the siding , like they do for light fixtures and mount it that way.

 

[iafirebuff]

Thanks! I will explore the side of the house option - If that is possible than I know I will have the proper height for LOS

 

[Jimbo]

It would be much better if you can to mount on the side of the house. A slimline dish on a 5 foot pole will move a bit in sharp wind. During times of high wind days, I would often loose signal.

Your not peaked very well then ....

I can go out and shake the pole and get the dish wablling and not lose signal.

 

[iafirebuff]

I don't worry much about the wind as the pole would be in cement, next to the house and 4' or so off the ground. I have a 3" motorized Ku band FTA dish mounted on a post in the ground about 20" into cement. Post is filled in cement and I can't get it to wobble either. It is solid.