I like the move it myself idea. If I choose to retain DTV that will probably be the route I choose. Any more detail on what kind of pole to mount the dish to? Would the trunk of a very large tree (So large and so close to the ground that I'm sure it doesn't sway in the wind) work for a mounting point?
As far as the $49, that is cheap. You need to keep in mind, this type of thing on a service call takes more time. Service techs are paid by job, so this takes more time than the normal service call would. Hence the reason they charge custom labor. Things like cable burial, wall fishing and...pole mounts are all "extra". And honestly, according to our rate sheet for us to do a pole mount it's $75. So my recommendation is pay the fee or do it yourself.
Being a service tech myself, this is stump idea of yours is definitely
not recommended.
IF, you do it yourself just use a 6 foot long, 2" diameter pipe. Dig a hole 2 to 2 1/2 feet deep. Flatten out the end of the pipe (with a sledgehammer) you'll be putting in the hole so that it doesn't spin / turn in the cement. Put the pole in the hole and use a level to make sure it's plumb. Get yourself a bag of quick dry cement. Follow the directions on the bag to mix the stuff. Make sure you have everything done BEFORE you mix the cement. The stuff starts to set extremely quickly. Pour in the cement and as I said, make sure the pipe is as perfectly straight as you can get it while it dries. Hope that helps.
What, D* doesn't supply your tech with posts and concrete ?
I can't believe the guy is gonna run down to the local hardware to buy the stuff to do the job.
Yes the warehouse supplies both. Doesn't change that it gets charged to the customer. On installs if it's [pole mount] something the customer requests, they get charged. Usually unless it's a situation where a polemount is the only option for a good signal window, then it will most times be done for free.