GeoSatPro 1.2M Dish Damage and Setup.

[Babadem]

After months of procrastination, I finally decided to setup my motorized GeosatPro 1.2m Dish with a DG380 motor yesterday, and to my disappointment and anger my Dish had damage at the rim (edge) during shipping. See photos. I know, I should have opened and checked the package when it arrived months ago, but I didn't. And it's now too late for me to ask for a replacement, since the shipper's 30days insurance claim of goods damaged during delivery is now long gone.
Now, I have tried to fix this damage to the best of my ability (see photos), but I’m worried that I may have problem with this dish as it regards signal quality due to the damage. Am I right about that? What would you suggest I do to effectively correct this rather unfortunate problem short of buying a new dish?
I will update this thread as the setup progresses.

 

[AcWxRadar]

Babadem,

That does look pretty bad, but it seems to be limited to the rim of the dish. Lay the dish flat on a good table (a nice glass table if you have one) or a good solid work bench that is large enough. If it isn't warped and the damage is just to the rim, you can still use it.

If otherwise, contact the seller and the shipper (even though it has been a long time) and see if they may still honor you with some warranty or maybe a prorated replacement. It never hurts to ask them, they might work with you towards some reasonable assistance.

The damage looks odd to me, though. One of your pictures makes it appear that it was formed that way. The others make it look like it was dropped very hard on the edge. Ouch!

RADAR

 

[Babadem]

Babadem,

That does look pretty bad, but it seems to be limited to the rim of the dish. Lay the dish flat on a good table (a nice glass table if you have one) or a good solid work bench that is large enough. If it isn't warped and the damage is just to the rim, you can still use it.

After trying to fix it, I did the string test and it appear to pass, but I'm yet to find a flat surface to test it further.


If otherwise, contact the seller and the shipper (even though it has been a long time) and see if they may still honor you with some warranty or maybe a prorated replacement. It never hurts to ask them, they might work with you towards some reasonable assistance.

I contacted SatelliteAV, and they told me that it was way past UPs' 30days damage Insurance warranty from the date of delivery. If the dish doesn't perform well, I may see if they can give me a deal for just the dish, or they may surprise me and send me just the dish for a minimal postage fee.

The damage looks odd to me, though. One of your pictures makes it appear that it was formed that way. The others make it look like it was dropped very hard on the edge. Ouch!

I suspect the shippers were very rough with the package. Too bad, I didn't catch it on time!
RADAR

RADAR........see my responses in blue above.

 

[pro96]

I would of opened it been that its a large sized box, anything can go wrong.

Would you order a Pizza and not open it caz you not hungry?? hmmmm

 

[Babadem]

I would of opened it been that its a large sized box, anything can go wrong.

Would you order a Pizza and not open it caz you not hungry?? hmmmm

I need suggestions on how to remedy my situation, not hind sight speeches.

 

[GreatFTA]

I hate that happened to you. If the dish is not warped it will work fine! Maybe you know someone at a machine shop that wouldn't mind straightening the edge out for a small fee or just to help you out.

 

[pedrogarcia]

If you can mount the dish level horizontally, temporarily plug holes and slowly fill with food dye lightly coloured water at the centre you can see the distortion as it fills and plot it with a pencil. I think you might be surprised how little it is. I've found dishes up to 1.2 don't distort too easily.

 

[meinename]

I don't like the idea of pounding it out if you don't need to.

So I guess a String Test is in order.

Try to get a 90 degree/Plus mark test away from the damaged part.
If they touch, you may still recover part of the reflector.

I'd try to set it up as a fixed dish and see how it performs against a known satellite another dish, if you have another.
It's big enough that you may be reduced, but still have the adjacent signal rejection.
Lemonade, if you will.

 

[AcWxRadar]

RADAR........see my responses in blue above.

Babadem,

Have you spoken with UPS yet, just to see what they might say? I know it sounds like a long-shot, but it is worth a try. Otherwise, you will just have to make do and straighten it the best you can.

I had a 76 CM Winegard dish that had a bent rim a while back. It wasn't as pronounced as yours, but I was able to bend that area of the dish by hand and make it work reasonably well. I think it suffered the damage when I had it on a portable tripod and the wind blew it over one evening. I couldn't tell the difference between the operation of the damaged dish that I repaired and a brand new one that was in good shape.

The damage to yours may be a little extreme. The structural area of the rim is really messed up. That may prove difficult to remedy (sorry). You would really need some sort of a jig fabricated to mold it back into shape. Or at least nearly so.

I would do the best you can to straighten it and then simply try it out. It may not operate as bad as you think. Only way to know is to give it a try.

I would set it up as a fixed point dish to test it out. Dial in some of the really strong birds at first and see how they all respond.

Sometimes this stuff just happens, hopefully you can salvage it and make it work acceptably. I will wish you a good portion of luck for that!

RADAR

 

[GreatFTA]

My first dish was a 1.0 Primestar Dish someone gave me just for getting it out of the yard. On the outer side was a busted out place that a ridiing mower or a small tractor hit. I was leary but after setting it up, it performed beautifully!
I understand that you bought your dish and it arrived damaged. It hurt to pay for something and it is damaged.
I really hope you have good service out of it.
Your experience gives us a important lesson about checking out the order as soon it arrives. I sometimes do the same thing you do when something arrives on freight or mail. For now on I will open it even before UPS, FedEx, or DHL leaves.

 

[GreatFTA]

Babadem,
Was the box itself damaged when you took the dish out? If it was, UPS may have done it. If the box was NOT damaged, then it could have came from the place you ordered from, or it can be that way from the factory. I hope you still have the box. If the box was ok, then you have grounds to get another dish, if it is warranted. And have pictures taken of the box it came in and pictures taken of the damaged dish.

I hope this may help you.

 

[Anole]

There are things you can see in person, that don't show in pictures.
Conversely, there are things we don't see in person, 'till we look at a picture of it.
That said, the best I can tell from looking at the pictures, the damage is pretty much cosmetic.

Sure, string testing it with about 3..4..5 strings across the center would be a good first start.

But, Pedro has the best I idea I ever heard of. -
Draw around the puddle with a pencil directly onto the dish.
Fill 'till the puddle is another inch bigger on each side (2" overall), and draw again.
If ya take a picture, and the pencil lines are pretty much even on both sides out to nearly the edge, I'd call it good. - :up

If you can mount the dish level horizontally, temporarily plug holes and slowly fill with food dye lightly coloured water at the centre you can see the distortion as it fills and plot it with a pencil. I think you might be surprised how little it is. I've found dishes up to 1.2 don't distort too easily.

 

[SatelliteAV]

Several Satellite AV CSRs spoke with Babadem this morning and after reviewing the photos, we have assured him that if the reflector is not performing correctly after attempts to correct, a replacement reflector will be available at no charge if he will cover the shipping cost. Satellite AV considers any reasonable claim and promises to work with our customers for a positive resolution.

Unfortunately for Badadem, shipping claims must be submitted to the trucking company in a timely manner to be honored (most heavy weight shippers claims must be submitted within 15 days if the customer did not sign a release at the time of delivery). In this case it has been 5 months ...... Not a chance that a freight shipper would consider a claim after that long.

No matter how big or small the package, this is a reminder to us all to open packages upon receipt to not only check the condition, but also to verify the contents. When ever possible, open or inspect the package in the presence of the shipping representative and note any potential issues on the shipping invoice along with the drivers signature acknowledgment.

I would be very interested in seeing photos of the inner retainers and the outer carton. The container must have absorbed an incredible force for the reflector to sustain that damage! The center of the carton edge would have had to been compressed about 6 inches. The GEOSATpro 1.2M shipping cartons have been rated for the equiv. of a 10 foot drop / 200 ft lb compression on all edges with zero damage to contents. I wonder if the shipper put the carton in with a train load of circus elephants?

 

[turbosat]

That's first rate, SatAV! I'm with Anole on that one, just looking at pictures, looks like the edge was the only thing hurt, if the reflective surface isn't damaged it is only cosmetic. But, they're only pictures and hard to see exactly what might have happened to the entire dish. Hope it works for him!

 

[AcWxRadar]

Brian,

I want to express my great respect for you and your company! That is one wonderful measure of customer service that you have performed for Babadem in this case! I understand that he has to make an honest effort to repair and test the damaged dish before he returns it, which is logical. After all, it could possibly not interfere with the reception and it was his error for not checking the shipment right off. But you guys and gals certainly went out of your way to keep a customer pleased! It is no wonder that you have a GOLD SPONSOR status here!

I must salute you for this very fine assistance to a customer!

Hopefully, in the future, everyone will learn from this event and check the product before signing off on its delivery. Sometimes the shipper can make an awful mistake and damage the product, sometimes without realizing it. Sometimes I am sure they know they damaged the shipping box, but expect the customer to check it out well when received.

I have a really good relationship with my UPS, FedEx and DHL drivers, not to mention the USPS employees. If I see anything questionable about the condition of the package, they will wait while I open the box and inspect it in their presence. They are good guys and gals, too!

I have never had any bad shipping problems personally, but I always know that I can rely on the shipper (driver) to hang around if there is any question.

One time, I received 500 lbs of corn for seed. I didn't order it. We sat down and researched the delivery and found that it was destined for my nieghbor just a mile or two north. Somehow, I had an order coming from the same area at the same time and the shipping labels were somehow inadvertently switched. He would have received some electronics equipment and I would have received his specialty corn seed. We worked it all out just fine.

Well, no matter what my story is, I compliment you on providing such excellent customer support! Well done!

AxWxRADAR (Gordy)

 

[Tron]

That was great of SatelliteAV to offer a replacement. I receive equipment regularly by UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS, etc., and have made the mistake of putting the package aside and not opening it myself. I've also been burned a couple of times as well... Another important thing to do is EXTENSIVELY TEST any electronic product before the return period has past!

 

[Babadem]

After speaking with SatelliteAV, they have shipped me a new Dish reflector only, and I had to pay for the shipping. You bet, I will inspect that reflector as soon as it arrives. I will find some use for the beat up dish in the not so distant future. Thanks everyone for all your inputs and suggestions!!

 

[Anole]

Hey, if you can use the old one and get even the performance of a 1m out of it, you are way ahead of the curve!
Perhaps get a Ck-1, and do some mini-BUDding. Dish surface less critical on C.
Congrats on the solution.

And kudos to SatelliteAV for their fine service.
That's the best advertizing there is: customer solutions.

 

[GreatFTA]

SatelliteAV is tops in their service and commitment! My hat off to these guys!!!

 

[guapoharry]

Have you spoken with UPS yet, ...

There is no contract between the shipping company and the recipient. You can refuse the shipment, though.

When there is damage, only the sender can submit a claim.