Going to pole mount...

[NutFlush920]

My SWM Line DirecTV dish is currently mounted on the roof of my ranch style home with monopole's. I want to move it to a pole mount because I am tired of having to climb a latter in the winter to clear the snow off.

I found this pole (6ft Galvanized Ground Mast for SuperDISH | SKY5999 [Skywalker]) mount online. Will this do for my situation? How deep in the ground should I go with the pole? The pole itself is only 6' long. How much of the pole should be above ground level? I live in NE Wisconsin and want to make sure I am prepared for winter with the ground freezing and all.

Thanks in advance

 

[jdspencer]

That pole should work just fine. The only thing you need is to put the pole deep enough to get below the frost line in your area. In WI I'd suspect at least 3'. The pole could be 6" above ground if you can get a signal that low. Personally, I'd try to find a long pole. Check at a fence installation company.

 

[scarebear]

as close to or rightt @ 36" down (unless your local recommends deeper because of where you live), try and find a longer pole if you need the height for LOS, and don't forget 2" OD

 

[Jimbo]

Nutflush,
Check with your local fence company ...
I used a 16' galvanized sch.40 when I did mine, but I wanted it over the roof.

Bury it 30-36" deep.
Place a bolt thru one end
Make sure you use concrete, some people don't.
2" OD is what you need.
Remember, the most important thing is to make sure it is plumb, both directions.

You will be MUCH happier with the dish on the ground during the winter.
Mine is setup on a flat roof, so clearing mine is not a problem.

Jimbo

 

[NutFlush920]

Thanks all for the help. Do you think Home Depot might have a long 2" OD fense pole I could use or shoudl I stick with a fense company?

 

[jdspencer]

I think you need to take a trip to your Home Depot to answer that question.

Or maybe their website.

 

[steecoe]

Thanks all for the help. Do you think Home Depot might have a long 2" OD fense pole I could use or shoudl I stick with a fense company?

I have been looking into this option myself, I found at Menards a 10 foot section of galvanized for like 14 bucks. Lowe's had a 10 foot section of more sturdy rigid electrical conduit for like 36 bucks. We don't have a Home Depot around here so I can't say what they have. Neither Lowes or Menards had a fence pole that was exactly 2 inches OD. I have yet to look at the fencing place...

 

[Jimbo]

Thanks all for the help. Do you think Home Depot might have a long 2" OD fense pole I could use or shoudl I stick with a fense company?

Fence company will be your quickest and best bet.
I looked at the HD and Lowes type places when I was doing mine, none had anything heavy as I wanted and I don't think it will be 2" either.

Jimbo

 

[NutFlush920]

Thanks again. I'll be taking a trip soon.

 

[raoul5788]

Just so you know, the pole from a fence company will likely be slightly smaller than 2". Make sure the dish is tightened properly and a set screw is a really good idea, too. Also, where you are in WI, the frost line is probably 48". It is at least 42". Check with your local building department to find that information out.

 

[NutFlush920]

4' sounds about right (remember from when I built my deck). What would happen if I didn't go past the frost line? Do I also have to keep the coax line ran below the frost line too?

 

[Jimbo]

4' sounds about right (remember from when I built my deck). What would happen if I didn't go past the frost line? Do I also have to keep the coax line ran below the frost line too?

Coax doesn't have to be.
You want the concrete and post below.

 

[raoul5788]

4' sounds about right (remember from when I built my deck). What would happen if I didn't go past the frost line? Do I also have to keep the coax line ran below the frost line too?

The post could move from the frozen ground and knock your dish out of alignment. Like Jim said, the cable doesn't have to be that deep, just enough to keep it from being damaged. It's a good idea to put it in a conduit, just to be safe.

 

[NutFlush920]

What type of conduit do you suggest? Metal or plastic? Most of my wire will be under the rock around my deck then under my deck to the entry point into my home. I do want to keep the rabbits from chewing on it though under the deck.

 

[raoul5788]

What type of conduit do you suggest? Metal or plastic? Most of my wire will be under the rock around my deck then under my deck to the entry point into my home. I do want to keep the rabbits from chewing on it though under the deck.

I used plastic for mine. It's easy, probably cheaper, too.

 

[Jimbo]

What type of conduit do you suggest? Metal or plastic? Most of my wire will be under the rock around my deck then under my deck to the entry point into my home. I do want to keep the rabbits from chewing on it though under the deck.

Like raoul said, Plastic will do nicely ...
Get a size larger than you might think you need, this will make running lines easier and if you somewhere down the road need to add addl. lines you can still do it.

Jimbo

 

[NutFlush920]

Will do. Thanks again.

 

[Bosco10021]

Like Jimbo said make sure you drill a hole and place a long bolt thru the end that you place into the concrete to prevent the mast from turning in the wind.

I didn't do this and had to redo after many problems with dish movement.