Installing my first motorized C Band Satellite Dish (w/pictures)

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RamboHack

SatelliteGuys Family
Original poster
Oct 21, 2017
62
116
Monterrey, MX
Hi everyone.

I like to start this thread to show you ALL the steps i'll have to do to install my first C Band Satellite Dish.

Before i start, let me apologize if my english is not correct, my first and native language is spanish, but i'll try to write in english and i'll do my best effort.

Im from Monterrey, Mexico, and i have been into this hobby since many years ago, but never had the oportunity to have my own C Band (motorized). I did a Ku motorized dish like 3 years, and the typical Directv and Dish Network installation.

I already bought all the neccesarly equipment to perform my first installation, and i would like to show you all the steps i'll go through to make this installation as best it could be done.

During all this days (or weeks who knows :eeek) i''ll try to post pictures as my installation advanced, and if i had any problem or question, i hope i'll recieve your help in this forum.

First i want to share with you, all the things i already bought:

jtsK3oH.jpg



As you can see what i already bought is:

- A brand new 10" mesh satellite dish antena with polar munt.
- Hellobox FTA Receiver DVBS/S2 HD
- Titanium ASC1 positioner controller
-Titanium LNB C1-PLL with WiMAX filter
- 50 ft actuator cable 4 x 14 AWG
- Wixey wr300 clinometer
- Black low gloss Roast-Oleum spray
- Venture 36" MAXI actuator MA-818-36K
- And general installation tools and accesories


But before everything, i should get started by making a small base concrete in my roof, and by small i mean 35 x 35 x 8 inch base.

I already bought the bag of cement, gravel and sand, and im thinking into hiring someone to perform this action, but after watching some youtube videos, probably i'll do it myself this Monday or tuesday.

As soon as my installation advance, i'll post more pictures of it.

Thank you very much :hatsoff for letting me be part of this great forum and thank you one more time, for all the future help i'll recieve here.

In the mean time i'll read by the 15th time, one "C Band Polar mount dish installatin guide" i found at google. And read read and read as much as i can. There is sooooo much to learn, and im trying to learn all the aspects in deep, to perform, if not a profesional installation, at least a good and working installation. As i expect to watch from 40w to 139w.

So, my journey begins this week, wish me luck everyone and once again, sorry for my english :hiding

Rambohack
Monterrey, Mexico
 
Hi Rambo you have some nice equipment there :),

One thing that's concerning me is your base for the mount,

But before everything, i should get started by making a small base concrete in my roof, and by small i mean 35 x 35 x 8 inch base.

I'm trying to visualise where your dish is going, I'm presuming the installation will be on a flat roof ?,

Could you post some pictures please,

Your base dimensions don't appear to be big enough for a 10ft dish, also adding weight to a roof can be dangerous if your roof supports are not up to the job,

The last thing you want is your dish blowing away or ending up in your living room :eeek.
 
Your base dimensions don't appear to be big enough for a 10f dish, also adding weight to a roof can be dangerous if your roof supports are not up to the job,

The last thing you want is your dish blowing away or ending up in your living room :eeek.

Thank you Martin. The shop where i bought the Satellite dish, told me 35x35x8 would be fine, i meassured the polar base, and it fits perfectly with that base.... i'll increase an inch or two just to be safe hehe.

Here in Mexico, almost 99.9% of all houses are built with concrete, so i think its safe to build that small base on top of the roof, maybe im worng, but i'll ask to some people who knows construction here in Monterrey and ill get their advice also.
 
Here in Mexico, almost 99.9% of all houses are built with concrete

That changes thing lots :), you might be able to bolt it straight onto the concrete, getting professional advice would be good,

Its very important to get the mount / pole 100% level

Additional levelling plates sometimes help with this if your floor is out,
Capture.PNG



Good luck with the install its so rewarding the first time you do it.
 
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Yes, i already bought this bolts (1/2 x 5-1/2"), i think my dish will be very sturdy with them.

sofqhb8.jpg

Not having a sufficient base can make the whole project a disaster if the wind gets strong enough to upset the dish, pole and all. When I set a ground pole, I dig a hole 3X3X3 feet square. I then take the post hole diggers and go down an additional 12 inches in the middle of the hole as a kicker foot and to ground the pole. That's just over 1 yard of concrete. There is several hundred pounds of wind load on a 10 foot dish in a 35mph wind. I'd be uncomfortable with a 35x35x8 slab of concrete.

A slab that size only weighs 798lbs. Is it not possible to set a pole in the ground? Just wondering.
 
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Not having a sufficient base can make the whole project a disaster if the wind gets strong enough to upset the dish, pole and all. When I set a ground pole, I dig a hole 3X3X3 feet square. I then take the post hole diggers and go down an additional 12 inches in the middle of the hole as a kicker foot and to ground the pole. That's just over 1 yard of concrete. There is several hundred pounds of wind load on a 10 foot dish in a 35mph wind. I'd be uncomfortable with a 35x35x8 slab of concrete.

A slab that size only weighs 798lbs. Is it not possible to set a pole in the ground? Just wondering.

Yeah, but the 35x35 concrete base will be "attached" to the concrete roof using steel rods.

I cant install my BUD in the backyard because i will lose a lot of satellites because of different obstructions. So my only option is above, at the concrete roof.

Anyway, i was thinking of doing it myself, but i changed my mind, i will hire some constrution specialist, so he will do the job for me next week :)

I'll keep posting more updates this week as my project goes on.

RamboHack
Monterrey, Mexico
 
That hellobox is a hacked box. Im pretty sure there is no hack talk here. FYI

NOBODY talked anything about "hacking" here.
I know the rules of this forum and i wont talk about anything illegal here.

My main interest is hunting ocasional or sports feeds, all 100% legal. Thats it..... FYI

Rambohack
Monterrey, Mexico
 
Hi. If you bought the dish from TEK2000 the assembly might be a bit difficult. There is another thread here that talks about TEK2000 assembly (if thats what you have).

As for the ASC1 -- the developer of that (Titanium) is on this forum a lot and very helpful in case you have questions about it.

I think the most difficult part of the installation will be aligning the dish to the satellite arc. (The first time I did it, it took me several days). I have found that a digital level is extremely helpful, as it can accurately tell you the dish's elevation angle. Also, you have many people here to help if you get stuck lining it up to the arc.

And I understand your needing the dish on the roof to clear obstructions. Is there a chimney you could strap the pole to? Another option is to get a large metal stand and weigh it down with concrete blocks.

Anyway, good luck and please post photos of your progress.
 
I have found that a digital level is extremely helpful, as it can accurately tell you the dish's elevation angle.


Thank you N6BY, i already bought the digital level, its a Wixey:
SfdUf88.jpg



And about the chimney, unfortunately i dont have one, but the whole roof is made of concrete, i dont think i'll have a problem building the pole concrete base, above the roof.... i hope so :what2

I'll hire some constrution specialist guy next week, he will build that base for me :clapping

RamboHack
Monterrey, Mexico
 
Great, that digital level will be a real help.

Here's a stock photo of the one I use -- accurate to 1/10th of a degree. I'm currently using it to build some large retaining walls to control erosion on a hill in my side yard.

Screen Shot 2017-10-21 at 10.31.36 PM.png
 
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Yeah, but the 35x35 concrete base will be "attached" to the concrete roof using steel rods.

I cant install my BUD in the backyard because i will lose a lot of satellites because of different obstructions. So my only option is above, at the concrete roof.

Anyway, i was thinking of doing it myself, but i changed my mind, i will hire some constrution specialist, so he will do the job for me next week :)

I'll keep posting more updates this week as my project goes on.

RamboHack
Monterrey, Mexico

Ah, OK, didn't realize you were going to attach the concrete pad to the roof. I thought the pad would be sitting on top of the roof. That definitely changes things. Did you know that they make non-penetrating mounts that use concrete blocks to anchor the mount to the roof. It spreads the load over a bigger area in order to avoid having the dish to tip over during high winds? I'm guessing you're aware of them. Be nice to come up with one of those. Good luck with the install.

This is a great hobby. I haven't paid for TV for years, and I love it. You came to the right place to get help. I installed BUD's for years, and with the new technology, I still turn to the folks in here for advice. There's a lot of knowledge in here. Have a great day.
 
Just a little update:

:(:(
Its has been raining the whole day here in my town (MONTERREY, MEXICO), so, the builder guy was not able to start the process of making the concrete and all that stuff.

Weather forecast says tomorrow's sun will be shining. So i guess have we have to wait 'till tomorrow.

In the meantime, for those of you who did not know my city, here's a nice picture of Monterrey, Mexico (Second largest city in Mexico, after Mexico City)

HSeot9c.jpg


RamboHack
Monterrey, Mexico
 
Just a little update:

:(:(
Its has been raining the whole day here in my town (MONTERREY, MEXICO), so, the builder guy was not able to start the process of making the concrete and all that stuff.

Weather forecast says tomorrow's sun will be shining. So i guess have we have to wait 'till tomorrow.

In the meantime, for those of you who did not know my city, here's a nice picture of Monterrey, Mexico (Second largest city in Mexico, after Mexico City)

HSeot9c.jpg


RamboHack
Monterrey, Mexico

Nice picture. Looks like a nice place.:first
 
My first thought at seeing your photo was how nice and blue the sky is. Living at 1700 feet has its advantages. And then "I think I could climb that mountain in the distance". Ever climbed Saddle Mountain?
 
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We look forward to the progress updates! I know when I lived in Mexico that in addition to Sky dishes, there were plenty of Ku-band and big C-band dishes roof-mounted all over the place. So, I think you'll have no problem.
 
My first thought at seeing your photo was how nice and blue the sky is. Living at 1700 feet has its advantages.

And its even prettier at night :yessign

KM1eiSK.jpg


Btw, today, sky is blue, and the builder guy already putting the steel rods and all that stuff @ the roof to make the 35 x 35 inches concrete pad. He had to dig into the prevoius concrete to put the steel rods.

I'll update this post later on

RamboHack
Monterrey, Mexico
 
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