What is your new sarellite project for this weekend?

Sadoun · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 12:00 AM

This week, I will try to finish the folloing installations:

C-Band:
We are installing the Fortec 6-ft c-band dish to use as a demo for customers when they visit our business. The equipment list as follows:

Fortec 6' Prime Focus Dish
Eagle Aspen C-Band LNBF
Moteck H180 Motor
Sadoun Powertech V3000 controller
Mercury II receiver
RG11 Coaxial Cable
4x 18-ga Electrical Wires to supply power / sensor feedback to/from H180 motor
2 3/8" x 8' Galvanized Tubing

C/KU Band
I will be setting up a motorized 120cm dish with a C/KU band LNBF. The equipment list as follows:

Fortec 120cm Offset dish
Stab HH120 Motor (we will replace it with the new Sadoun Powertech DG280 motor when we receive it in stok in a week or so)
DMS BSC621-2 C/KU lnbf
Fortec Classic Receiver
Perfect Vision RG6 Coaxial
2 3/8" x 8' Galvanized Tubing

rainman · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 07:07 AM

I have had several project on the burner all summer just have found the time but this weekend will try to get the new DG240 motor up and running on the 90cm dish. and if I have the time I will try to get the 8.5' Birdview HH mount up and running.

elgemcdlf · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 07:20 AM

If time permits I have a pole to dig up and would like to get it planted with the dish to follow next week sometime. This dish is a 8.5' mesh that will at this time be dedicated to the DVB C Band on 45. I do have a HT receiver that eventually will be connected to an actuator to allow steering of this dish for Atlantic linear C Band sats. Still also have about 20 feet of so of PVC to bury and run coax in. At present the cable is just laying on the ground in the yard.

lumpkin666 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 08:24 AM

Last night I just finished planting the last of my pvc (Probably something like 100 feet now with several Y's going to all the dish locations), and started pulling cables. I'm wishing I would have installed more than 1.5" pvc now, as 4 cables fit fine, but going around bends is tight already!

This weekend (and maybe continuing into next week)- I plan to finish pulling all new RG6 to all locations. Then I will look at installing a new (to me) 10' BUD in a fixed location, and generally tuning things a bit .

butch · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 05:50 PM

I'm assembling my Fotec 6' dish that I purchased from Sadoun.com.
I am having little problem with the polar mount attaching to the dish though. Demensioning for brackets seem to be off by about 1/2" or so.
When I tighten bolts, the supporting truss is tight. When I move it, the brackets distort.

pmb1010 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 06:54 PM

I didn't do the polar mount but I'll mention this.

Put the dish, face down on a good, known flat surface.
Loosen every bolt, shake the thing around then tighten them all a little at a time.
That will assure the dish is all "square" with itself.

If you've done that, and your mount still has trouble, well I dunno.
I'd be tempted to drill a new hole before I strain stuff.

butch · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 01:29 AM

Made new bracket! All together now just need pole and wire up.

Wife made me stop to paint house.

Oh well always tomorrow! Thank you for advice!

Jim-S · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 07:35 AM

Hello rainman......I have a Mercury II 90cm dish and a DG240 motor also. I installed it this summer, I get a great picture. But at times maybe half of the time the dish will not move. I wonder if you will have the same problem? My dish is about 120' from the receiver, I know my RG/6 coax is not the top grade, the core is steel coated with copper, this could be the problem? Would like to know how yours will be doing. Jim-S Thanks;

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainman

I have had several project on the burner all summer just have found the time but this weekend will try to get the new DG240 motor up and running on the 90cm dish. and if I have the time I will try to get the 8.5' Birdview HH mount up and running.

pmb1010 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 10:25 AM

120 feet of copper covered steel center conductor should not be a problem. I will say that cheap cable is just that - cheap cable. Some of the stuff coming out of 3rd world countries is junk. If you have the money and want the best, Belden cable swept to 3ghz is the top of the line...
That would surely put the cable issue to rest as being not an issue.

Do you have any splitters, Diseqc switches or barrel connectors in the run?

I'd be very suspecious of cable ends not installed sufficiently. The ground must be perfect as both center conductor and ground need to be continous and good for proper operation for the motor voltage to get to it.

rainman · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 12:30 PM

well we got the 90cm and motor aligned this morning before it got to hot.
for Jim S question the motor and receiver is working fine at a 100' of coax right now. to add to what pmb mention above make sure your connections are weather tight I would recommend use Dielectric grease on all outside connections.

Jim-S · #11 (**permalink**) 10-07-2007, 04:58 PM

Thank you for your reply....I have two barrel connectors in line I did a continuity test end to end it was good both braid and core. I did have have a coax ground bar in the circuit when I was having trouble I bypassed it and it worked fine for awhile. I have compression coax connectors on the ends with rubber boots at the dish. I think what I will do is find some Belden coax, and replace it, but its hard to find a place that sells it by the foot. Jim-S

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmb1010

120 feet of copper covered steel center conductor should not be a problem. I will say that cheap cable is just that - cheap cable. Some of the stuff coming out of 3rd world countries is junk. If you have the money and want the best, Belden cable swept to 3ghz is the top of the line...
That would surely put the cable issue to rest as being not an issue.

Do you have any splitters, Diseqc switches or barrel connectors in the run?

I'd be very suspecious of cable ends not installed sufficiently. The ground must be perfect as both center conductor and ground need to be continous and good for proper operation for the motor voltage to get to it.

lumpkin666 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 11:03 AM

I got my wires pulled this weekend, but had to stop after I removed the old wiring from my sg2100 so that I could connect the new wiring - the sg2100 wiring connector finally busted completely off the motor. I'm still at a loss as to why this happens so easily, as I've used a wrench on the connector, but not to "torque" it down.. just to turn it more easily due to it being difficult to get my fat fingers into the area and turn the cable end. SO.. now my next project will be to fix my motor :/ yippee!

Vitruvius · #13 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 01:47 PM

hey, what is this dielectric grease? My neighbor recommended to me to put vaseline on my tractor battery connectors to eliminate the acid build up. It works great. Is that the same idea as the dielectric grease? Do you think it might be a good idea to put vaseline on the outdoor cable connectors?

Thanks....

lumpkin666 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 02:59 PM

same concept, except that vaseline will break down over time and allow water through

rainman · #15 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 04:40 PM

Dielectric grease is a silicone base grease should be able to fine it in a automotve parts store.

butch · #16 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 07:12 AM

This past saturday I erected mast (2.5" water pipe, 42" into ground with concrete 8' above) for 6' Fortec dish. Mounted dish and actuatuator Sunday. It seems steady. We will see how it servives the storms we are going to have today. Hopefully, this weekend I will have it all hooked up. I am thinking of running the wires threw pvc pipe. Is this a good Idea, or should I use conduit?