Unable to secure LNB arm and brackets to reflector

[spb55]

Hello folks:

I’m new to the forum and I'm in the process of setting up a satellite system. Right now I’m putting together a Fortec Star antenna model FC-110 (100CM ). I’ve run into a pesky little problem that I’m hoping someone can help me with.

I’ve put the whole antenna together in my garage for a test run except for the LNB arm and the supporting brackets. The problem I’ve run into is that the LNB arm appears to be a few inches too short to fit into the mounting clamp that screws into the bottom of the reflector. The way I see it the problem is caused by one of three possibilities:
1) the LNB arm is too short (25") - maybe they sent the wrong size?
2) the supporting brackets are too long (35") - maybe they sent the wrong size?
3) or I’m assembling it the wrong way.

Can anyone please offer some advice on this?

Thanks,
Sal

[elgemcdlf]

Are you sure you are not trying to assemble upside down? I do not have a 100cm but previous experience with both a 76 and a 90 have taught me they only go one way.

[rainman]

see if this will help you.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by spb55

Hello folks:

I’m new to the forum and I'm in the process of setting up a satellite system. Right now I’m putting together a Fortec Star antenna model FC-110 (100CM ). I’ve run into a pesky little problem that I’m hoping someone can help me with.

I’ve put the whole antenna together in my garage for a test run except for the LNB arm and the supporting brackets. The problem I’ve run into is that the LNB arm appears to be a few inches too short to fit into the mounting clamp that screws into the bottom of the reflector. The way I see it the problem is caused by one of three possibilities:
1) the LNB arm is too short (25") - maybe they sent the wrong size?
2) the supporting brackets are too long (35") - maybe they sent the wrong size?
3) or I’m assembling it the wrong way.

Can anyone please offer some advice on this?

Thanks,
Sal

With the help of the diagram Rainman posted, and the specs at the Saduon site, I think that the lengths of the arm and support brackets sound about right. I suspect that you are just expecting the lnbf to be in the wrong place. Ie the shorter the brackets are, the higher the lnbf is, and the longer the brackets are, the lower the lnbf is. I'd recommend attaching the brackets without tightening the bolts, so that they are free to flop around, and then just move them around until all three come together at the lnbf holder.

[spb55]

I don’t think I’m assembling it upside down, the Fortec Star name is on top right side up as on Sadoun’s photos for the dish – also the location of the supporting bracket on the dish would seem to make upside down assembly not possible on this particular reflector.

I am in fact using the diagram that Rainman posted to do the assembly although actual pictures of the assembled system on Sadoun’s site are much more helpful. I’ve also assembled the LNB arm and supporting brackets all loosy goosy as Wejones suggested but I still can’t fit the supporting arm into the mounting clamp because it’s too short. The mounting arm does make contact with the bracket but at too high of an angle to be inserted into the clamp without bending the supporting brackets. I take it one does not want to do that so I did not force it.

I’ll give Sadoun a ring tomorrow and verify the length of the arm and brackets. I can’t do much today anyway as it’s raining like crazy.

Thanks again for your suggestions and help and I’ll keep you posted on my misadventures. I’ll post some pictures as I progress along and give you guys an idea of what I’m doing. I’m putting this thing up on top of a tree in the corner of my backyard. I cut the tree at about 15’ from the ground and levelled the top where I will mount the dish.
This was the only place on the property where I could get reasonably unobstructed southerly exposure.

[elgemcdlf]

Bill is this guy a relative of yours? LOL Bill and most here know what that is about. If you note the diagram there is a mark on the side of the vertical lnbf mount for the scale. This mark should be down when assembling also note the direction of the brackets that it attaches to as they could very well cause the problem you describe if installed upside down.

[spb55]

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

Bill is this guy a relative of yours? LOL Bill and most here know what that is about. If you note the diagram there is a mark on the side of the vertical lnbf mount for the scale. This mark should be down when assembling also note the direction of the brackets that it attaches to as they could very well cause the problem you describe if installed upside down.

I'm not too sure if I understand correctly...the parts I'm trying to put together are numbered 29 and 30 on the diagram. Are the parts you are referring to 31, 32 and 33? Don't I put those together after parts 29 and 30?

[elgemcdlf]

I am referring to 26 & 27. If 29 was reversed could that cause the problem. The diagram appears as though it could be installed either way.

[spb55]

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

I am referring to 26 & 27. If 29 was reversed could that cause the problem. The diagram appears as though it could be installed either way.

Parts 26 and 27 appear to be installed correctly - the scale line lines up with the numbers on part 28. The supporting brackets are also installed
correctly as they bolt to the reflector ok ( I had installed one bracket upside down previously and the holes did not match with the holes on the reflector. Part 29 is also installed right side up as the hole to bolt the LNFB clamp holder - part 31 - matches. In any case, it would noth change the part's length.

But all of this should not effect the way that parts 29 and 30 are assembled. They all bolt to holes on the reflector or am I missing something?

[wejones]

Originally Posted by spb55

...
But all of this should not effect the way that parts 29 and 30 are assembled. They all bolt to holes on the reflector or am I missing something?

I think part 30 connects to the reflector, but part 29 connects to part 11, and it looks like it is free to move up and down.

I don't have this dish (wish I did), so I'm just going by the diagram.

[spb55]

The length of the LNBF Arm Support Struts for the 100cm reflector are 30 ½ and NOT 35 ½ which is what I have. The 35 ½ are for the 120cm reflector. I’ve taken these figures Sadoun’s spec page for these reflectors. It appears someone in China put the wrong parts in the package. I'll call Sadoun tomorrow and have the proper support struts shipped.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by spb55

The length of the LNBF Arm Support Struts for the 100cm reflector are 30 ½ and NOT 35 ½ which is what I have. The 35 ½ are for the 120cm reflector. I’ve taken these figures Sadoun’s spec page for these reflectors. It appears someone in China put the wrong parts in the package. I'll call Sadoun tomorrow and have the proper support struts shipped.

I see what you mean. I hadn't noticed that they had the support arm lengths in the specs. I just looked at the lnbf arm length, and figured the support arms had to be longer, but you're right, that they were too much longer.

Maybe you can talk Saduon into sending everything else to fit the support arms.

[rainman]

Originally Posted by spb55

The length of the LNBF Arm Support Struts for the 100cm reflector are 30 ½ and NOT 35 ½ which is what I have. The 35 ½ are for the 120cm reflector. I’ve taken these figures Sadoun’s spec page for these reflectors. It appears someone in China put the wrong parts in the package. I'll call Sadoun tomorrow and have the proper support struts shipped.

Glad to here you got it figured out these things can be contrary from time to time.

[spb55]

Originally Posted by rainman

Glad to here you got it figured out these things can be contrary from time to time.

I telephoned Sadoun today to have the proper parts shipped. During the next two days when I have time I'm going to fix the satellite dish on the 15' tree stump - this ought to be a barrel of laughs. I'll keep you guys posted if you like and of course ask for help from time to time.

Do you think it's a good idea to spray some kind of protective paint on the exposed nuts, bolts, clamps, etc? It would prevent rust.

Also, any advice if this type of RG6 cable is okay for outdoor use http://sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Leviton/100_FT_NEW_LEVITON_RG6_DIGITAL_CABLE_QUAD_SHIELD_W ITH_GROUND.htm - I've already purchased it from Sadoun.

[Sadoun]

Yes, these are good cables and should be no problem for outdoor use.

[elgemcdlf]

Originally Posted by spb55