Hd Dish install question

[rentz]

I've had directv for quite a while and i've lived in apartments the entire time, and always found a way to get the dish installed and working. Recently i upgraded to hd tv sets and i was going to call directv to upgrade to hd directv.

my current place has no balcony but the complex let me attach the dish to the window frame outside, which works great for the sd dish, but i'm worried how this will work for the hd slimline dish since it is so much larger, also im concerned if the dish would even be able to mount to the wood window frame as its only about 5" wide.

i also thought about going the pole method outside my window, just not sure how well that would go over with either the installer or my complex (most people here have them on balconies)

should i even bother trying to get the hd dish installed this way?

[dshu82]

What type of siding is on the building below the window? It can certainly be attached to the wall, with two monopole for stability. The pole is an option, if the complex does not mind digging the hole, cement, etc.

[dshu82]

you will obviously need to hit some studs in the wall.....

[rentz]

siding is probably out of the question, it's "rock" on top of stucco in some areas, others its wood siding that doesnt feel really sturdy

right now my dual lnb dish is just bolted to the wood window frame, but i didnt think this would work with the heavier dish.

[Quija666]

you could do a bucket w concrete or a tripod w pole

[dshu82]

If the frame wide enough for the "foot" of the Slimline and you have long enough screws to ensure you hit the studs around the window, you should be fine. The only question would be where to attach the monopoles, as they are need for stability when hanging on a wall like that.

[HDTVsportsfan]

I hate to be a downer, but that 5" window sill won't be "big" enough or strong enough in my opinion to mount a slimline.

There are installers that frequent the board. Hopefully a few will come along and offer some ideas. I think a pole mount would be best if the management will allow it. Check out www.solidsignal.com for some other possible equipment you can use to mount the dish on.

[dshu82]

Tripod with pole is another option. I am assuming the ground is right outside your window?

[rentz]

Tripod with pole is another option. I am assuming the ground is right outside your window?

yeah i'm on the first floor with south facing windows, so it's solid ground right outside.

the only issue i'd have with a tripod is people messing with it, or the yardguys tipping it over

[Quija666]

you can wrap sandbags around the legs

[RobertE]

Could it be mounted in the same place? Yes.
Will it look like crap? Yes again.
Will you have problems? With no place to put the monopoles, the odds go way up.

Best two options:

Pole mount
or
Non-Pen Roof mount on the ground (or even on the roof). Can be weighed down with 8 or more concrete blocks.

Any pics of said apartment?

[rentz]

i'll see if i can get a picture of the area up tomorrow.

i was wondering if maybe the dish could mount to the window frame with 1 monopole under it?


i did go through my complex and saw 2 other people with dishes on poles in the ground. (ironically they have balconies)

[slimline]

I've had directv for quite a while and i've lived in apartments the entire time, and always found a way to get the dish installed and working. Recently i upgraded to hd tv sets and i was going to call directv to upgrade to hd directv.

my current place has no balcony but the complex let me attach the dish to the window frame outside, which works great for the sd dish, but i'm worried how this will work for the hd slimline dish since it is so much larger, also im concerned if the dish would even be able to mount to the wood window frame as its only about 5" wide.

i also thought about going the pole method outside my window, just not sure how well that would go over with either the installer or my complex (most people here have them on balconies)

should i even bother trying to get the hd dish installed this way?

i have done these installs on patios on the bottom floor of apartments the best way is tripod converted into a non pen mount ,frame built on the bottom.
add patio blocks to hold it down have done 50 or so of these in the past year
and if its on the ground not concret you can hide the ground rod under the block to keep tricycle motors out of it...... i sell these installed at $60.00

[rentz]

i have done these installs on patios on the bottom floor of apartments the best way is tripod converted into a non pen mount ,frame built on the bottom.
add patio blocks to hold it down have done 50 or so of these in the past year
and if its on the ground not concret you can hide the ground rod under the block to keep tricycle motors out of it...... i sell these installed at $60.00


would you happen to have a link or a picture of this type of mount?
i'd been looking at some of the non-pen mounts, but i'm not sure the complex management would let me get away with having a bunch of cinder blocks holding down a dish outside my window.

i had also considered maybe using a patio umbrella stand filled with sand and a pole mounted to it holding up the dish.

[K4SMX]

.....i did go through my complex and saw 2 other people with dishes on poles in the ground. (ironically they have balconies)
This would indicate to me that pole mounts are acceptable to the owner (or at least were at the time.) This is far and away the preferred method of mounting for a 5 LNB dish, IMHO. No ladders, no wall or roof construction considerations, easy to ground properly, easiest to mount and to align safely, and safer from lightning strikes.

You're a very fortunate guy. The owner don't appear to restrict tenants with regard to where the dish can be installed.

And welcome to DBSTalk!

[rentz]

This would indicate to me that pole mounts are acceptable to the owner (or at least were at the time.) This is far and away the preferred method of mounting for a 5 LNB dish, IMHO. No ladders, no wall or roof construction considerations, easy to ground properly, easiest to mount and to align safely, and safer from lightning strikes.

You're a very fortunate guy. The owner don't appear to restrict tenants with regard to where the dish can be installed.

And welcome to DBSTalk!


my guess is it's more of a case that no one has noticed yet, both of these installs are slightly blocked by bushes, where i am is wide open.

for pole install how much digging is required? and is cement needed? if i went this route i'd need something i can remove when i move out

[K4SMX]

my guess is it's more of a case that no one has noticed yet, both of these installs are slightly blocked by bushes, where i am is wide open.

for pole install how much digging is required? and is cement needed? if i went this route i'd need something i can remove when i move out
I don't know why this can't be discussed with the apartment owner in advance. I don't care how many units there are, they will eventually notice every additional dish. Since they obviously have a fairly liberal policy, I would think they would actually prefer installations which are not drilled into their structures. Perhaps you'd feel more comfortable first discussing the experiences of the other pole mount tenants with the owner. Just leave them a note on their door.

If you are getting a free install, a pole mount for the 5 LNB dish is supposed to be included. Evidently not all subcontractors are real happy with that, but that is my understanding. If you go the D-I-Y route, you'll need to dig a ~3 foot deep hole and a 2" pole which is about 7 feet long (including the 3 feet), depending on local obstructions. (That'll take about a bag and a half (120 lbs.) of Sakrete. I think the DirecTV "standard" is 150 lbs., but that's overkill.) The 2" poles are hard to find, so even if you had to give the free install guy a little extra, that's a better way to go. That'll be at least a two day project. Just make sure to periodically re-check the plumb with a level while the concrete dries to make sure no one messes with it. It needs to be dead level plumb and it needs to be an exactly 2" O.D. pipe.

Then you can plant some bushes!