View Full Version : 5LNB self-install?
Hi guys,
I'm a longtime D* customer, currently with 4 DirecTivos on a regular 2 LNB dish, and am looking into upgrading one to an HD receiver. I really don't want to deal with installers and all that crap, and it seems like the dish and switch are easily found on ebay. I've always installed my own dish, run my own lines, etc. So what I'm wondering is, how difficult is the installation of the dish? I watched the video from the SolidSignal site, and they use an electronic meter to help align the dish- is that really necessary?
Thanks!
veryoldschool
11-29-07, 12:16 PM
Would I do it without a meter? Sure.
What is harder than the older dish is the narrow Ka beams [99 & 103 SATs].
If you watched the video, you know about the fine tuning that isn't on the older dish.
You really need to "nail" the Ka SATs.
Also the 5 LNB dish is heavy so it needs to be mounted into something solid [framing].
You'll have no problems using your receiver instead of a signal meter. It's much easier to do a 2" pole mount, haul the receiver and a small TV out to the dish, and align from there.
As a long-time eBayer, I prefer to buy my AU9-S Slimlines from Summit Source (http://www.summitsource.com/directv-au9s-slimline-ka-ku-5-lnb-hdtv-satellite-dish-antenna-integrated-mpeg4-multisat-receivers-for-local-programming-with-builtin-multiswitch-feed-arm-mounting-assembly-at9-replacement-dish-part-au9s-p-6336.html), since they have always come with the WNC (Wistron NeWeb) LNB. They're drop shipped from Perfect10 Distributing in Arkansas and arrive in just a few days. This is a large item, which can be permanently damaged in shipping..... I don't need to deal with LNB brands I don't want or which don't work or with dishes damaged in shipping, because shipping this dish back to an eBay seller makes it not worth any saving. The price is already ridiculously low considering what you are buying.
I put up my own 5LNB dish and used the signal meter on the HR20 to align it.
Everything works fine.
redwoode
11-29-07, 12:53 PM
Did mine myself as well. Bought a meter before the install but in hindsight could have done it without. Used receiver meters to fine-tune for best 103b signals anyway.
Good luck!
Don't need the meter. Signals off the reciever (H or HR 20/21) are sufficient. If you have seen the video already, you are half way there.
randyk47
11-29-07, 02:29 PM
I paid to have my Slimline installed because it was a bit of a spooky location and at my age I'm not to excited to fall 30 feet off a steeply pitched roof onto a concrete driveway. If not for that I'd not hesitate to give it a try. My installer had dropped his meter and broken it several months ago so he used a tiny TV and an old receiver right at the dish. Plugged in one of my long extension cords in the garage and he was off and running. Nailed the settings across the board.
Mike500
11-29-07, 02:32 PM
Use this adapter...A colleague of mine developed it. We love it, and it saves a ton of time...........
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150189380905&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=005
Awesome, just what I was hoping for. I've got the dish and switch ordered already, and will just prowl around looking for the best deal on a receiver. I take it there is no problem with me simply using the same 2 coax runs I already had hooked into the DirecTivo, right?
Its probably futile, but I guess I will now have to find an HR20. My locals on the sat aren't carried in HD yet.
Thanks guys!
techrep
11-29-07, 02:47 PM
The meter is a convenience device and saves time but is not required.
Rough point the dish to sat 101 (set tilt for sat 119) and then, as VOS says, "nail" the fine adjustment of sat 103b.
As K4SMX says, Summit Source has a good rep as does Solid Signal.
One thing many people mistakenly do the first time they assemble a Slimline: install the 3 tilt screws backwards. Once you start to put it together you'll see what I mean. As long as your mast is dead plumb, after setting the EL for your location, you should have no trouble finding the 101.
Additional info: Advisory to Do-It-Yourself Dish Re-Aligners (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=100397&page=2&highlight=Advisory), post #44, as applicable. Pay particular attention to the comments about understanding how the mount is designed so you don't accidentally damage it.
RobertE
11-29-07, 05:29 PM
One thing many people mistakenly do the first time they assemble a Slimline: install the 3 tilt screws backwards. Once you start to put it together you'll see what I mean. As long as your mast is dead plumb, after setting the EL for your location, you should have no trouble finding the 101.
Additional info: Advisory to Do-It-Yourself Dish Re-Aligners (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=100397&page=2&highlight=Advisory), post #44, as applicable. Pay particular attention to the comments about understanding how the mount is designed so you don't accidentally damage it.
Ah come on. Don't take all the fun out of it by giving away all the oopsies. :lol:
:lol: It's such a PIA oopsie, though, because you have to disassemble so much just assembled stuff! Not the way you want to begin your "Slimline experience"....
There are worse things. I know you've been around long enough, Robert, to know that sick feeling you used to get when you realized you'd just soldered the center pin and all four holes for the shield on a PL-259 coax connector and then saw the screw cap laying on the floor instead of already on the coaxial cable. Not too good when you put it on the cable, but put it on backwards, either! :nono2:
RobertE
11-29-07, 08:07 PM
I always got a chuckle out of the rookies putting together the AT-9. Everyone the first time either put the skew bolt/nuts backwards and/or put the side car on with the LNBs pointing out.
Yes, I'm a SOB. I've let some of them install the dish with the LNB that way. Wait for the them to try and find the 119. Hold my laughing. Ask them to step back and take a real good look at the dish. I'ts great, you can see a little countdown clock until a moment of clarity. :D
I always got a chuckle out of the rookies putting together the AT-9. Everyone the first time either put the skew bolt/nuts backwards and/or put the side car on with the LNBs pointing out.
Yes, I'm a SOB. I've let some of them install the dish with the LNB that way. Wait for the them to try and find the 119. Hold my laughing. Ask them to step back and take a real good look at the dish. I'ts great, you can see a little countdown clock until a moment of clarity. :D
More like a blinding flash of observation! :eek2:
Does the mounting pole (I'd like to attach to a brick wall ) have a bigger footprint than the mounting pole for a 2 - 3 LNB dish? It would be great if this new wider mount would allign with the holes already there.
Mike500
11-30-07, 09:11 AM
Does the mounting pole (I'd like to attach to a brick wall ) have a bigger footprint than the mounting pole for a 2 - 3 LNB dish? It would be great if this new wider mount would allign with the holes already there.
No, the holes for the new dish are wider and will not fit the hole pattern of the older pole. THat is the reason for the pole adapter that uses the older pole;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150189380905&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=005
So are you saying with that adapter, I can simply lift my 2 LNB dish off the mount, and slide the 5LNB back on? Are there any sturdiness issues that could arise from that (or are the two mounts essentially the same, diameter not withstanding)?
I have my 2LNB dish mounted on a 2x4 that I screwed into a stud on the corner of the house. The 2x4 is secured at the top, bottom and middle, so it's pretty sturdy.
Mike500
11-30-07, 09:45 AM
So are you saying with that adapter, I can simply lift my 2 LNB dish off the mount, and slide the 5LNB back on? Are there any sturdiness issues that could arise from that (or are the two mounts essentially the same, diameter not withstanding)?
I have my 2LNB dish mounted on a 2x4 that I screwed into a stud on the corner of the house. The 2x4 is secured at the top, bottom and middle, so it's pretty sturdy.
Yep!
You'd need two monopoles. Attach them to the adapter at the bottom of the mounting ferule and extend them horizontally to each of the two 2x4 on either side and screw them down.
That will make the mounting extra sturdy.
It's one vertically mounted 2x4 actually, with the current dish mounted approximately in the middle. I mounted it there and that way to clear some foliage that I can't do anything about, nor am I able to put a pole anywhere in the yard. If only I had rented across the street, coulda been facing south without worrying about any trees. :)
Mike500
11-30-07, 02:21 PM
It's one vertically mounted 2x4 actually, with the current dish mounted approximately in the middle. I mounted it there and that way to clear some foliage that I can't do anything about, nor am I able to put a pole anywhere in the yard. If only I had rented across the street, coulda been facing south without worrying about any trees. :)
In your case, if you post a photo, we can recommend a good engineered solution.
bonscott87
11-30-07, 05:06 PM
You'll have no problems using your receiver instead of a signal meter. It's much easier to do a 2" pole mount, haul the receiver and a small TV out to the dish, and align from there.
As a long-time eBayer, I prefer to buy my AU9-S Slimlines from Summit Source (http://www.summitsource.com/directv-au9s-slimline-ka-ku-5-lnb-hdtv-satellite-dish-antenna-integrated-mpeg4-multisat-receivers-for-local-programming-with-builtin-multiswitch-feed-arm-mounting-assembly-at9-replacement-dish-part-au9s-p-6336.html), since they have always come with the WNC (Wistron NeWeb) LNB. They're drop shipped from Perfect10 Distributing in Arkansas and arrive in just a few days. This is a large item, which can be permanently damaged in shipping..... I don't need to deal with LNB brands I don't want or which don't work or with dishes damaged in shipping, because shipping this dish back to an eBay seller makes it not worth any saving. The price is already ridiculously low considering what you are buying.
My AT9 LNB has taken a crap. It's LNB is CalAmp or something like that. Is that the "bad" LNB? I think I'm just going to order a Slimline instead of signing up for the protection plan and dealing with all that hassle. I've always installed my own stuff anyway.
My AT9 LNB has taken a crap. It's LNB is CalAmp or something like that. Is that the "bad" LNB? I think I'm just going to order a Slimline instead of signing up for the protection plan and dealing with all that hassle. I've always installed my own stuff anyway.
Well each brand has had some total failures like yours. The Calamp's, however, with a couple of reported exceptions, have not fared well on 103(b) signal strength in either the AT-9 or AU9-S models.
It would probably be delivered by mid to late next week. Honestly, I don't know how this thing can be manufactured and packaged at this price, when you consider the value of a 5 satellite LNB, a very well-made mount, and a heavy weight cardboard shipping carton that would cost you at least 20 bucks if you could find one that big at the pack-and-ship. I think you're right: I'd rather pay $100 knowing I'd be seeing it next week vs. the hassle of a semi-free replacement at some unknown date in the future after a long telephone tree experience.
TheRatPatrol
11-30-07, 10:23 PM
I've installed 2 Slimelines using the HR20's signal meter, got 95+ on all sats when I was finished. Its very easy to put up, and with the fine adjustments screws its easier to fine tune. Get a friend to help you if you can.
bonscott87
12-01-07, 11:03 AM
I've certainly got no problem installing it myself. I've always installed all my own dishes with the only exception the AT9 upgrade last year which I had to redo myself anyway cause they screwed it up.
I just took down the AT9 and put my old Phase III back up (I always keep a spare just in case) and I'm back in business, no MPEG4 HD of course.
I think I'm going to order from Sadoun as I got all my FTA equipment from them and I can get a signal meter for cheap in a package with the Slimline. Hopefully no CalAmp LNB from them! :)
Thanks guys.
Mighty fine. Gotta have spare everything, if for no other reason than troubleshooting. Since that signal meter isn't going to cover the Ka satellites, you're going to end up using your receiver anyway... At least you know it was the dish!
bonscott87
12-01-07, 01:45 PM
Mighty fine. Gotta have spare everything, if for no other reason than troubleshooting. Since that signal meter isn't going to cover the Ka satellites, you're going to end up using your receiver anyway... At least you know it was the dish!
Yea, it won't do KA but I can fine tune 101 properly and go from there. Plus the signal meter will help me fine tune Galaxy 25 better on my FTA system as I'm a bit low on that one. :D
I tell you though, I remember thinking how big that Phase III was but now it looks so small compared to the AT9. It's tiny.
.....It's tiny.
And tinny! The dish mount on the 5 LNB dish is a real piece of well-engineered hardware by comparison.
Once you attach the new 2 in. mounting mast to the wall, how far from the wall is it (once it's plumb). My neighbor has a slimline and he has it mounted on the roof and the dish looks really big (with a slight tilt). It looks to me that the dish would hit the wall. Has this happend to anyone?
Mike500
12-04-07, 05:18 PM
The important terms that apply are turning radius and swing or kickout.
The turning radius is the horizontal distance between two vertical plumb lines; one being the center of the mounting stub of the pole and the other being the extremity of at the right or left edge of the dish. This varies between the right and left side of the dish depending on the tilt and elevation angles for a dish installed at a particular geographical location.
Swing or kickout is a set figure for any "J" pole, when mounted on a wall, since both the mounting stub and wall is purportedly vertical.
Ideally, if turning radius does not exceed kickout, the dish could be swung 90 degrees or more without having the edge hit the wall.
On a roof, the surface is not vertical and varies with the pitch of the roof; more with low pitched roofs and less with high pitches ones.
Almost no pole that comes with the dish has a large kickout or swing, since that increases the load on the mount due to a longer torque arm or lever arm. The controlling factor is almost always cost.
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