Will they do this install?

[evan_s]

I'm looking to get DirecTV since I'm feed up with Comcast and would like to get the HD channels they don't offer yet like Discovery and SciFi. I'm Currently in an apartment and checked with the management and they said we can mount a dish on our balcony but not to the building or the roof. I'm not worried about line of sight since my balcony has a totally clear south/south east LOS over a road.

I know they won't normally do a pole in a bucket of cement or a tripod for a HD dish which causes problems for apartments. My apartment has a tubular steel handrail that looks like it should work well to mount a dish to. Looking around my apartment complex I don't see any 5lbn hd dishes but I do see one WorldDish on another apartment mounted to the handrail.

I assume I'd want to at least have the mount hardware on hand before if not have already mounted a pole but does this sound like it would work? More importantly will I actually be able to get an installer to do the install? Any suggestions on what mounting hardware to use?

[inkahauts]

I've see installers put slimline dishes on tripods, and I installed mine on one, with something of an unusual modification due to a line of sight issue... The installer should show up with or go and get any hardware that is needed to do your install, as long as you understand they will do it the way they believe is easiest and stable...

I attached a pic of my dish for peoples amusement...

[litzdog911]

I've see installers put slimline dishes on tripods, and I installed mine on one, with something of an unusual modification due to a line of sight issue... The installer should show up with or go and get any hardware that is needed to do your install, as long as you understand they will do it the way they believe is easiest and stable...

I attached a pic of my dish for peoples amusement...

Nice setup! Are those pipes screwed into your deck?

[evan_s]

I've see installers put slimline dishes on tripods, and I installed mine on one, with something of an unusual modification due to a line of sight issue... The installer should show up with or go and get any hardware that is needed to do your install, as long as you understand they will do it the way they believe is easiest and stable...

I attached a pic of my dish for peoples amusement...

That is interesting looking.

I'm not against a tripod I had just read that the bigger wind load on the hd dishes meant they weren't stable enough. I guess ultimately it will all depend on the installer anyway.

[veryoldschool]

Maybe a picture of your railing would help.
If the uprights are strong, several have used chain link fencing hardware to clamp the pole to their railing and had no problems.
This type of hardware should be on hand before installation.

[evan_s]

I'll have to try that when I get home tonight but I currently don't have any reliable internet access. Cable internet is due to be hooked up saturday. Unfortunately comcast is still the best option on this side of things.

The rail seems to be very solid and is pretty good sized tubing. Chain link fencing stuff sounds exactly like the type of thing I was thinking of.

[Mike500]

A lot of apartments do not allow you to mount on a railing or to extend beyond and outside of it.

The 5lnb requires a two inch actual diameter pole. This means a special tripod that will accept the the HARD to FIND larger diameter pole.

We use a standard HEAVY DUTY tripod that can be had at any Radio Shack for $35. A 1-5/8 inch galvanized chain link fence line post will fit in the standard size tripod. It is $6 at Home Depot, but all you need is a 30 inch section.

My fellow subcontractor developed this versatile adapter that allows you to mount the socket of the 5lnb AU9 slimline on the 1-5/8 pole.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150220543836&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=005

We've done nearly 70+ installs this way, and it works great.

[redfiver]

My fellow subcontractor developed this versatile adapter that allows you to mount the socket of the 5lnb AU9 slimline on the 1-5/8 pole.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150220543836&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=005

We've done nearly 70+ installs this way, and it works great.

I bought one of these and it worked great to adapt an old mount to the slimline. Have had no problems with it.

[joe diamond]

I've see installers put slimline dishes on tripods, and I installed mine on one, with something of an unusual modification due to a line of sight issue... The installer should show up with or go and get any hardware that is needed to do your install, as long as you understand they will do it the way they believe is easiest and stable...

I attached a pic of my dish for peoples amusement...

Inkahuts, Inkahuts!

The installer will show up with a wrench and a receiver. Do not advise folks they travel with extra hardware...........The HSPs will try to get a piece of the action but there will be a need to reschedule & reschedule until the installer and the extra mounting stuff is at the same address.

Another way.........order a non penetrating roof mount ( from a DTV accessory dealer) and have it on the deck...specify a 2" mast for the HD dish. When the next moving day arrives take all as you move.

Installers have enough to do to keep their fly up and their shirt tucked in.........extra mounting frames! Geezzzzzs!

Joe

[Mike500]

I'd agree with Joe;

Don't expect the HSP installer to have any form of specialty supplies. They only carry the minimum of parts to do quick and high volume installs.

That's were local dealers and their suncontractors come into their realm.

If you have the system of the tripod, mast and adapter ready, it is a "no brainer' for an HSP installer. They just mount the dish, connect up the receivers and align it to get the signal.

Everyone is happy.

[evan_s]

I finally managed to get some pictures taken. They are on the crappy side since they are just with my camera in my cell phone but they still give you a good idea of what I'm working with. Yes I still haven't taken my christmas lights down :eek2:

The railing seems to be ~1.5 inch diameter and seems to be well secured. My thought was to get a fence post, a couple u-bolts and the adapter that I've seen mentioned in several posts. Using the u-bolts secure the fence post to the corner post of the railing and mount the dish to the top of that. The corner in the first picture gives a clear SE view that should be perfect for a sat.

I know people generally recommend against mounting to the rails but mine seem to be heavy duty enough to handle it and there are already dishes in the complex mounted to the rails so it shouldn't be a problem with management.

[houskamp]

I finally managed to get some pictures taken. They are on the crappy side since they are just with my camera in my cell phone but they still give you a good idea of what I'm working with. Yes I still haven't taken my christmas lights down :eek2:

The railing seems to be ~1.5 inch diameter and seems to be well secured. My thought was to get a fence post, a couple u-bolts and the adapter that I've seen mentioned in several posts. Using the u-bolts secure the fence post to the corner post of the railing and mount the dish to the top of that. The corner in the first picture gives a clear SE view that should be perfect for a sat.

I know people generally recommend against mounting to the rails but mine seem to be heavy duty enough to handle it and there are already dishes in the complex mounted to the rails so it shouldn't be a problem with management.
is that a porch rail or a jail?? :eek2: :lol:

[Mike500]

I finally managed to get some pictures taken. They are on the crappy side since they are just with my camera in my cell phone but they still give you a good idea of what I'm working with. Yes I still haven't taken my christmas lights down :eek2:

The railing seems to be ~1.5 inch diameter and seems to be well secured. My thought was to get a fence post, a couple u-bolts and the adapter that I've seen mentioned in several posts. Using the u-bolts secure the fence post to the corner post of the railing and mount the dish to the top of that. The corner in the first picture gives a clear SE view that should be perfect for a sat.

I know people generally recommend against mounting to the rails but mine seem to be heavy duty enough to handle it and there are already dishes in the complex mounted to the rails so it shouldn't be a problem with management.


Looks like it is very substantial. It should work just fine!

[Hansen]

I finally managed to get some pictures taken. They are on the crappy side since they are just with my camera in my cell phone but they still give you a good idea of what I'm working with. Yes I still haven't taken my christmas lights down :eek2:

The railing seems to be ~1.5 inch diameter and seems to be well secured. My thought was to get a fence post, a couple u-bolts and the adapter that I've seen mentioned in several posts. Using the u-bolts secure the fence post to the corner post of the railing and mount the dish to the top of that. The corner in the first picture gives a clear SE view that should be perfect for a sat.

I know people generally recommend against mounting to the rails but mine seem to be heavy duty enough to handle it and there are already dishes in the complex mounted to the rails so it shouldn't be a problem with management.


That looks very good for securing a pole to for the dish. Sounds like you've got a solid plan. Find some matching paint for the fence post and it'll blend right in.

[SDizzle]

I've see installers put slimline dishes on tripods, and I installed mine on one, with something of an unusual modification due to a line of sight issue... The installer should show up with or go and get any hardware that is needed to do your install, as long as you understand they will do it the way they believe is easiest and stable...

I attached a pic of my dish for peoples amusement...

That is VERY creative!!! I like it.

[RobertE]

I finally managed to get some pictures taken. They are on the crappy side since they are just with my camera in my cell phone but they still give you a good idea of what I'm working with. Yes I still haven't taken my christmas lights down :eek2:

The railing seems to be ~1.5 inch diameter and seems to be well secured. My thought was to get a fence post, a couple u-bolts and the adapter that I've seen mentioned in several posts. Using the u-bolts secure the fence post to the corner post of the railing and mount the dish to the top of that. The corner in the first picture gives a clear SE view that should be perfect for a sat.

I know people generally recommend against mounting to the rails but mine seem to be heavy duty enough to handle it and there are already dishes in the complex mounted to the rails so it shouldn't be a problem with management.

Your railing is the exception to the rule for a couple of reasons. First, thats a heavy duty rail, only weak points will be where it attaches to the structure. Second, it looks like your on the first or second floor? If it were to fall, it won't fall far. It could still hurt someone, but won't do nearly as much damage as say from the 17th floor. :p

I'd u-bolt the 2" od pole right in the corner, dish goes on it. HD TV bliss. :grin:

[veryoldschool]

I'd u-bolt the 2" od pole right in the corner, dish goes on it. HD TV bliss. :grin:
Better yet would be to use the clamps used with chainlink fence panels [which are more of an "H" clamp]
They look something like this:
(_)
(*)

[evan_s]

I'm on the second floor but the ground level on that side is above that of the first floor so it's more like half a floor up. Also there is no foot traffic or anything in that area either so if something did happen the odds of someone getting hurt are pretty slim.

I was thinking of the 1 5/8 pole with an adapter because the 2" OD poles seem to be a lot harder to find from what I've been reading on the boards and may end up being more expensive than a simple fence post and adapter.

The only thing I'm not sure about is how to make sure the pole doesn't twist and what to do with the 2 support legs for the dish assuming I need them.

[Slowhand]

If you are going to mount the antenna to the railing be prepared for the management company asking you to sign a form that you are liable for any damages. Many management companies do not want antennas mounted to railings because they can cause structural weakening of the railing and the concrete anchoring it.

To repair or replace the railing is very expensive because the railing must be anchored in new concrete below the surface of the concrete deck. Many management companies regularly inspect railings and balconies because of the liability issues of someone falling if they are leaning on a weak railing.

The wind surface area of the 5 lnb dish is much greater than the single lnb and the resulting forces that the dish could cause to the railing is also much greater.

Slowhand

[Grentz]

The only thing I'm not sure about is how to make sure the pole doesn't twist and what to do with the 2 support legs for the dish assuming I need them.

The support legs come from the pole not the dish, so if you are supplying your own pole system that is very sturdy, you will not have any extra support legs.

To prevent twisting you could just make sure it is clamped down very well or rig some sort of pin setup through the pipe.

[Mike500]

I'm on the second floor but the ground level on that side is above that of the first floor so it's more like half a floor up. Also there is no foot traffic or anything in that area either so if something did happen the odds of someone getting hurt are pretty slim.

I was thinking of the 1 5/8 pole with an adapter because the 2" OD poles seem to be a lot harder to find from what I've been reading on the boards and may end up being more expensive than a simple fence post and adapter.

The only thing I'm not sure about is how to make sure the pole doesn't twist and what to do with the 2 support legs for the dish assuming I need them.

If you are mounting on that heavy railing, the 1-5/8 pole with adapter needs to stick up no more that six (6) inches above the railing. With such a short "lever arm," NO braces will be needed. The braces or "monopoles" are only needed to strengthen the mount, because the "lever arm" woyld be two to three foot long.

The adapter locks it self tight using the mounting bolts supplied with the dish's mount. Just one small sheet metal screw into the side of the pole would keep it from turning, where it is bolted to the railing.

You've really got a very simple setup.