Suggestions for dish upgrade options (mounted on deck)

[OverThereTooMuch]

Hello everyone!

I will be calling DTV soon to upgrade from a 3LNB dish to the 5LNB.

I currently have the dish mounted to a rail on my balcony. As you can kinda sorta see from my awful picture, the mounting pole goes up above the top of the rail (bottom of dish ends up about 6" above top of rail).

The current dish has stood up to many Seattle area windstorms over the last 7+ years. The railing itself appears to be pretty sturdy, but apparently the slimline is a lot heavier and requires at least one (or 2??) monopoles to stabilize it.

Questions:
1) Has anyone had a slimline installed on a deck like this WITHOUT using a tripod?
2) If I go with a tripod, what's the best non-permanent method of securing it to the railing?
3) If a non-penetrating roof mount is a better suggestion, will that be provided by DTV or by me?
4) Any suggestions on a way to weigh down a NPRM without it looking like poo? :)

http://www.thesatelliteshop.net/dss-non-penetrating-satellite-mount-p-674.html This one suggests concrete blocks, but I don't think that would look good to the neighbors

5) Because of the mounting location, I'll need a somewhat tall mast. Probably 5' or 6'. But so far all of the ones I've looked at with a 2" diameter mast don't appear to go above 30". Any suggestions on where I can find a taller mast?
6) Anything else I need to worry about with a dish upgrade? I'm going to ask them to re-use the existing wires so they don't have to drill again.

Thanks!

[Tiger62]

The key to your problem is finding a longer J-mount mast. My advice (assuming that you can find such an animal) is to mount the J-mount plate at the bottom of the vertical railing support(baluster), like your present installation, and use the two additional supports (monoploes) at the top of the two adjacent balusters, or two balusters further apart. You may even be able to use U-bolts to attach them, also. Good luck on trying to find a longer J-mount, though. :)

[carl6]

It looks like that is a second story balcony, so extending something from the ground isn't an option. I would not consider mounting a Slimline in the same manner as your 3-LNB dish; the vertical post (railing support/baluster) you are on is not solid enough.

I have two Slimlines. The "primary" one is roof mounted with the tripod support arms. The "spare" is lag bolted to a 4x6 support beam at the bottom of my deck without support arms using a standard Slimline mount. It gets direct wind off Puget Sound from the south-west and has held solid.

Are you considering putting the NPM on your deck? There is absolutely no possibility of mounting the dish to the side or roof of the house in a normal manner?

Carl

[OverThereTooMuch]

The key to your problem is finding a longer J-mount mast. My advice (assuming that you can find such an animal) is to mount the J-mount plate at the bottom of the vertical railing support(baluster), like your present installation, and use the two additional supports (monoploes) at the top of the two adjacent balusters, or two balusters further apart. You may even be able to use U-bolts to attach them, also. Good luck on trying to find a longer J-mount, though. :)

Thanks! Interesting suggestion. It would mean that the dish is most likely a little further out over the back of the deck, but still not in an area where it's gonna fall on anyone.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=DS-3000

Unfortunately, the only ones I can find > 28" are all 1.66" instead of 2" diameter, so I don't think this will work.

It looks like that is a second story balcony, so extending something from the ground isn't an option. I would not consider mounting a Slimline in the same manner as your 3-LNB dish; the vertical post (railing support/baluster) you are on is not solid enough.

I have two Slimlines. The "primary" one is roof mounted with the tripod support arms. The "spare" is lag bolted to a 4x6 support beam at the bottom of my deck without support arms using a standard Slimline mount. It gets direct wind off Puget Sound from the south-west and has held solid.

Are you considering putting the NPM on your deck? There is absolutely no possibility of mounting the dish to the side or roof of the house in a normal manner?
Yes, it's not ground floor. I live in a condo, so there's no way I can mount it to the house. Sorry I forgot to mention that important info. :(

And unfortunately, there's nothing else on the deck besides the railing that they could mount it to. That's why I was thinking of the NPM (which I would prefer over a concrete bucket).

[RobertE]

If you go the non-pen mount you'll want the NPR6A. It has a 2 inch mast and in most cases is tall enought to see over most railings.

[eakes]

First, looking at the picture of your mount, I am amazed that the dish has not twisted around the baluster! I know if I tried something like that the dish would not stay aligned any length of time.

One possible way to mount your new antenna: Buy some unistrut (u-shaped channel) material at HomeDepot or Lowes. Cut two pieces of sufficient length to span several of the balusters. Use u-bolts to attach the unistrut to the balusters. Place the two pieces far enough apart such that you can attach the base of the new mount to the unistrut. I would turn the mount such that the antenna pole extended into the balcony (unless the eave overhang would block the antenna view to the satellite belt). You will need a drill and bits to drill holes into the unistrut plus something to cut it to length, either a hacksaw or cutoff grinder.

[jhillestad]

See my post on this thread:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=123078

look at the picture , you could mount to a block and just put it on your deck... I use this setup on my flatdeck... its very sturdy and solid but you must use monopoles - that is a must.

[rhambling]

DTV has mounts for railings for the KAKU dish. it is called the "railmount". seen it myself and have use it on installs. the question is if your local HSP has them for use in the warehouse.

[OverThereTooMuch]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone!

If you go the non-pen mount you'll want the NPR6A. It has a 2 inch mast and in most cases is tall enought to see over most railings.3'x3' would block a large portion of my deck. :( And I can't figure out how tall the mast is (looked at several sites but it's not listed). Anyone know?

First, looking at the picture of your mount, I am amazed that the dish has not twisted around the baluster! I know if I tried something like that the dish would not stay aligned any length of time.It doesn't look like it's even twisted a little bit, so I'm pretty happy with it :)

One possible way to mount your new antenna: Buy some unistrut (u-shaped channel) material at HomeDepot or Lowes. Cut two pieces of sufficient length to span several of the balusters. Use u-bolts to attach the unistrut to the balusters. Place the two pieces far enough apart such that you can attach the base of the new mount to the unistrut. I would turn the mount such that the antenna pole extended into the balcony (unless the eave overhang would block the antenna view to the satellite belt). You will need a drill and bits to drill holes into the unistrut plus something to cut it to length, either a hacksaw or cutoff grinder.Unfortunately, you kinda lost me after "home depot or lowes" :D I'm not a very handy guy. I'm mainly looking for something simple (and hopefully cheap) I can have prepped for the install guy. But I think I kinda understand what you're talking about. It seems like there might be a retail version of that setup listed below...

See my post on this thread:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=123078

look at the picture , you could mount to a block and just put it on your deck... I use this setup on my flatdeck... its very sturdy and solid but you must use monopoles - that is a must.Interesting. But I need to raise the height of the LNB arm a little above the top of the railing, and that would have it near the middle of the railing. Again, it looks like if I could just get a bigger j-mount then this might work.

DTV has mounts for railings for the KAKU dish. it is called the "railmount". seen it myself and have use it on installs. the question is if your local HSP has them for use in the warehouse.These are the only things I could find:

http://www.dbsinstall.com/products/SI/review-SI.asp

But as far as I can tell, nobody sells them. I really like the middle one, since I don't think I'd need monopoles (it would be connected to the railing twice for stability).

[BattleZone]

DTV has mounts for railings for the KAKU dish. it is called the "railmount". seen it myself and have use it on installs. the question is if your local HSP has them for use in the warehouse.

"DirecTV" has no such mounts. The ONLY DirecTV mount is the standard mast foot.

All other mounts are aftermarket, though a number of aftermarket mounts have semi-official DirecTV approval.

Most custom mounts are made by a local manufacturer and sold regionally, which makes sense as different areas have different construction and require different solutions. But just because one area or one HSP decides to carry an aftermarket mount does NOT mean that another area will. And I assure you that DirecTV's CSRs won't have a clue either.

Keep in mind that DirecTV has ZERO installers. ALL installation work is subcontracted.

[RobertE]

"DirecTV" has no such mounts. The ONLY DirecTV mount is the standard mast foot.

All other mounts are aftermarket, though a number of aftermarket mounts have semi-official DirecTV approval.

Most custom mounts are made by a local manufacturer and sold regionally, which makes sense as different areas have different construction and require different solutions. But just because one area or one HSP decides to carry an aftermarket mount does NOT mean that another area will. And I assure you that DirecTV's CSRs won't have a clue either.

Keep in mind that DirecTV has ZERO installers. ALL installation work is subcontracted.

You may want to look at the approved mounts bulletin published 1/16/08. There are quite a few mount options that are approved and distributed directly by DirecTv.

Also if you have access to it, check out the "Under Eave, Clamp & S-Tube" mount training video on ch 578.

[OverThereTooMuch]

I'm not an installer (obviously :D). So for me, where's the best place to look for a wider variety of mounts? The rail mount mentioned above isn't available anywhere for sale (at least not that I can find)

[samrs]

You may want to look at the approved mounts bulletin published 1/16/08. There are quite a few mount options that are approved and distributed directly by DirecTv.

Also if you have access to it, check out the "Under Eave, Clamp & S-Tube" mount training video on ch 578.

I got pretty excited when I watched that video, almost passed the test. No more free pole mounts for houses with hot tin roofs. The warehouse babe took my equipment request an came back with some poles an concrete for the not stocked mounts. Another hour wasted. :rolleyes:

[OverThereTooMuch]

I'm not an installer (obviously :D). So for me, where's the best place to look for a wider variety of mounts? The rail mount mentioned above isn't available anywhere for sale (at least not that I can find)


Bump for suggestions on where I can order the hardware.

I would prefer to order the hardware and have it here before the installer gets here, rather than spend multiple weekends waiting in a 4+ hour time block for the installer to arrive.

[toober]

Ok, what you need to do is get some 2x10 lumber and cut it in 2' sections. bolt 2 of these together with the balcony rails between them. This is where you will mount the foot of the mast. do the same thing a little higher to mount the brace arms and you're set. Just make sure the installer predrills the holes to avoid splitting the lumber. This should be a very solid mount.

[OverThereTooMuch]

Still looking for suggestions on where I can order a ready-made rail mount for the 5LNB dish. I'd prefer one of the "official" ones that RobertE mentioned. Anyone have any pointers?

[NYCEGUY01]

Still looking for suggestions on where I can order a ready-made rail mount for the 5LNB dish. I'd prefer one of the "official" ones that RobertE mentioned. Anyone have any pointers?


If your in WA Ironwood is probably your HSP. They have the rail mounts in the warehouse. 100% sure. Get ahold of the HSP local office and make sure they have the tech bring one with him.

Better yet if thier office isnt too far away just go get one from them, you might have to buy it from them but it will be cheaper from them than probably anywhere else.

The rail mount is a nice piece. I have installed many of them myself. 15 min max and youre ready to go.