Mast sizes?

[tripod76]

Greetings . . .

I've just switched from Dish to DirecTV. The installer is set to come out on Friday. (I'm getting a 2-room DirecTivo system.)

I'd like to use the same mast/location that my current Dish 500 system is set up on, but the installer said that he wasn't sure if they would be able to use it or not. I didn't realize there would be any difference or any problem, but the installer said the DirecTV masts were a different size.

Is there a difference is sizes, and if so, is it enough to mean that it won't work? I'd hate to have another set of holes drilled in the roof. :-)

Thanks,
Loren

[Jacob S]

Dish Network and DirecTv dish masts are the same size.

Just to note, when the new SuperDish comes out it will require a larger mast size, so I am not sure if the ParaTodos dishes use a different size mast or not than the 18"/20" dishes currently in use.

[Mike500]

The para todos mast size is the same as for all DirecTV and Dish Network dishes. It is 1-5/8" or 1.665." This is the diemeter for nominal 1-1/4" water pipe or rigid conduit. Chain link fence line post is this diameter. The Super Dish will have either a 2.0" or a 2.38" mast depending on the manufacturer. 2.38" is the diameter of 2" nominal pipe and Ridgid conduit. Chain link fence end post is also this diameter.

[Jacob S]

I wonder why Dish is going to use a larger mast for the SuperDish than what is used on the ParaTodos dish? Is the weight/size that much different between the two? I figured the SuperDish would be made of plastic/fiberglass like the Primestar dishes were.

[Mike500]

It has to do with the manufacturer. Most dishes are manufactured by CalAmp (formerly KTI), ChannelMaster and Winegard. Para todos requires a smaller dish, 18x24." The superdish will be the size of a Primestar dish. Most are made by ChannelMaster, who manufacturers the DirecDuo and DirecWay dishes. I don't recall, but there is one manufacturer that makes a fta ku dish that has a 2" actual diameter pole. I'd try to stay away from that one. I had to mount a few on ground poles. Unless you order special 2" actual diameter tubing (i.e. expensive), the mast clamp is just a little too big for 1-1/2 pipe/ridgid conduit (actual diameter 1.90") and too small for 2" nominal (actual diameter 2.38" Use the mounting arm provided, and you're o.k., but avoid the hassles, if you do a pole mount. For this size dish, a pole mount would be preferred.

[boba]

As the dish size increases the wind load increases so the pipe becomes larger as does the mounting foot, it spreads the load over a larger surface area. Back to the original question Sony did use a smaller dia. pipe on there white dishes but everyone else has used the same dia. pipe. If your Directv installer told you it was a different size watch your add on charges it sounds like he plans on charging you extra for work he may not be performing.

[Jacob S]

I figured if the SuperDish was 26 inches (in which was reported previously) compared to the ParaTodos dish that is 24 inches (I believe but not certain) then I would not think it would be that great of a difference if they are about the same size but it could be a big enough difference in size to where the bigger mast is a must. I would have thought that they would have tried to make the dish lightweight enough to be able to use the current mounts to make dish upgrades a lot easier. Most of the SuperDishes will probably be used for upgrades for a while.

[Mike500]

I recall seeing the information on the SuperDish mast on the following post:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=17394&highlight=dish+answers

Specifically, it states:

Q: Since the Super Dish is a larger size, will it be able to use the same mast as the Dish 500 ant it will be replacing, or will a new mast be required?

A new mast is required. Right now we are looking at SuperDishes from two vendors. We will probably distribute this based on geographical areas. There are two different mast sizes, 2" and 2 3/8". The volume is larger on the 2" mast product.

[John Corn]

I mounted my Dish 500 on a 1.810" galvanized pole, today at work I made a 6" long sleeve with a 2" outside diameter and bored the inside diameter ti 1.815 to slip over my 1.810 pole in preparation for SuperDish.

[Mike500]

I will be manufacturing an adapter from 2"OD x 1.75" ID tubing with six holes for tapped screws to adjust the adapter to plumb.

As a professional installer, you will never know what is out there and how many out of plumb poles you will find.

So, you need and adjustable adaptor.

[John Corn]

Mike you might consider drilling a pilot hole in the sleeve for a roll pin or maybe just use one of your existing bolt holes, that way it wont spin......after you have it plumb of course. :)

At installation the only thing you would have to do is put the sleeve on and drill a hole through the galvanized pipe after you have it plumb. :righton:

[Mike500]

That wouldn't be needed, John. It will be six bolts two sets of three, spaced 120 degrees apart and 2 inches apart parallel to the axis of the tube. It will clamp like a chuck on 6 points, so it won't turn. They had these during the c-band days. I haven't decided on tapping the tubing or welding nuts over holes drilled into the side of the tubing adaptor.

[Jacob S]

This sounds like something that a lot of installers are going to need when they go to swap out the Dish 300/500 for a SuperDish.

I imagine that the adapter should not be used on mounts seeing that the tubing is thinner and would not be able to support the weight as well and that it would be easier to replace a mount than a pole that is already concreted in the ground especially considering the mount will probalby be included with the SuperDish.

[John Corn]

My original stock size was 2" OD/ 1.5" ID x 6" lg.
I bored out the 1.5" ID to 1.815 to fit over my 1.810 galvanized pipe.
My sleeve is 6" long, but I only bored 4 " deep, which leaves a shoulder.
I should be able to slip the sleeve over my pole until it bottoms out against the shoulder, with such a close fit all I'm going to do is drill thru my sleeve and thru the galvanized tubing and insert a roll pin to keep it from turning.

[John Corn]

Mike, check your PMessages.

[Mike500]

Posted by Jacob S,


"I imagine that the adapter should not be used on mounts seeing that the tubing is thinner and would not be able to support the weight as well and that it would be easier to replace a mount than a pole that is already concreted in the ground especially considering the mount will probalby be included with the SuperDish."

A thin pole should not be a problem, if it is a ground pole. Just grout in a rebar in the center of the pole with concrete, and use the adapter. The time it would take for the concrete to set does not matter. The thin pole will readily hold the SuperDish under a static load until the concrete completely hardens.