Should I remove my 3 LNB dish before the installer arrives?

[pclausen]

So I have an install scheduled for Monday and I want to get everything ready before the dude gets here. I currently have a 3 LNB dish that I installed myself that replaced the 2 LNB dish that was on the house when I bought it some years back.

I want the new dish to be mounted in the same spot. I realize the installer needs to replace the current mast, which is fine as the mounting surface on the side of the house will easily accomodate the 6" x 9" base of the new mount. I understand that there is also a need to install a pair of struts to make things extra secure?

Here's a picture of my current install. I know its not pretty with the 3 cables running through the window and all. I meant to go back and fix it but never got around to it.

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/dish1.jpg

As you can see, the mount is real close to a window. Here's an up close shot from the window. You can also see the 2 cables from the original install. I'll be cutting those as they went to the attic, which almost impossible to access. Will there be a problem installing the 2 extra struts?

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/dish2.jpg

I was able to replace the 2 LNB dish from the window. It was easy as all I had to do was pull off the old dish and stick the new one on there. Should I go ahead and remove the 3 LNB dish and base prior to the installer showing up on Monday?

Will he be able to install the new mount from the window or do I need to call ahead and tell him to bring a really tall ladder (he'll need a 30 ft one I think.)

Ok, moving to the inside of the room, you can see that the mount is behind a finished wall. There is an opening out to a storage area to the left where the splitter will go. From there I got conduit running downstairs and across to the various rooms with receivers, so pulling fresh cables to those locations will be a breeze.

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/dish3.jpg

To do a neat job, I'll need to remove the drywall from behing the mounting base over to the door to the storage area. Of course I could cheat and take the easy way out and drill all the way through the wall from just below the base and then just run the cable along the baseboard and into the storage room.

Anyway, my main questions are as follows:

1. Given my current mounting location, will the installer try to talk me into a roof install?

2. Should I remove my current dish and mount prior to his arrival?

3. Should I remove the drywall or drill the needed hole to below the base prior to his arrival?

The last questions of course depends on the answer to #1. Decisions, decisions...

[RobertE]

I understand that there is also a need to install a pair of struts to make things extra secure?

The monopoles are required per D* on roof/wall installs

Will there be a problem installing the 2 extra struts?

I see no reason why it should create a problem other than the extra holes in your siding.

Should I go ahead and remove the 3 LNB dish and base prior to the installer showing up on Monday?

Anything that you can do ahead of time will save the installer time, but mainly it will ensure that its done the way you want. However, in the event that Murphys law kicks in, you wouldn't have to put it back up.

Will he be able to install the new mount from the window or do I need to call ahead and tell him to bring a really tall ladder (he'll need a 30 ft one I think.)

It would be really tricky to install one of those beasts from a window. Depending on the size of your window, it might not even fit through. Calling the installation company about needing a 30 or 40 ladder is a good idea. If they act on that information is another story. See Murphys law. I myself carry a 28 & 16 footer. Do not like that 40 at all. Too bouncy.


Anyway, my main questions are as follows:

1. Given my current mounting location, will the installer try to talk me into a roof install?

2. Should I remove my current dish and mount prior to his arrival?

3. Should I remove the drywall or drill the needed hole to below the base prior to his arrival?

The last questions of course depends on the answer to #1. Decisions, decisions...


1. The installer will recommend and/or do whatever will be the easiest/least time consuming for him.

2. I'd leave it in place, just in case of Murphy.

3. Depends on if you want to do the work now or later. :grin: Personally, I'd do it now and get it over with.

[pclausen]

The monopoles are required per D* on roof/wall installs



I see no reason why it should create a problem other than the extra holes in your siding.
Cool. I don't mind the holes as long as he (or I) silicone them well.

Anything that you can do ahead of time will save the installer time, but mainly it will ensure that its done the way you want. However, in the event that Murphys law kicks in, you wouldn't have to put it back up.
Very true, with the right tools ready, it won't take me but a couple of minutes to remove it, so I'll wait until he arrives.

It would be really tricky to install one of those beasts from a window. Depending on the size of your window, it might not even fit through. Calling the installation company about needing a 30 or 40 ladder is a good idea. If they act on that information is another story. See Murphys law. I myself carry a 28 & 16 footer. Do not like that 40 at all. Too bouncy.
I have a 20 ladder and it doesn't even come close to reaching. I'll meassure the elevation from ground in the morning before calling them.

1. The installer will recommend and/or do whatever will be the easiest/least time consuming for him.
Sigh, that's what I'm afraid off....

3. Depends on if you want to do the work now or later. :grin: Personally, I'd do it now and get it over with.
Yeah, I'll do it now I think.

Thanks!

[armophob]

Without getting into great detail, if trees or line of sight is not an issue. Why not mount the new dish down low on the concrete surface above or around the AC. Then find a better path for the cables now or later. Most mount high for sight trouble. Looks like a nice view of the house from the first pic, and the 5lmb dish is going to be so much more of a distraction up there. Down below the dish becomes part of the 'utility' area. I think most installers now carry white rg6 that they could fasten up the corners and grooves.

[pclausen]

Without getting into great detail, if trees or line of sight is not an issue. Why not mount the new dish down low on the concrete surface above or around the AC. Then find a better path for the cables now or later. Most mount high for sight trouble. Looks like a nice view of the house from the first pic, and the 5lmb dish is going to be so much more of a distraction up there. Down below the dish becomes part of the 'utility' area. I think most installers now carry white rg6 that they could fasten up the corners and grooves.
Thanks for the advice! That was a really good idea.

The Ironwood installer showed up around 11am and he was done around 2pm. I drilled the hole through the cement filled cinder block wall (12" thick) and pulled the dual RG6 cables to their destinations while he mounted the dish. Signal strength to both tuners were between 98% and 100% on all sattelittes. No complaints there!

Job turned out real nice I think.

Inside work:

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/dish4.jpg


Dish install:

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/dish5.jpg

View to the South (no issues at all and I have to wonder why the original dish was mounted so high)

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/dish6.jpg

[davring]

After reading so many install nightmares, this is refreshing. Nice view.

[JACKIEGAGA]

That was a great install. He did a great job count your blessings there are so many bad installs. I was one of the lucky ones with a great install.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Great install and with the signals you have you should have no problems at all.

[RobertE]

Very nice. Looks extremely solid too.

With that line of sight, does make one wonder why it was that high to start with?

One additional thing you could do is put some fencing around your AC & Dish area, and no one will know what you have back there. :)

[pclausen]

Yes, after doing some initial research last week after placing the order, I was very concerned. The installer was a pleasure to work with. As I was getting ready to mount the piece of plywood for the splitter, he initially handed me this little grounding block with 4 f-connector bullets on it, and I said that this will just barely allow me to hook up the 3 receivers I presently have. He then handed me 6x8 Zinwell and said "Use this instead, I'll just have to call and add it to the order".

The only other issue was when we hooked up the HR20, he said to plug in the phone line, and I said that I don't have a landline active right now but that I had been thinking of re-activating one. He then paused for a minute and gave me "that look", but then said no problem. He did make me tell the DirecTV operator to disable ordering PPV via the remote on all receivers, which I did. No biggie since I always order those via their website anyway (rare since I mostly get Bluray/HD-DVD from Netflix anyway.)

Thanks for the comments about the nice view, but the previous shots just don't do it justice. Here are some better ones. Those are the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and that funny looking cement thing is the pier for my telescope.

Driveway:

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/mountain_view.jpg

Back deck:

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/theview.jpg

[VeniceDre]

Nice place with a great view!!! No nosey neighbors... Must be very quiet and peaceful.

[aim2pls]

nice job .. nice to see .... want a room mate ??

to answer the question as to why the original dish was mounted so high >>>> doesn't everyone know it's cuz it's closer to the sats .... (just ask a pro installer LOL)