Line of sight and Slimline Install on Balcony

[tpayne105]

Hello all...so much great information on this site. Thank ALL of you who contribute.

My question is....I just took the plunge and ordered the HR20, along with the new dish. I currently have the 3LNB set up with HD (have the H10 system). I am using a cementbucket to support my dish now (never once have had issues with it being moved and I live in Dallas where storms occur often).

My signal strength right now averages:

85-100 on the 101 satellite :)
70-80 on the 119 satellite :confused:
50-70 on the 110 satellite :confused:

Even with the lower signals on the 110, I rarely get fade even in rain (it does happen but not that often). To my understanding, the new dish is pointed at the 101 satellite, right?

What obstacles with all this, as stated above, will I encounter with the installer? I want to be prepared. I do have an overhang on the balcony which blocks some signal...this I know....

I just want some honest opinions....will it work, what can I do to make it work, if anything?

Thanks in advance....

[carl6]

The 5-LNB looks at the same three satellites your current dish does, plus two more. One at 99 and one at 103. Both very close to 101. It looks like you have good line of sight and signal for 101, so odds are good you should get 99 and 103 okay.

A cement bucket and pipe could work, but the 5-LNB is larger, and uses a larger diamter mast (2 inch OD). You are either going to need an adapter, or a new pole. The installer may not want to screw around with the cement bucket and pipe. The pipe needs to be absolutely perfectly plumb in all directions - straight up and down.

Carl

[tpayne105]

The 5-LNB looks at the same three satellites your current dish does, plus two more. One at 99 and one at 103. Both very close to 101. It looks like you have good line of sight and signal for 101, so odds are good you should get 99 and 103 okay.

A cement bucket and pipe could work, but the 5-LNB is larger, and uses a larger diamter mast (2 inch OD). You are either going to need an adapter, or a new pole. The installer may not want to screw around with the cement bucket and pipe. The pipe needs to be absolutely perfectly plumb in all directions - straight up and down.

Carl

Thanks for the reply. The current dish is attached to a piece of wood that is
3 3/8" sqaure (each side---thick). Can they attach the new dish to the same piece of wood? The mast that came with the 3 LNB dish is what is currently being used......

If not, how can I be prepared for the installer?

Thanks

[davring]

Novice installers would certainly need a plumb pipe to make the initial settings, but it is not necessary for someone to mount it on most any angle pipe. It would just take an installer with experience and the ambition to do so. I hope you get that rare tech. I would, myself, be a little leary of a cement weighted pail because the Slimline is heavier and more prone to be moved by the wind than the smaller dishes.

[davring]

Thanks for the reply. The current dish is attached to a piece of wood that is
3 3/8" sqaure (each side---thick). Can they attach the new dish to the same piece of wood? The mast that came with the 3 LNB dish is what is currently being used......

If not, how can I be prepared for the installer?

Thanks

The mounting foot on a 5lnb dish is 6" x 9", but it is advisable to use additional braces (monopoles) to help stabilize it. The MPEG4 signals are very narrow bands and the dish needs to aimed very accurately and stay put.

[tpayne105]

Again thanks for your information. During the time I have been living where I do, I have had a few installers come out...I seem to get a plethora of types! One says this and the others say that.....some say I can get a signal, others say I can't. I was even told at one point that I could not get ANY signal>>..

Anyway, if anyone else has thoughts, PLEASE leave them. I am open for any suggestions...

Thanks

[tpayne105]

The mounting foot on a 5lnb dish is 6" x 9", but it is advisable to use additional braces (monopoles) to help stabilize it. The MPEG4 signals are very narrow bands and the dish needs to aimed very accurately and stay put.

Please ignore my ignorance, but what is the mounting foot referring to? What part of the dish is that? Is that where the screws are screwed into a pole/wood?

Thanks

[davring]

It is the actuall base that would be used if the dish were to be mounted on a flat surface as you mentioned a piece of wood. The "foot" has a shaped 2" pipe attached to it which the dish would mount to. If you were to "bucket" mount it the post usually is cemented in the concrete.

[tpayne105]

Ok I am starting to "get it" now. I just measured the mounting foot I have now for the 3LNB and it is 6 1/2' in Length and 5' wide. I am guessing the 5LNB is 6" long and 9" wide (or is it the other way around)?

Just to clarify I do have the current dish attached to a piece of wood and the wood in cemented into the concrete.

Keep em coming..I really do appreciate it!!

[davring]

9" long x 6" wide. Looks just like what you now have, just bigger. Your bracket will not, double check me, accept a two inch mounting pipe for the Slimline dish.

[tpayne105]

9" long x 6" wide. Looks just like what you now have, just bigger. Your bracket will not, double check me, accept a two inch mounting pipe for the Slimline dish.

Will the installer have a correct bracket or should I try to get it somewhere? Does it come with the new dish?

Help!!

Thanks

[davring]

It is included with the dish install.

[tpayne105]

It is included with the dish install.

In that case, I MIGHT be ok???? I guess time will tell....

Thank you greatly for your help!!!