I've got an install setup Saturday morning and I know that I'm going to need a non-penetrating roof mount. I have read the horror stories on here about installers having to reschedule 2 or 3 times because of different things. Is there anyway to make sure that the installer is going to have a non-penetrating mount in his van and help reduce the chances that I will have to reschedule due to that? Thanks.
Make certain everything is brought with installer
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It'll be an HSP. I currently rent the house I'm living in and have to have something that is non-intrustive and not permanent. I actually did a quick signal test and can get the 101 satellite over my roof from my back deck and the east/west to get the others is clear. I could do a pole mount on the wood railing but with the condition it is currently in I wouldn't trust that kind of weight on it.
I've seen other people here who appear to have balcony installs that have used them and I assumed that they were done by D* installers.
I've seen other people here who appear to have balcony installs that have used them and I assumed that they were done by D* installers.
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1,340 Posts
We do a lot of apartment and deck installs. Because of strength of the railing and liability issues, we avoid clamping to railings and use a tripod.
The available tripods for a two inch actual pole are specialty items and sell for expensive prices. They are usually not carried locally by suppliers due to costs.
A subcontractor colleague of mine has solved the problem. Radio Shack stocks a heavy duty 3 foot Rohn Made in USA heavy duty tripod for $35.
A section of 2 inch actual pole is also hard to find and will not fit inside the Radioshack tripod.
A standard 1-5/8" actual galvanized chain link fence line post will fit perfectly.
My colleague developed and manufactures an adapter to bring the 1-5/8" pole to exactly two inches. The mount for the slimline fits perfectly. The clamping force of the socket's bolts transfers to the 1-5/8 pole and no additional fasteners are required.
Unlike the bucket, the tripod has a wide base and the bolts allow perfectly plumbing the pole. A few paint or Sharpie marks on the dech would allow perfect realignment; should the tripod be moved by accident.
We have done over 150 apartment installs this way. We have had no dissatisfied customers.
Anyone can buy this adapter on eBay;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150279785335&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=005
The available tripods for a two inch actual pole are specialty items and sell for expensive prices. They are usually not carried locally by suppliers due to costs.
A subcontractor colleague of mine has solved the problem. Radio Shack stocks a heavy duty 3 foot Rohn Made in USA heavy duty tripod for $35.
A section of 2 inch actual pole is also hard to find and will not fit inside the Radioshack tripod.
A standard 1-5/8" actual galvanized chain link fence line post will fit perfectly.
My colleague developed and manufactures an adapter to bring the 1-5/8" pole to exactly two inches. The mount for the slimline fits perfectly. The clamping force of the socket's bolts transfers to the 1-5/8 pole and no additional fasteners are required.
Unlike the bucket, the tripod has a wide base and the bolts allow perfectly plumbing the pole. A few paint or Sharpie marks on the dech would allow perfect realignment; should the tripod be moved by accident.
We have done over 150 apartment installs this way. We have had no dissatisfied customers.
Anyone can buy this adapter on eBay;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150279785335&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=005
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1,546 Posts
The only real way to make sure you get it is to buy the mount ahead of time and have it ready when the installer gets there.
The installer just actually called me wanting to know if I was available now...Never thought I would hear that but he said he was reviewing my account and realized that he would need either a tri-pod or non-penetrating. He said they could do the non-penetrating on the deck without a problem but it would cost me $100 since it would be a non-standard install.
I'm fine with that. I expected to have to pay something since they couldn't do a permenent install.
One simple question though, what is the actual size of the base on those mounts? Is it 3' X 3'? Thanks.
-Lanthom
I'm fine with that. I expected to have to pay something since they couldn't do a permenent install.
One simple question though, what is the actual size of the base on those mounts? Is it 3' X 3'? Thanks.
-Lanthom
Just looked up the phone # from where they called from. Looks like a company called Ron TV Satellite Services of Kingsport will be doing my install. Sounds like it may be a smaller dealer. Hopefully will work out 
Thanks everyone for your help and I'll try to keep everyone updated.
-Lanthom
Thanks everyone for your help and I'll try to keep everyone updated.-Lanthom
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452 Posts
Close, seems more like 4'x2'. Probably way off on that. If you're in Johnson City, you're in a DirecTV Home Services area (knoxville office). Their non-pen. mounts usually cost $35. It's just a metal sled and 4-6 cinder blocks after all.Lanthom said:
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8,968 Posts
The bare mount costs that, then the tech has to go buy blocks, then haul the blocks up a ladder, etc. The $100 cost included all the extra time, labor, and expense for the custom work. Of course, if you, as the customer, want to order the mount, haul it up the ladder, drive to Home Depot, get blocks, bring them home, and haul all of the blocks up to the roof, I'm sure the installer will have no problem doing the rest of the job at no charge.Johnnie5000 said:
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