Question about 5LNB antenna

3307 Views 24 Replies 10 Participants Last post by veryoldschool, Jan 1, 2007

geekmom

Discussion Starter · Dec 31, 2006

We have been with DirecTV for six years, we started with Ultimate TV box and then got the Tivo box, then the HR10-250 and now we have the HR20. We are having some bugs that we hope are fixed in some of the next software releases but we are very happy with the UTV features, like instant record, so we're very happy with the HR20.

We wanted the 5LNB antenna. We do have OTA HD local channels but wanted to be ready once they start broadcasting the local HD channels.

We built our house two years ago and one of our priorities was to wire it for satellite and place that wiring so it would be easily accessible for antenna placement on the eave of the back of the house--great sat visibility there. So, the installer comes and says that he can't place the new 5LNB antenna on the eave (it's too big) but further says he can't even place it on the roof just above because we have a metal roof (there are LOTS of metal roofs in our part of the country

So, he wants to plant a pole on the side of the house, poke a hole in the wall, rerun cable..............things that make us quite unhappy.

So, my basic question is exactly how HUGE is this 5LNB antenna compared to the 3LNB antenna and, as a side issue, does anyone know anything about installing on a metal roof. Our roof structure itself is identical to an ordinary shingle or tile roof, it's just that the shingles are metal. If there were signal scatter problems then we would have already seen them on the eave installation. I'm just frustrated with this installation option, it just seems very messy.

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Spanky_Partain

· #2 · Dec 31, 2006

I would expect that it would be able to mount to the roof. However, the installer may not want to take on the liability of damaging your roof.

Hence, the work around of putting it on a pole.

veryoldschool

· #3 · Jan 1, 2007

The 5LNB dish weighs 37 lbs & maybe 50% bigger [only a guess]. Your metal roof may be a "falling off" issue for the installer. The installers are "warned" to mount the new dish on strong [sturdy] place. Eaves may not be strong enough. You might "think" about a long pole that would be next to the current spot.

geekmom

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 1, 2007

Spanky_Partain said:
I would expect that it would be able to mount to the roof. However, the installer may not want to take on the liability of damaging your roof.

Hence, the work around of putting it on a pole.

I imagine you have hit the nail on the head and I wouldn't want the roof damaged. Having said that, I find it unprofessional that the installers don't have the skills to assess the risk and define it to me. I probably starting turning off when he stated that we really should be using an indoor antenna for the OTA channels :nono2:

geekmom

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 1, 2007

veryoldschool said:
The 5LNB dish weighs 37 lbs & maybe 50% bigger [only a guess]. Your metal roof may be a "falling off" issue for the installer. The installers are "warned" to mount the new dish on strong [sturdy] place. Eaves may not be strong enough. You might "think" about a long pole that would be next to the current spot.

37 lbs doesn't sound very bad, I suppose the physical size of the dish and effect of the wind on the sail of the dish is also an important component of it's true weight. I wouldn't object to the pole in the current spot, I'll talk to them about that

Tom Robertson

· #6 · Jan 1, 2007

While the installation videos very clearly state that the 5lnb dishes can be mounted in every orientation the older dishes could be, for a time after their release some installers refused to install anywhere other than a pole. (Note, I do not mean every location, these do need to tie into a major stud or truss, but that is normally just a few inches away from any location.)

You should be able to find a solution without going the long pipe route. Maybe long pipe is the best for your house, I can't say, but I haven't heard anything that indicates it is your only acceptable option.

Good luck and have a very Happy New Year,
Tom

Tom Robertson

· #7 · Jan 1, 2007

geekmom said:
37 lbs doesn't sound very bad, I suppose the physical size of the dish and effect of the wind on the sail of the dish is also an important component of it's true weight. I wouldn't object to the pole in the current spot, I'll talk to them about that

Yup, the wind sail effect is a big issue coupled with the fact the tolerance on dish pointing to get the new KA frequencies is very, very tight. The dish can't move at all or rainfade will be a major problem.

Cheers,
Tom

geekmom

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 1, 2007

tibber said:
Yup, the wind sail effect is a big issue coupled with the fact the tolerance on dish pointing to get the new KA frequencies is very, very tight. The dish can't move at all or rainfade will be a major problem.

Cheers,
Tom

Thanks Tom for both comments. I'll call DirecTV and see if I can't get them to let me talk to an installation expert. It would be more stable to anchor to the roof than to put it on a pole so I still want someone to convince me with some facts that my preferred installation can't be done. Happy New Year to you also

Larry H

· #9 · Jan 1, 2007

Here's my two cents. The new slimline 5 lnb dish weights 41 lbs. and requires the use of two support arms to stabilize it. However, I have mounted them on a vent rigid vent pipes on the roof and not had any problem. Metal shingles do get bent or crushed when walked on and that could void any warranty. You may also want to inquire about an under eve mount, this maybe a good possibility for you. Hope this reaches you in time. Larry

DishDog

· #10 · Jan 1, 2007

If you have a chimney you can mount the AT9 dish using masonry anchors and 4 bolts.

You need RJ6 cable for the AT9. Is that what you installed 2 yrs ago?

geekmom

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 1, 2007

Larry H said:
Here's my two cents. The new slimline 5 lnb dish weights 41 lbs. and requires the use of two support arms to stabilize it. However, I have mounted them on a vent rigid vent pipes on the roof and not had any problem. Metal shingles do get bent or crushed when walked on and that could void any warranty. You may also want to inquire about an under eve mount, this maybe a good possibility for you. Hope this reaches you in time. Larry

Hi Larry,

I just ran out in the snow and I did mis-speak earlier, our current 3 LNB is mounted under the eave and I can accept the fact that the larger 5 LNB dish probably wouldn't mount there if its' footprint is any larger. I think that contacting the company that placed the roof to find out how to make an roof installation while keeping the warranty intact would be worth the effort. I'd even pay one of the roof installers to be an observer if necessary to get this antenna mounted where I want it

Thanks for that suggestion.

geekmom

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 1, 2007

DishDog said:
If you have a chimney you can mount the AT9 dish using masonry anchors and 4 bolts.

You need RJ6 cable for the AT9. Is that what you installed 2 yrs ago?

You bet we installed RJ6 cable, we really wanted a solid installation. We don't have a chimney but I've really appreciated the comments and feel newly educated to press the issue further now

Larry H

· #13 · Jan 1, 2007

Sounds like the under eve mount could work for you. The under eve mount have about a 3x5 inch footprint and when it is plumb it is at about a 45 degree angle. The support arms are a must for the KA/KU under eve mount and are attached to the fascia-board. Good luck.

Tom Robertson

· #14 · Jan 1, 2007

Here is another mount to think of: soffit mount. The manufacturer has a picture of the Directv 5lnb using this mount: Dishmount SM100

Happy New Year,
Tom

mazter

· #15 · Jan 1, 2007

Ahh that's not a 5lnb dish it is an older Para Todos dish.:sure:

Tom Robertson

· #16 · Jan 1, 2007

mazter said:
Ahh that's not a 5lnb dish it is an older Para Todos dish.:sure:

I stand corrected. I glanced, saw D*, wide dish, and two LNB arms. My bad.

Thanks for being gentle and polite.

Happy New Year,
Tom

mazter

· #17 · Jan 1, 2007

Happy New Year To you and all on DBStalk!!!

geekmom

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 1, 2007

OK, I know that I should be concentrating on the bottle of champagne but I'm really on a mission here. I see there is a slimline 5 LNB antenna which weighs 10 lbs? If that is true then it would definitely work for our current installation spot. Can anyone confirm this?

marksman

· #19 · Jan 1, 2007

DishDog said:
If you have a chimney you can mount the AT9 dish using masonry anchors and 4 bolts.

You need RJ6 cable for the AT9. Is that what you installed 2 yrs ago?

That is good to hear. I am still waiting for my install on my dish, and right now my current dish is chimney mounted, so I assume that they will be able to put the 5lnb there?

I don't really cotton to the idea of a pole mounted dish myself, unless it is a stripper pole.

whsbuss

· #20 · Jan 1, 2007

I have a question about the new slimline dish mount. How much bigger is the foot mount that screws into the eave? Is it oversized compared to the 3lnb mount?

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