[Chris Blount]

I've seen threads with pictures of how people install their systems. Well how about the ones that don't go so well. Do you have a rushed job that you would like to show? Here is the place to do it.

First, my down and dirty installation of a recently acquired SW64. I have 4 receivers with 2 Dish's. I also needed to install a Diplexor to my Dish 6000 receiver to receive OTA HDTV broadcast.

Here is the overall system. You see the 2 Dishes (one Dish 500 and another pointed at 61.5 for HDTV) with the wires running to the house and under the eve. Check out the bricks on each foot of the tripod to keep one of the dishes from blowing away:

http://www.dbstalk.com/images/chrisinstall/install3.JPG

Look at this nicely coiled batch of wires. Doesn't it look great? Hey, what do you do when you have extra cable and don't feel like cutting them and attaching new connectors? You loop them and tie wrap them to the burglar bars!

http://www.dbstalk.com/images/chrisinstall/install2.JPG

..and how about this. The SW64 and the diplexor neatly attached under the eve but of course I didn't want to make it look TOO good so I had to do some sort of cable coiling.

http://www.dbstalk.com/images/chrisinstall/install1.JPG

Obviously this is a temporary installation but it's fun just to "show it off" about how NOT to install a system. The amazing thing is that it all works!

Can anyone top this?

 

[Richard King]

http://www.pbase.com/image/470194
Two Starband/Dish dishes to experiment with Starband on both of their satellites. Note that one is on a legit non-pen roof mount, while the other is the standard Starband mount on a custom base that I fabricated out of cinder blocks and perferated angle iron. It actually works quite well. I ended up keeping the real non-pen mount (swaped dishes) and I use the other custom mount when I infrequently talk to groups about satellite (DBS or internet). The custom mount is nice in that I can now pack up my complete Starband system, including the mount in the back of my Hyndai Santa Fe.

 

[James_F]

Chris, how much cable did you use on that install? I've never seen that much in one place except for Fry's Electronics....

 

[Chris Blount]

RKing401,

Not bad! I think you are close to taking the cake on that one.

James,

Radio Shack only sells RG-6 in 25, 50 and 100 foot lengths. To get the cable from the Dishes to the switch, I had to use the 25 foot denomination. Needless to say, there was plenty left over since there had to be 6 runs to the switch.

We should have a contest or something on who has the worst installation. Any suggestions for a prize?

 

[James_F]

Originally posted by Chris Blount
We should have a contest or something on who has the worst installation. Any suggestions for a prize?

How about a User Title that crownw them as the worst installation? Won't be me since I'm to anal. I had to paint and hide all my cable....

 

[Richard King]

Not bad! I think you are close to taking the cake on that one.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I reserve that kind of installation only for my own house, on a system I am always playing with (sometimes).

 

[Nick]

This thread could be called "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". I am not
generally anal-retentive (other than conditions attributable to age) but I
do believe neatness counts.

That has got to be the ugliest mess of wires I've ever seen. One word for
you, Chris: cut-to-length! Ok, it's not exactly one word but you get the idea.

Richard, In this close-up pic it looks that Gecko could use
a little more health insurance, especially for his toasty gonads. :lol: :

Nick :smoking:

 

[Richard King]

I thought you might enjoy that one Nick. My customer had a severe case of Gecko fade that day until I was called in to clear it up. Ah, the sacrifices one has to make for customer service. I suspect we may have been witness to the end of his family tree. :lol:

 

[Jacob S]

I would think that something like that would be ok if it was used for travelling but not for someting permanent.

Can you take a Starband or Direcetway system travelling somewhere or will they only let it be turned on in a certain area?

Can they spotbeam with Starband or Directway?

 

[John Corn]

Shoot, I just went out and bought 500 ft roll of RG6 and redone mine......I could have been in the hunt.
If I get a chance maybe I can get a picture of the cable and satellite wires where they all come in my basement, now thats a nightmare.

 

[lee635]

My gosh Chris. Are you safe??????

Those burglar bars look serious. Do you have pictures of your pit bulls to round out the image in my head????

 

[DarrellP]

For a prize, how about we chip in $1 each and give the winner a real, "professional" intallation job?

 

[Nick]

Those burglar bars look serious...

Those bars covering that high, difficult-to-reach window are just for show.

The real danger to would-be burglars is the massive amount of rats-nest wiring,
cleverly designed to entrap and electrocute any fool attempting entry to Chris's castle.

Also, did you notice the extra-wide, ground-level patio door with no bars? Hmmmm?
Is that a welcome sign I see???

:lol:

The Nickster :smoking:

 

[James_F]

Good point Nick, think of the lawsuit when the burglar hangs himself on Chris' wiring.... :rolling:

 

[Dave Johnson]

Chris I`ve been playing with a 100cm dish in the yard trying to improve my signal for 119. The mount is just temporary until I cement a new post in.

 

[Chris Blount]

Originally posted by Nick
Also, did you notice the extra-wide, ground-level patio door with no bars? Hmmmm?
Is that a welcome sign I see???

Actually there are bars on that door. I have them pulled back so I can get in and out.

Originally posted by Dave Johnson
Chris I`ve been playing with a 100cm dish in the yard trying to improve my signal for 119. The mount is just temporary until I cement a new post in.

Good one Dave. I almost considered doing that when I installed a 10' C-Band dish but decided against it because it was too big and heavy. Has your signal strength improved any?

 

[jrjcd]

i am thinking of making a calander of really bad install pics to sell to retailers-would anyone have any problem with me using any of the pics here???

 

[Nick]

Good idea, jr. Dealers could proudly hang them in their showrooms for customers to see. BTW, what year do you plan to use?

 

[Dave Johnson]

Chris I got the post cemented in last night and I finished the install this morning. The signal has improved about 15-20 signal points on each transponder.

The signal is still hard to get here in Canada since E-7 came online.

Here are a couple more pics of the finished installation if anyone is interested. I used conduit along side the post to hide the cables.

 

[Dave Johnson]

Another picture. Couldn`t see how to add more than 1 per post.