dish network tripod system
Is it possible to set up a dish on a tripod that could be pointed to either the western or eastern arc?
Forum Discussion
I'll try to get some more photos for you, but in the meantime, in the first pic, the right-angle bracket and hinge are standard Home Depot parts. The All-thread and faucet knob are, also.
For the elevation adjustment, observe a small diameter all-thread on the lower right going through existing holes (nowhere did I drill holes in the existing dish). There is a small block which was a junk item in my garage which was a steel block with one simple hole non-threaded and it fits over the small all-thread. Then it also had a threaded hole at right angles to the smooth hole. I used regular stock fasteners, including some nylon locknuts.
Now in the second photo (azimuth adjustment) I have some PVC pipe the same inside diameter of the tripod mast and in the middle is a PVC straight coupler. Some sheet metal brackets hold two more of the same hinges to the upper and lower PVC with the coupler between. You can see a chunk of straight metal cut down so the two hinges then line up. The lowest PVC is held with a screw in the tripod base so it doesn't move. There is grease between all the moving parts and the all-threads.
Notice at the bottom that I did cut the mast so there was a short piece at the bottom. Yes, it is a little bit wobbly but once aimed, no problems. Also I hung a hook where I might have to hang a weight if there is wind.
My main purpose was to eliminate the muscling around usually required to get the antenna aimed. I use an app to get the azimuth and elevation numbers for wherever we are and then use a compass. From there its only a matter of using the signal meter and the two knobs to tune for max signal.
For the elevation adjustment, observe a small diameter all-thread on the lower right going through existing holes (nowhere did I drill holes in the existing dish). There is a small block which was a junk item in my garage which was a steel block with one simple hole non-threaded and it fits over the small all-thread. Then it also had a threaded hole at right angles to the smooth hole. I used regular stock fasteners, including some nylon locknuts.
Now in the second photo (azimuth adjustment) I have some PVC pipe the same inside diameter of the tripod mast and in the middle is a PVC straight coupler. Some sheet metal brackets hold two more of the same hinges to the upper and lower PVC with the coupler between. You can see a chunk of straight metal cut down so the two hinges then line up. The lowest PVC is held with a screw in the tripod base so it doesn't move. There is grease between all the moving parts and the all-threads.
Notice at the bottom that I did cut the mast so there was a short piece at the bottom. Yes, it is a little bit wobbly but once aimed, no problems. Also I hung a hook where I might have to hang a weight if there is wind.
My main purpose was to eliminate the muscling around usually required to get the antenna aimed. I use an app to get the azimuth and elevation numbers for wherever we are and then use a compass. From there its only a matter of using the signal meter and the two knobs to tune for max signal.
