Any ideas for a Dish leveling plate?

[PRkid]

Hi! I am hoping I can get some ideas on where to get (if not, I will try to make) a dish leveling plate. I live in a condo and I do not have a location to attach the Dish 1000.2 that I have, thus, I have it (with some weights) on the floor of the balcony. I am getting pretty good signal for 110 & 119 (95/95%), and a 50/50% for 129. I know that the floor of the balcony is somewhat slanted and the mast is not level. I'd like to attach the dish to a plate (let's say about 8x8") with small leveling legs (similar to refrigerator and other appliances). Any ideas? Is there something already in the marketplace? This could be a portable stand that many could use! Thanks!

[hoppy]

You can take a piece of Plywood,Preferably thick.Go to the Hardware Store and get you some bolts with flat washers (2 Per Bolt) and NUTS (TWO per bolt) Drill holes in the corners and in between the corners also.Put a flat washer on top and bottom of each hole then put one nut on each bolt running it all the way up the bolts. Then Put bolts into the holes one washer on top one on bottom,Each bolt has a nut on the bottom (Next to the head of the bolt) Then stick bolt through holes and put washer on top side of board and bolt then the nuts on the top of the washers and board. NOW You have a adjustable bottom! You can put some rubber sleeves on the heads of the bolts also it you want to.

[PRkid]

You can take a piece of Plywood,Preferably thick.Go to the Hardware Store and get you some bolts with flat washers (2 Per Bolt) and NUTS (TWO per bolt) Drill holes in the corners and in between the corners also.Put a flat washer on top and bottom of each hole then put one nut on each bolt running it all the way up the bolts. Then Put bolts into the holes one washer on top one on bottom,Each bolt has a nut on the bottom (Next to the head of the bolt) Then stick bolt through holes and put washer on top side of board and bolt then the nuts on the top of the washers and board. NOW You have a adjustable bottom! You can put some rubber sleeves on the heads of the bolts also it you want to.

Thanks for the idea hoppy! I was thinking of something similar yet with a sheet metal plate -- though it makes it harder, maybe more stable. The thick plywood ideas is much easier to pull together. Again, thanks!

[Terryl]

Or another way is to use the mount that the dish came on, but bolted up from underneath the plywood, using longer bolts then needed, (I would use some stainless steel bolts, nuts and washers) you can add/subtract washers to level it that way.

This keeps the junk from collecting under the plywood, and the plywood from warping over time, be sure to paint the plywood with some good exterior paint (top, bottom and sides)(and some color to match the deck) and use exterior rated ply.

[PRkid]

Thanks Terryl -- another great idea!

[PRkid]

Terryl & hoppy.....just wanted to close the loop with you as far as what I did with my dish leveling/stabilizing. I ended up using an aluminum plate and stainless steel bolts/washers/nuts to provide the leveling per your suggestions. Lately I was getting at the most a Q/S for 119 & 110 of about 92% and for 129 about 40%, thus, for 129 was not getting much if at all. With this new technique I am happy to report that I am now getting about 98% for 119 & 110, and best of all, 68% on 129. This is really good news! Now I can really enjoy my new htpc build (posted in http://www.satfix.net/showthread.php?98301-Inputs-for-the-quot-Rookie-Build-quot ). Here are a couple of pics so you get the idea and hopefully help someone else.

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[Mondoman22]

GEEEEEZE is that thing EarthQuake proof or what!!!!! Freaking 3/8 bolts Holding the
damn thing Down WOW!!! heheh Well one thing is for sure... It ain't going nowhere
unless someone drops a Jdam On it!

Mondo :)

[Terryl]

Hey that looks great, you should make up a few and market them, copy right it first.

[PRkid]

GEEEEEZE is that thing EarthQuake proof or what!!!!! Freaking 3/8 bolts Holding the
damn thing Down WOW!!! heheh Well one thing is for sure... It ain't going nowhere
unless someone drops a Jdam On it!

Mondo :)

Mondo it is not bolted down! The bolts just provide the leveling since the balcony is all offset for water run off. Thus, portable!

[PRkid]

Hey that looks great, you should make up a few and market them, copy right it first.

Thanks Terryl! Maybe I should! I actually made 2 of them (one extra so I can try out another dish and test picking up 91 just the hell of it...though it will go away soon.) Each plate turned out to be ~$25. The aluminum was OK, yet, the damn shop wanted to rip me off with the drilling of 5 holes. Worth it for portability reasons.

[peelman]

I would have used a cinder block myself and spaced with either washers or whatever was needed. Don't have to worry about wind with a cinder block. I actually did that for my son at his condo a few years ago.

[superman99]

jeeez hat peeps do to get their sat runnin lol

goo job guys:)

[PRkid]

I would have used a cinder block myself and spaced with either washers or whatever was needed. Don't have to worry about wind with a cinder block. I actually did that for my son at his condo a few years ago.

Good idea peelman! Do you have any old pics of that setup? Did the leveling turn out good?

[peelman]

No sorry, I don't have pictures. The leveling did turn out fine. The other reason I used a cinder block up on it's end is to help clear the railing. The glass in the railing would interfere with the quality of the signal.