On Fri, 24 Aug 2012 06:53:38 +0000 (UTC), "J.G."
wrote:
I picked up a Rocketdish RocketM2 radio for WiFi reception and tried to
mount it on an old Dish-TV antenna arm.
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/...mg/9047632.jpg
The problem is it's about six inches too short (see picture above).
Some ideas:
1. Muffler shop as others have suggested. You will need to paint it
properly if you expect the pipe to last.
2. Remove the bent pipe and drill holes in the short end to match the
pivot and locking bolts.
3. Purchase a proper "eave mount" satellite dish mounting kit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882250051
https://www.google.com/search?q=satellite+dish+eave+mount&tbm=isch
4. Consider an "under eave mount" kit which is less likely to break.
http://www.eavemounts.com
http://www.asia.ru/en/ProductInfo/1134891.html
http://www.summitsource.com/images/products/MTPEV2.jpg
5. Non-penetrating roof mount if you want to move the dish around for
optimum positioning:
https://www.google.com/search?q=satellite+dish+non+penetrating+mount&tbm= isch
6. Consider another location or mounting method:
http://rapidmount.com/roofmounts.html
I had planned on bolting this to the wood boards framing the edge of a
tile roof (without going on the roof itself).
The eaves are usually rather thin but will work if you don't have a
rain gutter and add some reinforcing behind the eave. Another board
will work, but I prefer painted Unistrut.
a) Would you just extend the mast with a pipe?
You could if you have another piece of similar diameter pipe and a
welder. I've done this for one weird installation by taking two DBS
dish mounts and butt welding the ends together. Welding was easy.
Painting was not.
Someone suggested using PVC pipe. That will work for wi-fi because
antenna aiming is far less critical than Ku band. Pound or glue a
piece of schedule 40 pipe into the end of the existing mount. You may
need to build up the PVC to the same diameter as the steel pipe or
antenna aiming might be a bit clumsy.
b) Would you buy a new mast (from where)?
Not just a new mast, but also a new mount. I'm partial to the "under
eave mount" method.
c) Is there another trick I can't think of?
I'm hoping a clever idea will pop out of this.
Clever tricks have a habit of backfiring. Search Google Images for
photos of "tile roof antenna mount" or "eave antenna mount" and look
for something similar to your situation.
Otherwise, I'll just buy a new antenna arm and make sure it's longer
somehow!
--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060
http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558