1.2m Echostar Fibreglass dish

ekko star said:
Actually this look far better.

I found some pics below on the net that sort of looks more like what I had in mind. It should be easy enough to fabricate a support on the rear of the dish based on this

The supporting bars across the back of my dish would naturally be wider but all else the same

The offset and declination adjustment is a great design. Keep it nice and simple.

I'm pretty sure the metal gear motor would handle this dish. Not sure of the weight at the moment but I will weigh it at some point.

It defo feels a lot lighter and manageable than a 1.2 CM. It doesn't have all the additional moulding the CN has due to the narrower central polar mount.

The wider holes placing on the Prodelin across the width means even though a lighter dish it should stand up to lateral wind forces better a CM.

Well, that's the theory !

View attachment 161579

View attachment 161580
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On these pictures you see the dish attachment of the Echostar 1.2 dishes that I mentioned
 
Trust said:
On these pictures you see the dish attachment of the Echostar 1.2 dishes that I mentioned
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That's not my dish.

Those pictures are of the AZ/EL dish mould with 4 bolts. That person fabricated a great retro diseqc motor fitting.

Mine is clearly the original polar mount mould with 8 bolts and the polar mount is original as well.

The 4 bolt version can be adapted as in the pics but I think mine if adapted will stand up to lateral wind forces and warpage better because the braces would go across more of the diameter of the dish.

I cannot make out the mould number on mine but as Channel Hopper says, I believe it's a very rare one.

At the end of the day it's just a dish, but it is a Prodelin and weight wise I think the diseqc metal gear should be very compatible and can handle it far better than the weight of a CM.

If I can get this onto a diseqc mount, then happy days. I can get the full 70W - 70.5E arc where I am and on this dish and with a bit of luck I am expecting loud and clear signals !
 
I don't think there is a motor in the original that could rotate this 120 antenna without problems. The antenna is too heavy for such a motor. I recommend that you extend the arm of the motor and balance the antenna on the extended arm. Then it will rotate without problems and the motor will not be loaded.
 
ekko star said:
can handle it far better than the weight of a CM.
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I doubt that! :) I had 1.2m Prodelin (same as the one you showed pictures as an example) and it's weight was ~ 11kg. At the same time, the weight of 1.2m CM is less than 10kg. So, I doubt the antenna you have is lighter than 10 kg. But, in fact, weight is not the main issue here... the biggest problem, usually, is the wind load of 1.2m antenna surface. You can try to hang your 1.2m Prodelin on DiseqC motor, but the better option, IMHO, would be to use the polar-mount and actuator.
 
RimaNTSS said:
I doubt that! :) I had 1.2m Prodelin (same as the one you showed pictures as an example) and it's weight was ~ 11kg. At the same time, the weight of 1.2m CM is less than 10kg. So, I doubt the antenna you have is lighter than 10 kg. But, in fact, weight is not the main issue here... the biggest problem, usually, is the wind load of 1.2m antenna surface. You can try to hang your 1.2m Prodelin on DiseqC motor, but the better option, IMHO, would be to use the polar-mount and actuator.
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The 90cm/1m polarmount antennas badged as Echostar had nylon bushes in the design and this one looks no different.

After 20+ years in the sun and frost I would suggest going for the DiSEqC option if the antenna is in a sheltered position.

Take some better images of the logo and somebody will be able to work out what is embossed on the dish base behind.
 
RimaNTSS said:
I doubt that! :) I had 1.2m Prodelin (same as the one you showed pictures as an example) and it's weight was ~ 11kg. At the same time, the weight of 1.2m CM is less than 10kg. So, I doubt the antenna you have is lighter than 10 kg. But, in fact, weight is not the main issue here... the biggest problem, usually, is the wind load of 1.2m antenna surface. You can try to hang your 1.2m Prodelin on DiseqC motor, but the better option, IMHO, would be to use the polar-mount and actuator.
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I think it can certainly handle it with the correct adaption. Those example pics that chap said he had his working fine on the mount he made.

Obviously polar mount is the natural option but you lose Diseqc functionality and that defeats the purpose. I can get the full arc and that is my aim.

I noticed you adapted your CM for diseqc. I cannot believe yours handles wind load that well and it must really struggle from pulling from the dish from inclined orbits.

I will weigh the dish face. It doesn't feel 11kg but felt much more under 10kg. Anecdotally I would say around 8kg in hand.

Up on my wall at 1st floor level I have a steel 1m dish which I am sure was around the same weight. That has been up there over a decade, full wind facing on a metal gear Dark Supreme Motor. It has never moved 1mm and it hits all the birds in the arc bang onto this day !

The guys that installed that were top, top Pro's that installed dishes for the likes of Global Invacom and AirBus. Luckily they were local and they were kind enough to do me favour !

My proposed location for this Prodelin is more sheltered and I think this dish with the correct diseqc adaptation would work very well. I have a professional fabrication firm close by and I showed him the pictures and he said he would also think of a suitable design for the polar mount.

I honestly wouldn't even bother with a CM disecq mod. I tried it once with a Gilbertini 1.25m and that struggled big time on the inclined orbits.
 
Properly adapted ... operating as smooth as it can.
CM 120cm
 
Both videos are from the same hairdresser. What about the processing. of the motor, it is only necessary to make an extended arm as you have already written. If you tackle this issue, then I recommend that you strengthen the motor construction with an additional mounting plate. Otherwise, forget that the motor will return from the end positions without your help to start rotation.
 
Beli1910 said:
Both videos are from the same hairdresser. What about the processing. of the motor, it is only necessary to make an extended arm as you have already written. If you tackle this issue, then I recommend that you strengthen the motor construction with an additional mounting plate. Otherwise, forget that the motor will return from the end positions without your help to start rotation.
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Even with extended arm I would expect some problems.

It would need to be metal gear motor at the very least

 
There will be no problems if you balance the antenna on the extended arm. I use a converted prototype to run on a Diqec motor Gibertini 150 and Laminas 1.8m. Look at the links below.
Gibertini 150
Laminas As180
 
Beli1910 said:
There will be no problems if you balance the antenna on the extended arm. I use a converted prototype to run on a Diqec motor Gibertini 150 and Laminas 1.8m. Look at the links below.
Gibertini 150
Laminas As180
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Ok the extension makes sense. If your large dishes can handle the wind load then it should be no problem.

I am looking to keep everything as simple and light as possible.

What do you mean strengthen the motor construction?
 
The rear part of the engine, as it is in this picture.
Screenshot-2025-03-12-22-51-24-595-com-android-chrome.jpg
 
the construction of the diqec motor is too weak for such an antenna and will deform under load. This method has already been tested on a couple of types of antennas of size 120, and it works. It would be better to make the entire construction stronger, but this is not a job for everyone
 
ekko star said:
They look to be identical no?
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Yes, they look more or less same. What is the pipe diameter feedarms made of? Is that M8 thread at the end of the feedarm? And what are the distances from the LNB-holder to the surface of the dish (feedarm length)? 1000064024.webp20250309_143811~2.webp1000064024ab.webp
 
RimaNTSS said:
Yes, they look more or less same. What is the pipe diameter feedarms made of? Is that M8 thread at the end of the feedarm? And what are the distances from the LNB-holder to the surface of the dish (feedarm length)?
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M8 and length of the longest side arms is 93cm each
 
RimaNTSS said:
And what is the diameter of tubes? What is the length of the bottom feedarm?
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Cannot measure the diameter as I cannot take them off. The bolts have welded with the aluminium over the years.

The tubes look between 10-12mm from sight.

I will measure the bottom feed arm tomorrow.
 
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