DIY LNB Holder

maxboysdad · 2019-11-01T17:21:05.336Z

One benefit of the conduit hanger is that it makes attaching a cone easy, using tabs pushed through the gap between the LNB and the screws…

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wsombeck · 2019-11-01T18:20:44.531Z

I am using a clamp like this:

inner diameter is 40mm. They come with a 8mm thread like on the picture or with an attached bolt to fix it into wood or a dowel. Price is below 1€.
Wolfgang

ac8dg · 2019-11-01T20:05:17.070Z

all look great, now just need either sand bags or screw holes to hold them in place .

maxboysdad · 2019-11-03T04:50:30.802Z

@Syed
Check out this box. Nice for under $10.00

https://www.newark.com/duratool/22-24140/weatherproof-case-polymer-yellow/dp/83X6732?MER=bn_para_1TP_LastViewed_3

maxboysdad · 2019-11-05T00:02:01.191Z

I like that clamp, Wolfgang. Wish it was available here. Jerry

Tysonpower · 2019-11-05T06:29:40.949Z

Well, for all people with a 3D printer: 3D printable LNB Holder / Mount

wsombeck · 2019-11-05T08:00:15.746Z

Jerry, they should be available in US. If you search for “40 mm pipe clamp M8” , the make is “WYKA”. To attach it into wood, etc. you should add a “M8 Double End Threaded Self Tapping Screw Bolt Stud (M8x80mm”. Saw both at A****zon.
Hope that helps,
Wolfgang

maxboysdad · 2019-11-05T14:49:56.811Z

Thanks, Wolfgang. If the A**** has it, I can get it. I don’t have an immediate need, but can forsee great things with this clamp! Jerry

maxboysdad · 2019-11-06T00:50:18.393Z

@Syed
@kenbarbi
@wsombeck
@ac8dg
I found that these can still be had, and believe me, they hold the LNB firmly. Made of strong plastic. A bit pricy, and you can get them for around $5 or $6 (US) a pair at True Value or online. Be sure if you get these that you are buying the one made for the “D” cell flashlight, the part number contains D026.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=maglite+d+cell+mounting+brackets&crid=2TVJQFXEFZHUH&sprefix=MagLite+D+cell+%2Caps%2C323&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_15

You have to drill through the base to get a centered hole, and saw off the top of the little “T” shape to make room for your nylon screw, but they work as nicely as a conduit clamp, are lighter in weight.

maxboysdad · 2019-11-06T16:46:25.043Z

"5d

all look great, now just need either sand bags or screw holes to hold them in place ."

Jim, I understand the objection to having to use sandbags, however, do you have a proposal that can eliminate using screws and screw holes that will provide a stable mounting at or on the enclosure?

EmCommSat · 2019-11-12T18:14:47.292Z

@Syed I had purchased the tripod and conduit hanger from your first example for my portable kit, but I will be using this universal LNB holder instead of the hanger. They are relatively inexpensive and works for either 30 or 40mm LNBF and can easily be attached to the tripod in your first example. I just picked up a 10-pack for $20/shipped from the same vendor. I am sure if you wanted a larger quantity, you could even get a better per-unit price.

// 2-Pack w/ free shipping
https://www.ebay.com/itm/360226448454

// 10-Pack w/ free shipping
https://www.ebay.com/itm/352342910069

biketool · 2019-11-13T07:58:23.836Z

You can search LNB on https://thingiverse.com not terribly satisfying results beyond what you cna buy in a shop though IMHO.
If anyone needs something specific I can write up something with good remarks and variables for height etc open source in openscad so it is easily hackable by the end user using free-libre tools before sending out to print or making at home/hackerspace.
FDM is not as strong as injection molding but if there was an order the .stl model can be used by an injection mold place to $$make$$ or you do a negative mold and know of someone with a injection molding setup…

maxboysdad · 2019-11-19T00:22:35.759Z

Here is another option made from the clamps in my picture above, I built the small inclinometer from a tiny bullseye level and epoxied it to the edge of the clamp.

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Mark_Phillips · 2019-11-30T23:29:59.635Z

OK, how about this? I used Unistrut clamps to grab onto the vertical I-beam that holds up the back wall of my apartment between the garages. By total dumb luck the SES satellite is exactly pointing at the back of my apartment. I can bring the coax in through a disused tumble dryer flap.

The other antenna is the GPS antenna for my NTP server.

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jcrtp · 2019-12-05T02:40:09.252Z

Been meaning to post a picture of my setup, I just picked up a new tripod this week to put the LNB on. I’m using the metal bracket listed above with a small tripod I got from Amazon, secured with a 1/4"-20 nut. I lost the battle with leaving the LNB outside so had to put it on a table in the attic, which means I need to get signal through the wall. I find that moving 1-2 inches in any direction can make a HUGE difference in signal reception so keep that in mind if trying indoors.

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I still am using the Wifi interface and has been up for ~10 days with no issues other than me messing it up by moving it on the table and not getting reception for a while.

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Syed · 2019-12-05T02:52:18.348Z

Where are you that allows a bare LNB to receive indoors?

jcrtp · 2019-12-05T03:32:29.666Z

I’m in Apex, North Carolina. I’m not seeing that great of a signal, usually -11 or so, but it works and I can get the full 20kbps.

Syed · 2019-12-05T15:16:51.214Z

-11 is great. After a certain point, the packet error rate will not decrease any further. What was the SNR when you had the LNB outside? Is this only one wall that signal is going through before it hits the LNB? Could you share the composition of that wall?

jcrtp · 2019-12-05T18:12:54.026Z

When it was outside, I was getting -10 or so, but I’m not sure if I was pointed directly at the satellite. I’m pointed a few degrees east of where I was when I had it outside, but outside it also went through about 75 feet of RG6 before it got to the wiring closet. The wall it’s pointed at now is an exterior wall, which has hardiplank siding, water barrier, sheathing, insulation, and drywall. The electrical does run up through the wall where the LNB is pointing as well, which may explain the sensitivity to positioning. I do have a picture of the wall, but can’t tell if it’s 4" or 6" thick. The LNB faces the wall to the left side of the window.

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Mark_Phillips · 2019-12-08T21:50:26.415Z

Been playing with feed horns today. The best I’ve come up with so far is a 12oz Mandarin Orange can. I normally (without a feed horn) get an average of -12db S:N but with this can Scotch taped to the LNB I’m getting an average of 8.5db S:N. I’ve gained 3db which if I understand my logarithmic tables correctly is a signal gain of roughly 2x what I had before. Wow!! Obviously I need to come up with a better mounting solution but what this experiment has shown me is that I can McGyver something and improve the signal.

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