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CRITICAL FACTORS
INSTALLING A DH ANTENNA
1. READ INSTRUCTIONS before disassembling the crate.
2. RIBS: Look for color coded dot on the rib. Dots indicate correct order
to assemble panels. Number is stamped in the lip of the antenna too.
3. PILOT HOLE: Locate pilot hole on the ring and antenna. THIS IS
nd
YOUR STARTING POINT! Pilot hole is located on the 2
block from
the left of the weld on the ring from the back view of the antenna.
MATCH mount pilot hole to panel with pilot hole.
4. FINGER TIGHT: Installing the panels to the ring and installing the
ribs on the panel sections. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
5. TIGHTEN DOWN all ribs to become a solid antenna.
(Once all panels installed)
6. STRING THE ANTENNA. Strings should just touch. Adjust the
braces so front surface is exactly flat.
7. TIGHTEN DOWN ALL BOLTS: Ring to antenna.
8. SET FEEDHORN TO EXACT FOCAL LENGTH & TO EXACT
CENTER OF THE ANTENNA. Use a laser tool or cut a piece of wood
to the focal length of your antenna. Feedhorn must be flat to antenna
surface. Please consider feedhorn manufacturer's recommendation. See
"Preparing the Feed Assembly" in manual.
CALL 1-608-326-8406 WITH QUESTIONS
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Summary of Contents for DH Antenna GIBRALTER GE-MINI
- Page 1 CRITICAL FACTORS INSTALLING A DH ANTENNA 1. READ INSTRUCTIONS before disassembling the crate. 2. RIBS: Look for color coded dot on the rib. Dots indicate correct order to assemble panels. Number is stamped in the lip of the antenna too.
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Page 2: Installation Instructions
4PC Sectional Antenna Gibralter GE-MINI Installation Instructions Congratulations! You have now purchased the finest Dual Powered Azimuth-Elevation Mount available. This unit will not only track the geosynchronous arc, but will work equally well for satellites that are in inclined orbit, or elliptical orbit. Please follow these instructions. You may call us at 608/326-8406 for help, Monday –... - Page 3 Parts List for: The “Dual Powered Ge-mini” C14F Heavy Duty Feed Ku4FL: 3PC Chaparral Struts Add to C14F Feed Assembly C14F or C24 3- Section to 3pc collar 1- Set of 4 Struts 1- Set of 4 Struts 3- 8-32 x 1” Bolts 1- Collar (C, Ku) 1- Collar 8- ¼”...
- Page 4 Gibralter Gemini Fixed 30" 1 7/8" x 30" Tube End Cap Stow Bar 2 1/4" Gemini Base Plate 18" 2" 2" 3" 8 1/2" 1 1/4" Holes 12" 18" 3" 8 1/2" 1/2" 17/32" Hole 1/2" 2" 1" 1/4" 17/32" Hole 1/2"...
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Page 5: Installation Of Base
INSTALLATION OF BASE Look at the drawings below. Figure #1 shows a typical recommended concrete base. This base should be a minimum of 3’0”x3’0”x 3’0” deep for 2.4m antenna. In areas of frost, we recommend that this base go below frost levels. You can (depending on soil type) opt to use ½” rebar to reinforce this structure. - Page 6 Assemble Ring to Base Stand (for the 2.4m & 2.7m) You will have to assemble the 39” ring to the Ge-Mini base. Look at the photo of the mount in Fig. #3, you will notice that the top of the mount has a bracket to attach the elevation arm.
- Page 7 ASSEMBLING THE ANTENNA TO THE RING The mount should be assembled and now it is time to install the antenna. We recommend two methods of lifting the antenna onto the post. SPECIAL NOTE: A 2.4m and 2.7m use a 39” ring and a 3.0m uses a 48” ring. Option: (On Ground: Lifting the Antenna as One Piece) The antenna will come in 4 pieces each having a color coded dot on the rib (see FIG.
- Page 8 Option: Bird Bath Method, installing by sections with BACK BRACES. (Using 2-3 People) *IMPORTANT: If you purchased an antenna without back braces continue to page 8. Assemble mount and put mount in birdbath position (See picture C below). Step 1: Install the brace clips to the back braces before placing on the antenna lip and ring. Have all 4 brace clips installed on the brace before going to the next step.
- Page 9 Bird Bath Method, installing by sections NO BACK BRACES. (Using 2-3 People) Assemble mount and put mount in birdbath position (See picture C below). Step 1: Take the first panel and install the ½” x 3” bolt from the antenna to the mount finger tight (see FIG. #9 for washer and rubber placement).
- Page 10 Installation Photos: Additional Help for Installing by Sections to the Ring Template Rib Alignment Punch Splice Strap Block PAGE 9...
- Page 11 Preparing the Feed Assembly If the feedhorn you have selected has an adjustable scalar ring, move it to the proper wave-guide setting. The 2.4M, 2.7M, and 3M antennas all have the same f/l. The F/D ratio is listed below for each. Be sure to measure from the center of the dish to the throat of the feedhorn when using a Chaparral style feed.
- Page 12 Heavy Duty Feed Strut________________________ Feed Strut Length 2.4m & 2.7m with a 39” mount is 36 5/8” We have developed a new feed strut and collar for the 3.0m with a 48” mount is 41 3/4” heavier 4 Port Seavey feed assembly. This utilizes the rectangular aluminum tube for the feed strut. Figure #12 right shows the sketch of this feed assembly; it is very simple to install. Each strut has 2 ‐ 5/16 x 2 1/4” bolts to attach to the feed collar. Now attach one of Figure #12 the angle brackets (2" x 2") to the antenna with the 1/2" x 3" bolts. Notice that angle bracket has two holes. You will use the bottom hole. The top hole is for an optional Chaparral type feed. Next, attach the base of the strut to the angle brackets with the 5/16 x 1 1/2" bolts supplied. Align the feed to point directly at the center of the antenna. Now measure the focal length to the front of the scalar rings. (Seavey recommends f/l is measured to front of scalar ring.) ½” x 3” Bolts Ku Band Feed Assembly----------------------------- When using the Ku only feeds, you will be using the C14F feed plate and tri‐collar. See Figure #13. First, attach the flat tri‐collar to the feedhorn as follows: attach the first two pieces by using the 8‐32 x 1" screws provided. Now slide the collar onto the feedhorn and add the third piece; tighten evenly. Attach the tri‐collar to the larger horseshoe collar by the 8‐32 x ¾” bolts and nuts; tighten down. You can adjust polarity by loosening these nuts and rotating feed. Finish by assembling the struts to the feed collar as shown in Figure 14. (Fig#14 shows single Ku feed inserted in collar) Figure #13 Figure #14 Fine Tuning the Antenna-------------------------------- After the assembly is complete, we recommend you "string the antenna." Simply run a string from a back brace across the front of the antenna to the brace 180 degrees apart. Now do this with each brace. If the strings all meet in the middle and no pressure is on any of them, the antenna is perfect and no further work needs be done. If one of the strings is not close to the others, then step back and sight across the dish and see where you will have to push with the back braces. Only make small adjustments at a time and remember to start with all braces loose. After you are sure check the antenna surface is flat, you should double check to see that the feedhorn is set at the proper distance, then to see that it is pointed at the center of the antenna. In our years of setting up antennas, these three items ...
- Page 13 Final Inspection of the Antenna After the assembly is complete, we recommend that you visually look at the dish for FOUR things. 1. Make sure that both edges are symmetrical. To accomplish this you should stand approx. 3M(10ft) away from the side of the dish. Eye ball the two edges to confirm that they are even.
- Page 14 MISSING PARTS WARRANTY You have obtained one of the best antennas on the market today! We hope that you will be happy with your new DH Antenna. To better acquaint you with our system, we ask that you read the instruction manual and verify that all of the equipment has been supplied in your shipment.
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