The parabolic page

The latest happenings here at Finca Serina has been the pursuit of watchable television. DirecTv Panama just doesn't cut it for us. So I have been looking for alternatives. In the process, I have discovered Free To Air Satellite TV which has some interesting possibilities. Then there is 4DTV. Now that really looks interesting.

This is my 240 centimeter dish ( slightly less than 8 feet ). It's mounted on a 4 inch solid steel pole which is buried 4 feet into concrete and rocks. We get some pretty strong winds through here, especially in the dry season ( January through May). This dish already took a tumble on July 4th 2006 when the wind whipped up and slammed it upside down while it was still on a ground mount.

This is a side view of the azimuth and elevation mount that was made by a local mechanic with input from yours truly.

This is a rear view of the mount. The dish is locked in position with 4 one inch bolts that are threaded into the collar of the mount.

Here we are with combination c & ku band lnbfs installed and ready to receive signals. The dish is facing roughly to the southwest.

Sombra greats the arrival of the crew that will put up the 22 foot dish.

Luis Enrique Casares, the owner of the company, levels the mount that will ultimately hold the dish.

My friend and neighbor, Nordy from Hollywood Florida who also now lives not too far from here now stands in the foreground while the crew start to assemble the ribs.

The ribs are bolted to the frame.

Luis and one of his helpers put in another rib.

A border rail gets attached around the circumference of the dish.

The struts that will hold the lnb / feed horn at the correct distance are installed.

See, even in this highly technical stuff a machete can still be used. Actually it works great for removing the burrs on the rivet holes.

The aluminum screening is now being attached.

The dish is about half way screened here. You can see the remaining screen panels to the left.

The collar which will support the dish and allow it to tilt and rotate is placed on top of the pole.

Luis gets the lift ready to raise the dish. The lift consists of a section on narrow gauge rail, several eyelets, and a come along.

Sombra has inspected and found everything in order.

The base gets hoisted into position first. it is able to pivot on the center post that Luis has has hand on.

The last panel gets put in place.

Now the big lift begins.

Ever so slowly and carefully.

Almost there........

In place and ready to have the two nearest bolts welded. The far side is attached with bolts that allow the dish to be adjusted laterally by the two nearest bolts.

Luis breathes a little easier. The dish is mounted. He told me that one large dish had been damaged when the wind wrested it and slammed it into the mounting pole. Thankfully there was no encore performance.