DIY Satellite Dish Mount and FreeSat

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I had a fairly new mini-dish kicking around and wondered if it could be used to bring some FreeSat channels into my van. I had an idea, rushed off down to Wickes's and purchased a 'L' shaped builders bracket (although a shelf bracket would also suffice), and got a length of  approx 5" x 1.3/4" planed wood out of my garage and into the chopsaw.

Approximately 30 mins later I had the construction you see in the photos. Sorry I did not move the cables out of the way before the shots. It was a rather rushed construction and I didn't even chop the 10mm threaded bar down to the correct size or treat the wood. Next attempt will be more in keeping with the van..

By trapping the mount under one of the four corner steadies, you must always have at least one facing the correct direction. The wood is light and the dish quickly unbolts from its steel arm by two 6mm screws for easy storage in the front locker. The spare cable you see is necessary to reach the rear of the van from the coax entry point at the battery box if it gets mounted there.

Even new, the mini-dish is only twenty something pounds, and the mount is more secure and not attractive to thieves like a tripod so you can rest easy at night.

We use the Sky receiver from home in the van with a ?20 FreeSat viewing card which enables us to get Channel 4 and 5, and Sky 3 over the many channels available with nothing at all, and there is no annual subscription. FreeSat with a viewing card from Sky is not to be confused with FreeSat from ITV and BBC which is a cardless receiver. I'd keep a spare receiver in the van but it's too much trouble to keep swopping the card over. I got a signal strength meter from Aldi for ?4, and can be up and viewing in minutes!

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Next Photo:

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And another.. (Click to enlarge)

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Last one.

[JaG]

Now that is clever, and simple too. I have the tripod and always sceptical that one day someone will 'nick' it for sure, even though it is locked to the bodywork.

[AllanandJackie]

I am in awe with your DIY capabilities guys, although your sat dish installations really does leave alot to be desired, hopefully they work far better than the pics on cabling looks!!

Can't remember off hand what year caravans you guys have but on the 2008 units the standard fitment of Status 530 Omni directional TV aerial and  booster box will allow you to receive all free view channels with a digital TV.

I am in early discussions with a Sat Dish distributor/installer about how they could help our members who want full satalite capability.

Watch this space for an update.

Allan.