TASKFORCE ∅ - This is my swamp

[northstar747]

you can also get a telescoping flag pole

 

[Sneedcore0000006]

I second the quick-crete idea. However I suggest using a larger piece of wood, like a 4 x 4 x 12 from home depot (~$35) and also using a very large decorative planter pot from Walmart (same price).

Simply don't fill the planter pot all the way to the top with quick crete so you can put 5 inches of dirt into it and plant some flowers. Then when you move out, cut the wood off and it looks like a normal pot. Just extremely heavy.

(I ain't no artist but something like this. You can put christmas lights up the pole or some shit too)

 

[Sneedcore0000006]

Oh, and if you need to do maintenance just use a ladder. Welcome back to America as a man over 30, it's time to start building your stockpile of tools and handyman supplies.

 

[CryptoHermit]

@Null I have the personal webpage of laser physicist Samuel M. Goldwasser where he's been a lifelong tinkerer and self-sufficiency guy and published all his notes on repairing practically any household tech or machines in general. https://www.repairfaq.org/sam/

Silicon Sam's Technology Resource (SSTR) - V5.20
Main Table of Contents (ToC)​

Note: If you know of something that is incorrect or missing from this page or if you have any additions, please contact me via the Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ Email Links Page.
Everything in SSTR is now accessible directly from the S.E.R FAQ Main ToC. It may be better to link there instead.

The SSTR Expanded ToC lists ALL files of mine resident at this site. This may be convenient if you are attempting to locate or download a particular photo, schematic, or other file not referenced directly by the top level ToC or its Sub-ToCs.

---

[Document Version: 5.11] [Last Updated: 4-Jul-22]

• If you know of something that is incorrect or missing from this site or simply have comments, friendly complaints, requests, or additions, please make use of the absolutely and positively fabulous
• or see the Email Page to identify the most appropriate recipient. Thanks!

---

Search the Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ (including Silicon Sam's Technology Resource and Sam's Laser FAQ)​

The default search goes to www.repairfaq.org since that Web site is generally kept up to date on a daily basis. Click on the appropriate radio buttons to search only this Web site or the entire Web.

---

You may get shocked if you don't read these Notes on Safety

---

Samuel M. Goldwasser's "Notes on the Troubleshooting and Repair of...":

• Introduction
  
  
• Troubleshooting and Repair of Consumer Electronic Equipment
  
  
• Small Household Appliances
• Audio Equipment and Other Miscellaneous Stuff
• AC Adapters, Power Supplies, and Battery Packs
• Compact Disc Players and CDROM Drives
• Optical Disc Players and Optical Data Storage Drives
• Microwave Ovens
• Computer and Video Monitors
• Small Switchmode Power Supplies
• Television Sets (new segmented, includes download link)
• Video Cassette Recorders
  • VCR First Aid
• Hand Held Remote Controls
• Electronic Flash Units and Strobe Lights
• Small Engines and Rotary Lawn Mowers (new segmented, includes download link)
• Printers and Photocopiers (new segmented, includes download link)

---

Samuel M. Goldwasser "Other Repair Information":

• Sam's Repair Briefs
• Interesting Repair Related Stories and Anecdotes
  
  
• VCR Power Supply Hybrid Regulators
• Pinouts for Various Common Chips and Hybrids
  
  
• Capacitor Testing, Safe Discharging, and Other Related Information
• Testing of Flyback (LOPT) Transformers
• Basic Testing of Semiconductor Devices
  
  
• TV and Monitor CRT (Picture Tube) Information
• TV and Monitor Deflection Systems
  
  
• RCA/GE TV CTC175-187+ Solder Connection and EEPROM Problems
• Sony TV Tuner and IF Solder Connection Problems
  
  
• Nikon Digital Camera and Lens Information and Repair
  
  
• On-Line Tech-Tips Databases
  
  
• Major Service Parts Suppliers

---

Samuel M. Goldwasser "LASERS: Safety, Info, Links, Parts, Types, Drive, Construction":

• Sam's Laser FAQ - A Practical Guide to Lasers for Experimenters and Hobbyists.
  
  
• Sam's Laser FAQ Expanded Table of Contents - HTML, photos, diagrams, schematics.
• Sam's Laser FAQ Comprehensive Table of Contents - Direct links to every chapter and section.
  
  
• Laser Equipment Gallery - Photos of various laser systems, power supplies, and components (Link).

---

Samuel M. Goldwasser "General (Mostly Electronics) Information and Links":

• Sam's Mad Scientist Corner Slightly more so than the other stuff.
  
  
• Voxel Processor-Based Interactive Workstations for Three-Dimensional Visualization
  
  
• Various Schematics and Diagrams
  
  
• Simple High Voltage Generator
• Jacob's Ladders
  
  
• Basics of High Voltage Probe Design
  
  
• Salvaging Interesting Gadgets, Components, and Subsystems
• Miscellaneous Technical Information (which your probably don't need)
  
  
• Performance Testing of Computer and Video Monitors
• Approaches to using Fixed Frequency or Non-Standard Monitors on PCs
• Notes on Video Conversion
  
  
• Fluorescent Lamps, Ballasts, and Fixtures
• Gas Discharge Lamps, Ballasts, and Fixtures
  
  
• X-Ray System Technology
  
  
• International Power and Standards Conversion
  
  
• Engineering, Science, and Other (Pretty Clean) Jokes Collection
  
  
• Sam's Neat, Nifty, and Handy Bookmarks - Over 1,000 Technology Links (Electronics, lasers, more).
  
  
• Sam's Classified Page - Sam's stuff for sale or trade and items wanted.

---

 

[God's drunkest driver]

If you're going to be renting, who is to say that your retard/boomer landlord won't object to your towering Mobile Autism Projection Device? This is something you will have to vet before you settle in. If the weak microwave transmissions of starlink being unable to penetrate foliage is a major issue, a portable winch up mast, which is usually on a tripod, with sandbags to keep it from blowing over, is probably a better option than retardation like trailers. These are usually guyed, and require the space to be guyed, but they are undoubtedly the most cost effective of the solutions. I can't suggest something new from a specific manufacturer other than MFJ - "Mighty Fine Junk" the boomer hams call it, but I suggest you troll ham forums and facebook marketplace for used ham gear, which other than radios tends to not hold value well. Hams are also frequently autistic boomers who hate not being told what to do and will likely be helpful in actually setting up your elevated starlink.

 

[DavidS877]

If you're going to be renting, who is to say that your retard/boomer landlord won't object to your towering Mobile Autism Projection Device?

And unless he's ass-deep in the swamp, I give it a week before it shows up on the local Facebook or NextDoor group with "What the fuck is this?"

 

[NortelNutworks]

How heavy is a Starlink terminal? You might be able to get away with 2 or 3 sections of swedged chain link fence top rail and guy wires to anchors in the ground. Not the fastest to set up and tear down but how often does this have to be moved?

 

[Null]

13lh I think

 

[DavidS877]

I keep coming back to a cheap telescoping pole, which should be concreted into the ground.

But put it on a tripod since you can't dig a hole.

Attach the tripod to several pieces of 2x6 or 2x8 treated lumber for a base so it doesn't sink into the mud.

Grey is the tripod outline. Lighter brown are the bottom wood, heavier brown are wood for the feet to bolt to and to bolt to both crossing pieces. Yellow squiggles are 100+ lbs of sand bags or concrete block. 5' would be the minimum radius from the antenna in the center. Probably want a board there for the antenna bottom to rest on.

No, this isn't intended for 2, but should be cheap enough to build 2. Trying to raise 2 dishes on a single manual telescoping pole would suck as you're having to manually lift 30lbs carefully, dealing with the wires until the next latch engages.

The numbers i can find indicate a 50mph wind on a 3 square foot antenna is 20lbs force on a 20ft mast would need to be countered with around 80lbs on a 5 foot lever arm.

I think the Starlink wind profile is less than 3 square feet so this should have plenty of margin. It's annoyingly difficult to find the expected wind loading numbers for their stupid antennas

 

[GungusDingaling]

View attachment 6737365

Why crayon

 

[DavidS877]

Why crayon

I'm an engineer, they don't trust us with sharp objects like pencils.

 

[GungusDingaling]

I'm an engineer, they don't trust us with sharp objects like pencils.

I could tell from the dimensioning/annotation lol, steal some colored pens from your office

 

[Sperg_rancher]

alright, this looked too fun, and I can't help myself..

Attach the tripod to several pieces of 2x6 or 2x8 treated lumber for a base so it doesn't sink into the mud.

So I'm trying my hand.
This is what one of my previous landlords allowed me to do.

If you have a fence post that's really over-built, you can attach a temporary mast to it.
I drew the U-bolts the wrong way, but you get the idea. This is what I did, but I've heard a lot of HAMs use the house itself for stabilization. That's a bit more strategic, but allows for much larger masts.

 

[NortelNutworks]

13lh I think

I guess that's 13lb in sausage-fingers.

You know honestly if your goal is redundancy, don't put both of the Starlink terminals on the pole. Stick one up there and set the other one up by the house so if the pole comes down or some lawn care dingus hits the wire with a weedwacker you're not totally offline.

 

[Shopping Cart Nationalist]

How heavy is a Starlink terminal?

13lh I think

I guess that's 13lb in sausage-fingers.

It is simple to look these things up. 6.3 lbs. each antenna, so 12.6 lbs. for two, not counting any mounting hardware.

don't put both of the Starlink terminals on the pole. Stick one up there and set the other one up by the house

Like was pointed out already, OR just use two separate poles.
I find it hilarious that this thread is about 'How do I fortify my impenetrable swamp bunker?' but here we are stuck on getting a couple of antennas on a pole.

 

[AntiSchwuletteAktion]

this setup is stupid expensive though. the pneumatic mast is like $2000+$2000 shipping from chyna and i cant find locals with price tag.

A flagpole would be cheaper, even if you paid someone to install it.

https://www.uncommonflagpoles.com/telescoping-flagpole-hd-heavy-duty-25-foot/

You'd have to rig up a mount for the starlink receiver, but as a bonus you get a flagpole

 

[Null]

I am not pouring cement in a rental

 

[soup peddler]

I am not pouring cement in a rental

Used tire or drum + cement + pole

It's rural math

https://howdyyadewit.blogspot.com/2011/10/building-tire-and-concrete-movable.html

 

[Your Starter for 10]

Baird (among others) makes an adjustable mount for your roof (which is probably going to be the area furthest from any trees) that you can weight with sandbags. Not sure if your roof clears the nearest trees, but if it's just typical Florida pine scrub, it should. Also might not work if you are in a mobile home (too small and roof is probably too flimsy).

The Bairds are like $300 but that's only if you are afraid of drilling holes for the cheaper regular mounts in your roof (into a stud and under the roofing) because those are like $50 each.

Roof might not be an option if your trees are too big or your yard/house are too close to them, but I'd try it before spending a ton more on a mast setup.

Also if you ARE in Florida you might not need quite as much clearance as you think since the Starlink almost always points straight up.

 

[Jemn Oopi]

I am not pouring cement in a rental

Used tire or drum + cement + pole

Please remember that "cement" and "concrete" are not the same thing.

Concrete is a composite material composed of aggregate bonded together with a fluid cement that cures to a solid over time.

Construction aggregate, or simply aggregate, is a broad category of coarse- to medium-grained particulate material used in construction. Traditionally, it includes natural materials such as sand, gravel, crushed stone. As with other types of aggregates, it is a component of composite materials, particularly concrete and asphalt.

A cement is a binder, a chemical substance used for construction that sets, hardens, and adheres to other materials to bind them together. Cement is used seldom on its own, but usually to bind sand and gravel (aggregate) together.

Ready-mix concrete [such as the bags that you can buy in Home Depot] refers to concrete that is specifically manufactured for customers' construction projects, and supplied to the customer on site as a single product. It is a mixture of Portland or other cements, water, and aggregates: sand, gravel, or crushed stone.