Replacement of Status 530 with Manual Satellite Dish Forums

tiffy

Wonder if anyone has ever contemplated or actually fitting a manually controlled satellite dish in place of a standard Status 530 directional antenna on a motorhome roof using the existing Status mounting hole.

I would like to fit a dish on my Hymer roof but loath to start drilling holes, even the mounting and cable holes associated with an auto-seeking, dome systems such as TrakVision or Camos.

One system I thought might be a posibility was the Globesat [MHF Link] system as supplied by RoadPro which I believe uses a 30mm. diameter pole ? I don`t know the actual diameter of the Status 530 mast, do have one but not presently at home so can`t measure.

Obviously I would have to be willing to give up my terrestrial antenna if the swop was possible but I could live with that. The pole diameter would have to be a very good fit in the existing Status gland to eliminate any chance of water ingress. My Status is the longer mast variety with the integral lower support.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions very welcome.

Anyone ever tried this and if so what make of device ?

Regards,

Derek P.

some-where-in-oxford

I also considered this approach, but wondered if the hole for status was too near the outside edge for a satellite dish? The dish may have slight overhang off the side of van roof?

tiffy

Thanks for the reply.

I should`nt have a problem with the mounting location it`s quite well in-board and in the clear, the mast diameter would be the critical factor.

gaspode · Moderator

The hole for the status is slightly larger than the one required for the Globesat [MHF Link] (the pole is 36mm dia on the Status and 30mm on the Globesat [MHF Link]). The offset from the wardrobe wall is greater on the Status but this could easily be taken care of by using a spacer about 5mm thick. The distance from the van side should be similar.

I don't see any problem with doing a straight swap, you'd just need to make a couple of "washers" from some sheet aluminium to compensate for the larger hole in the roof, use plenty of Sikaflex and there shouldn't be a leakage problem.

rowley

I would be inclined to keep the Status 530 for the occasions when you are unable to get a satellite signal, such as under trees etc.
Drilling a hole in the roof is not a major problem so long as you ensure that there are no cables in the way. I made a circular reinforcing piece from ABS and stuck it on with Sikaflex 512, and then drilled through. So long as you make sure that your fittings are sealed with the Sikaflex you should not have a problem.
If you fit a Camos you only have to drill one hole for the cable as the dish is just glued on, although I secured mine with screws as well.

pauwilson

I have a kathrein and looked at the idea as well, the katherien pole is even thicker than Globesat [MHF Link] but is still not as wide as the Status. I opted for the other wardrobe wall instead.

If the dish did overhang, you could just offset is slightly in transit.

gaspode · Moderator

tiffy

Many thanks to all for the comments and very useful information.

Gaspode, from your explanation I take it you are refering to removing the Status mounting gland and fitting the Globesat [MHF Link] gland in the same hole, I had hoped to obtain a device with the same mast diameter as the Status and simply insert into the existing mount.

So, looks like there is nothing available with a 36mm. mast which would be a direct replacement for the Status, will have to re-consider the hole in the roof scenario !

If I do decide to go for a new mounting location I will almost certainly go for an auto-seeking dish, the Camos dome would seem to be the least intrusive with respect to hole drilling in the roof.

Again, many thanks to all for assistance.

Derek P.