How to make an inclinometer

[crossbones]

How to make an inclinometer

You can easily make you own inclinometer, for satellite dish elevation adjustment, which will more accurate than most cheap ones you can buy.
Instructions on how to make an inclinometer:

You need to print out the image below and stick it onto a piece of cardboard. Make a pinhole at the apex (centre of the small circle, near top left corner) and insert a length of strong sewing thread. Behind the card use sticky tape to secure the thread. At the front, attach a small weight, such as a 15mm or 1/2 inch metal nut, to the end of the thread, approx 20 cm or 8 inches long, so the weight dangles down past the lower edge of the card.

To use it, simply place the left edge of the card against the surface you are trying to measure. Always think about the angle and ask yourself if the meaning of the numbers make sense. Lowering the beam should reduce the elevation angle, down to zero at the horizon. Straight up is 90 deg. If the scale reads backwards in your case, don't worry; just count the degrees from the other end.
In the case of axi-symmetric, circular dishes, with 3 or 4 equal length struts supporting the LNB on the exact centre line, then the beam is at right angles to the central backing structure behind the reflector.
In the case of offset fed antennas, where there is a main feed support arm, normally at the bottom of the dish, and two shorter side support struts there is an offset angle. When the front face of the dish is upright the beam will have an elevation angle of perhaps 22.5 deg, 25 deg etc according to the specific manufacturer. To help in these cases, the manufacturer often makes a part of the metal structure so it is at right angles to the beam direction. This metal part may be the lower part of the spine behind the dish or form the rear part on a sloping boss fixture behind the middle of the dish. If there is scale you don't need this inclinometer !

[wod]

i bought one off ebay its well good

aren't angle finders more for polar mounts and 36v h2h motors ?

[merlodlliw]

I always find that getting my pole dead plumb, takes out a hell of a lot of problems, I get my long/lat of Google map of my house to the nearest thou, then life becomes much easier, I must say except for compass
I have never had the need to buy an inclinometer or use one.

I am at the moment replanting my 80cm dish(motorised), from the top of a bird bath onto a pole (footpath sign post thrown away by Wrexham County Council) I have dug a five foot hole,cut a few feet off the pole
put a magnetised level on it, now for the infill(stone) then concrete top.
OK I live on a mountain so its all at ground level, system motorised,old
four year old motor zapped by lightening, will only move one way, so
new one on the way at £35, now for a meter dish when I find a cheap one.

Good advice though you guys.
PS, as I pay Council tax to Wrexham Council a grand+, all I get is the bin empted once a fortnight. so I have paid for the pole they threw away in a skip.

Bob

[crossbones]

aren't angle finders more for polar mounts and 36v h2h motors ?

Yes wod, not realy needed for diseq motor`s.

That pole merlodlliw, will never move! better to over engineer any how!

[merlodlliw]

Originally Posted by crossbones

Yes wod, not realy needed for diseq motor`s.

That pole merlodlliw, will never move! better to over engineer any how!

Thanks Mr Bones, ill give you a well done.

Bob

[Robbo]

Like the inclinometer crossbones

Like wod I have a Digital angle guage also. My main use for it is when planning the install to ensure that you will have good line of site to the satellites wanted.

[crossbones]

I have been looking at the digital one`s, I can see me getting one soon!

[Robbo]

One problem I have found with mine though is that it keeps forgetting where zero is, so a spirit level is needed to set it again. Does yours do this wod?

[G77]

another blue peter syle inclinometer here. could be used in a hybrid fashion with crossbones tut.

this one is aimed at measuring how tall that tree is 13E from your best south facing wall!

you can couple this together with dishpointer.com for the distances using the green and red pointers.

you need to know the height from the floor to your eyes too.