Equipment Housing in Garden

Latest News and Discussion about the use of the DATV transponder on Es'hail-2
Post Reply
G8KWR
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2020 3:41 pm

Equipment Housing in Garden

Post by G8KWR » Fri Dec 04, 2020 9:31 am

Looking at the feasibility of accessing Es'Hail. Due to trees on public land, the only location for a dish(es) where I "might" get access to the satellite is in one corner at the back of the garden, nowhere near the house, a shed, or the garage.

Can I ask what people use to house their PA and any other equipment close to the dish when no building is available.

Thank you

g0mjw
Posts: 2311
Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2014 9:15 am

Re: Equipment Housing in Garden

Post by g0mjw » Fri Dec 04, 2020 9:47 am

Most people build some form of waterproof box. When I needed to do that a few years ago I used a 4x2x2 ft plastic garden storage box, which doesn't look out of place in a garden. Plenty of space, weatherproof(ish) and most importantly cheap.

Your main issue will be dealing with heat I expect. An external radiator is a solution to that, either water cooled with a pump and pipes or a heatsink on the outside. Water cooling is very effective but also quite a bit of plumbing. External heatsinks tricky to avoid water getting in but it's possible.

The other option is to find an old outdoor telecoms base station or link case. Perfect for the job but not sure where you find one at the moment with no rallies.

My antenna is only 4m from the house so I have coax. When you say nowhere near, how far do you mean as a 10m length of LDF5-50 or 20m length of LDF7-50 is not going to lose much more than a dB at 2.4GHz.

Mike

g4eml
Posts: 666
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 9:36 am

Re: Equipment Housing in Garden

Post by g4eml » Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:02 am

I use a standard IP65 electrical enclosure, size 500 x 500 x 300. Mounted above ground on a post. Available from any electrical wholesalers. Nice gasket sealed door. Cables fed in through standard 20mm glands.
As Mike says getting rid of heat can be a problem. The steel cabinet can be used as a big heat sink if the amp is bolted directly to it. Alternatively a fan can be fitted but that needs air inlets and outlets which then need cowls to prevent rain ingress.

Colin.

G8KWR
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2020 3:41 pm

Re: Equipment Housing in Garden

Post by G8KWR » Fri Dec 04, 2020 10:35 am

Thanks for the ideas. Point to point (2 sides of garden + up to 1st floor) it will be at least 30M. Hadn't thought of the heating issue, so perhaps the steel box on a pole might have some advantages. Before spending too much money, first need to determine whether a dish in the location in mind can get past the council trees.

DG8KD
Posts: 82
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 9:02 pm

Re: Equipment Housing in Garden

Post by DG8KD » Fri Dec 04, 2020 5:05 pm

Hi,
I used an old power distribution box, those which you can find on construction aeras, see attached photos.
It is cheap, easy to paint, has mointing possibilities inside, able to be locked with a locker.
73
Rainer , DG8KD
Attachments
20201111_152934_2.jpg
20201111_152934_2.jpg (894.31 KiB) Viewed 3180 times
20201111_152951_2.jpg
20201111_152951_2.jpg (985.3 KiB) Viewed 3180 times

Post Reply

Return to “Es’hail-2 - DATV Transponder”