Home Satellite TV Antenna (160-2508) Dish Foundation Faxback Doc. # 31433 Once you have completed the site survey, you must decide which type of foundation you prefer for the post/base assembly and which is best for your area. This decision might even affect the dish location if your site survey reveals more than one suitable location. The parts necessary for this section of the installation are all located in System Box #1. * Steel Rods (3) * Large Nuts and Washers (6 sets) * Post/Base Assembly You will need to supply 2/3 cubic yard of cement for the foundation. The feedboom and dish arms are also in System Box #1. Leave them in the box until they are needed. SELECTING THE TYPE OF FOUNDATION There are two types of foundations -"pier" and "slab." The pier foundation requires a round hole 28 inches in diameter and 4 feet deep. The slab foundation requires a 3 by 3 foot square hole that is 2 feet deep. Both foundations require approximately the same amount of cement (2/3 cubic yard) and in the vast majority of locations either will provide excellent support for the dish. Here are some hints for preferred foundation types in extreme weather and/or soil conditions. * In areas that have extended periods of extreme cold, the pier foundation is less likely to shift because of the weather conditions. With either type of foundation, the cement must extend at least one foot below the frost line. Contact the nearest weather service for this information. * The slab foundation is best for sandy or rocky soil. * If you hit bedrock at less than the required depth for the pier foundation (4 feet), you should use a slab foundation. If the bedrock is too shallow to allow even the 2-foot depth necessary for the standard slab foundation, increase the other dimensions of the slab to accommodate the required 2/3 cubic yard of cement. For example, if the hole can be only 8 inches deep, the foundation must be approximately 5 feet, 2 inches square. Under no circumstances should a foundation be less than 8 inches deep. The information below provide details and helpful hints for installation with each type of foundation. This information might also help you decide which type is best for your location. PIER FOUNDATION After you dig the 28-inch by 4-foot hole for a pier foundation, there are some additional things that you can do before you pour the cement to improve the quality of the foundation. First, angle out the side of the hole slightly toward the bottom - this reduces the possibility of shifting during extreme cold. Then, add an inch or two of gravel to the bottom of the hole to provide better drainage. (Make wider at Bottom) When the hole is properly prepared, attach the longer sides of the steel rods to the post/base assembly as described below. 1. Place one of the large nuts and washers on the longer side of each rod. NOTE: You should install each nut/washer the same distance from the end of the rod-about 2 1/4 inches. 2. From the bottom of the base, insert the rods through the holes in the base. 3. Slide a second washer onto each rod and screw on a second large nut. 4. Position the rods and securely tighten the top nuts. 5. Place the rods into the hole and support the base using 2 x 4 boards so there is about 2 inches of spaces between the bottom of the base and the surface of the ground. 6. Using a standard carpenter's leveling gauge, check the position of the post at two points that are 90 degrees apart. If necessary, use small pieces of wood under the supports to get the post exactly level. You will fine tune the leveling later by adjusting the nuts that hold the base to the foundation rods, but do not use this method to level the post now. 7. Cover the base and top sections of the rods with a plastic bag to keep from covering or clogging them with cement. 8. Begin pouring the cement and fill the hole so that the cement is even with the surface of the ground (about 2 inches below the bottom of the base). 9. Use your leveling gauge to be sure the post is still level. Readjust the base supports if necessary. 10. Allow the cement to set for at least 48 hours before proceeding with dish installation - longer if there is any significant amount of precipitation during the setting period. NOTE: Temperature and humidity affect the proper curing of the cement. The ideal conditions are 72-74 degrees F and high relative humidity. Observe the following guidelines to assure proper curing of the foundation. Do not pour the cement if the temperature is forecast to be below 40 degrees F during the curing period. During hot and/or extremely dry weather, occasionally spray the foundation with water to keep it moist for 6-7 days after you pour it. SLAB FOUNDATION After you dig the 3 x 3 x 2 foot hole for a slab foundation, you can angle out the side of the hole slightly toward the bottom-this reduces the possibility of shifting during extreme cold. When the hold is properly prepared, attach the shorter side of the steel rods to the post/base as described below. 1. Place one of the large nuts and washers on the shorter side of each rod. NOTE: You should install each nut/washer the same distance from the end of the rod-about 2 1/4 inches. 2. From the bottom of the base, insert the rods through the holes in the base. 3. Slide a second washer onto each road and screw on a second large nut. 4. Position the rods and securely tighten the top nuts. 5. Now, place the rods in the hold and support the base using 2/x boards to that the bottom of the base is about 2 inches above the surface of the ground. 6. Using a standard carpenter's leveling gauge, check the position of the post. If necessary use small pieces of wood under the supports to get the post exactly level. You will fine tune the leveling later by adjusting the nuts that hold the base to the foundation rods, but do not use this method to level the post now. 7. Cover the base and top of the rods with a plastic bag to keep from covering or clogging them with cement. 8. Begin pouring the cement and fill the hole so that the cement is even with the surface of the ground (about 2 inches below the bottom of the base). 9. Use your leveling gauge to be sure the post is still level. Readjust the base supports if necessary. 10. Allow the cement to set for at least 48 hours before proceeding with the dish installation - longer if there is any significant amount of precipitation during the setting period. NOTE: Temperature and humidity affect the proper curing of the cement. The ideal conditions are 72-74 degrees F and high relative humidity. You should follow these guidelines to assure proper during of the foundation. Do not pour the cement if the temperature is forecast to be below 40 degrees F during the curing period. During hot and/or extremely dry weather, occasionally spray the foundation with water to keep it moist for 6-7 days after you pour it. (CS 3/19/96)