1. Dish selection
    1. The solid / mesh choice
      1. Solid dishes
        1. sturdier
        2. hold shape better
        3. flex less in wind
        4. more expensive but better value for the dollar
        5. useful life of 7 to 20 years
        6. ABC recommends only solid dishes
      2. Mesh or perforated dishes
        1. more flexible
        2. move more in the wind
        3. less durable
        4. less expensive
        5. need more frequent replacement; useful life of 4 to 6 years
        6. gain specs won't last
        7. sidelobe rejection of adjacent satellites is poorer and not consistent from year to year
      3. Offset dishes
        1. "Offset" means the feed element is purposely kept outside of the "main beam" between the dish and the satellite.
        2. Reduces terrestrial interference and improves beam shape slightly.
        3. Additional complexity: there are more angles to take into account when setting up or adjusting
    2. Diameter choices: Bigger is better
      1. higher gain
      2. narrower "beam" has better sidelobe rejection of adjacent satellites
      3. better rejection of terrestrial interference
      4. ABC recommends a minimum diameter of 3.7 meters
      5. 4.5 meters virtually guarantees headache-free operation for 15 years or more
    3. Mounting choices
      1. Improperly mounted dishes will move with wind
      2. Inexpensive mounts, often sold separately, may be less durable than the dish manufacturer's own mounting structure.
      3. Single-pole mounts work best when braced with diagonal members also anchored to the foundation. A triangle is an inherently stable structure. Purchase high-wind brace kit if available for your dish.
      4. Any existing foundation or roof interface structure may need to be modified to accommodate high wind braces.
      5. Ground Foundation
        1. Will require digging and concrete pouring.
        2. Will give best stability while enjoying advantages of ground location.
      6. Roof structure add-on
        1. Architect or structural engineer will need to design an "adapter", usually of steel members, to "mate" the structure of the building to the mounting legs of the antenna.
        2. Suggest designing for 125 mi/hr wind survival.
        3. Will require steel contractor to install.
        4. Will be very stable but very expensive.
        5. It's custom made for the building. If you move the dish to another building, the investment will be lost.
        6. Can rarely be used on wood frame buildings.
      7. Roof non-penetrating mounts
        1. Uses "dead weight" (usually concrete blocks) to hold dish in place.
        2. Rarely stable enough for antennas large enough to receive C-band signals. Will creep (move) in gusty wind.
      8. Pole mount at side of building
        1. Pole is mounted in concrete foundation on ground.
        2. Pole is taller than building.
        3. Pole is attached to building near roof line.
        4. Only workable for one- or two-story buildings.
        5. More expensive than ground foundation but uses less land area.
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