12
INSTALLING THE MAST ONTO A WOODEN DECK POST (CONTINUED)
9. Install a 3/8-inch washer on a 3/8-inch x 4-inch lag screw.
Apply soap or some other lubricant to the screw.
10. Use a wrench (preferably a ratchet) to screw the lag screw
into the top center hole of the base plate (see Figure 11).
You may need to swing the mast out of the way temporarily.
Tighten the screw snugly so that the base plate can barely
move.
Do not pound the lag screws into the post with a hammer or mallet.
Doing so may split the wood and render the post unusable.
11. Replumb the mast in two perpendicular directions as you
did in step 5. You may need to make adjustments to the mast
and/or the base plate. If you adjust the base plate, do not
move the center of the bottom center hole off the centerline
more than 1/16-inch.
12. Tighten the lag screw snugly so that the base cannot move.
13. Tighten the adjustment nuts.
14. Replumb the mast. (Tightening the nuts can move the mast
off plumb.) Note: the mast must be plumb before proceed-
ing.
15. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to drill holes for the top left center, top
right center, bottom left center, and bottom right center
holes. See Figure 11. Note: You must mark the center of all
screw holes accurately so that you can plumb the mast. A
Stanley Jumbo Self Centering Nail Set or similar product
will produce the best results. A #6 washer can also be used
to guide your pencil as it marks the hole center.
Note: the base plate must not move when you drill the holes.
16. Install a 3/8-inch washer on each of the 3/8-inch x 4-inch
lag screws. Apply soap or some other lubricant to the
screws.
17. Use a wrench (preferably a ratchet) to screw the lag screw
into the four holes. Tighten the screws loosely.
18. Re-plumb the mast and snug down the four screws firmly.
19. Loosen the mast adjustment nuts and swing the mast down
so you have access to the bottom center hole.
20. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to drill holes for the bottom center
hole.
Note: the base plate must not move when you drill the hole.
21. Install a 3/8-inch washer on the final 3/8-inch x 4-inch lag
screw. Apply soap or some other lubricant to the screw.
22. Use a wrench (preferably a ratchet) to screw the lag screw
into the lower center hole. Tighten the screw loosely.
23. Re-plumb the mast and snug down the lag screw.
24. Use a torque wrench to sung down the mast adjustment nuts
to 18 ft.-lbs. Confirm the mast is plumb after torquing.
Note: The mast must be plumb before you can proceed. If you cannot
plumb the mast, repeat the installation or find another installation site.
Continue with section “Installing the Cap Onto the Satellite
Antenna Dish” on page 22.
Figure 11
Top left center
Top
Bottom
Top center
Top right center
Bottom right
center
Bottom center
Bottom left center
All lag screws
3/8-inches x 4-inches
Center line
