Winegard SensarPro installation problem.

[daveswenson]

Today I purchased a SensarPro TV Signal Meter. I thought it would be a simple install. Just unscrew the signal booster wall plate, move the cables over and screw in the new plate. Wrong. The hole cut into the aluminum wall panel isn't big enough for the assembly. So I figure I can try to find a spacer that will work or cut the hole bigger. It's a brand new trailer and I'm a little afraid I'll butcher the wall.

Any advice on tools or techniques to enlarge the opening without making a mess of things?

Thanks,
Dave

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by daveswenson

Today I purchased a SensarPro TV Signal Meter. I thought it would be a simple install. Just unscrew the signal booster wall plate, move the cables over and screw in the new plate. Wrong. The hole cut into the aluminum wall panel isn't big enough for the assembly. So I figure I can try to find a spacer that will work or cut the hole bigger. It's a brand new trailer and I'm a little afraid I'll butcher the wall.

Any advice on tools or techniques to enlarge the opening without making a mess of things?

Thanks,
Dave

I would start with something similar to this:

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-76...+metal+nibbler

Using a nibbler. you can make a nicer opening than Airstream generally cuts.

Ken

[daveswenson]

Originally Posted by w7ts

I would start with something similar to this:

Klein Tools 76011B Nibbler Tool - Amazon.com

Using a nibbler. you can make a nicer opening than Airstream generally cuts.

Ken

Thanks, just what I need to know. Will I need to file or sand the edge when I'm done?

Dave

[Bigventure]

You can use a pair of tin snips. They will cut the aluminum just fine.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by daveswenson

Thanks, just what I need to know. Will I need to file or sand the edge when I'm done?

Dave

As the name says it nibbles away the aluminum in little rectangular, sometimes nearly square, bites. The edge will be as smooth and straight as you take care to make it. I can make a nice smooth edge and I'm not particularly handy. I suggest experimenting on a scrap of aluminum to get the hang of it. If your trailer is like mine you can probably find scraps of Airstream aluminum, by pulling out drawers and looking behind them. If not, you will probably start a good collection of unused screws and pop rivets. I wish someone would give those guys a vacuum.

Ken

[daveswenson]

I haven't found any big pieces of aluminum yet but I have quite a collection of little curly aluminum strings.

Thanks so much for the help. We've probably chatted as I flew overhead. Although if you were at Denver center it was probably for about 30 seconds. How small are those sectors? Seems like constantly changing freqs.

Dave

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by daveswenson

I haven't found any big pieces of aluminum yet but I have quite a collection of little curly aluminum strings.

Thanks so much for the help. We've probably chatted as I flew overhead. Although if you were at Denver center it was probably for about 30 seconds. How small are those sectors? Seems like constantly changing freqs.

Dave

I worked at Seattle center from 1971 to 1993 and Denver Center from 1993 to 2004. Sector sizes vary a lot, the idea is to equalize the workload. So in areas of high traffic volume and/or complex terrain or routing they will be smaller. The smallest one I ever worked was a sector we had at Seattle Center that did nothing but handle traffic 4000' feet and below between Whidbey approach and Seattle approach. I think that is part of Seattle approach now. We basically provided radar approach control for Paine Field and Arlington Airport. The largest I ever worked was probably one that ran north south from Cheyenne to just south of Billings and east west from Rock Springs to well into south Dakota and Nebraska.
The busiest sector I ever worked was the one that handled traffic for Aspen and Eagle Airports in the winter.

Basically during my career, geographically I worked all of Seattle Center and 60% of Denver Center. I got bored easily, so tried new things often.

Ken

[daveswenson]

Small world, I'm a Capt for Alaska. Thanks for keeping me alive.

Dave

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by daveswenson

Small world, I'm a Capt for Alaska. Thanks for keeping me alive.

Dave

Well, I say there is a good chance we've talked to one another. I'll pass your thanks on to my wife also. She also worked at Seattle and now works at Denver. She has a year and a half till she retires. She's just a kid.

Ken