Rain Fade

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Emil

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May 20, 2004
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I moved from DirecTV to Dish and the rain fade seems worse with Dish. What
can I do to get a better signal?
I have heard I can get a larger dish and that would help. Anyone know a
model number or link to a better dish? EBay have this dish?
Would I have to have a new dish aligned again?
Thanks for any help.
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

Emil wrote:
>
> I moved from DirecTV to Dish and the rain fade seems worse with Dish. What
> can I do to get a better signal?
> I have heard I can get a larger dish and that would help. Anyone know a
> model number or link to a better dish? EBay have this dish?
> Would I have to have a new dish aligned again?

Don't know about the part number or type, but you would most obviously
have to re-aim the dish.
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

You can find a old primestar dish, which is bigger and put your DTV Lnb's on
it and will get better performance. They can be found for free. Drive around
and look for one in somebody's yard. There no good anymore, primestar is no
more.

"AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message news:40BC927B.17C1E967@your.net...
> Emil wrote:
> >
> > I moved from DirecTV to Dish and the rain fade seems worse with Dish.
What
> > can I do to get a better signal?
> > I have heard I can get a larger dish and that would help. Anyone know a
> > model number or link to a better dish? EBay have this dish?
> > Would I have to have a new dish aligned again?
>
> Don't know about the part number or type, but you would most obviously
> have to re-aim the dish.
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

Perfect 10 in Little Rock, Arkansas sells DBS antennas up to 4 ft. in
diameter. The bad news is you have to purchase one through a dealer, which they
probably will provide.



JustMe wrote:

> You can find a old primestar dish, which is bigger and put your DTV Lnb's on
> it and will get better performance. They can be found for free. Drive around
> and look for one in somebody's yard. There no good anymore, primestar is no
> more.
>
> "AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message news:40BC927B.17C1E967@your.net...
> > Emil wrote:
> > >
> > > I moved from DirecTV to Dish and the rain fade seems worse with Dish.
> What
> > > can I do to get a better signal?
> > > I have heard I can get a larger dish and that would help. Anyone know a
> > > model number or link to a better dish? EBay have this dish?
> > > Would I have to have a new dish aligned again?
> >
> > Don't know about the part number or type, but you would most obviously
> > have to re-aim the dish.

--
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

"Emil" <e_lucaREMOVE@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:5B%uc.5070$pO7.1419@newssvr32.news.prodigy.com...
| I moved from DirecTV to Dish and the rain fade seems worse with Dish. What
| can I do to get a better signal?
| I have heard I can get a larger dish and that would help. Anyone know a
| model number or link to a better dish? EBay have this dish?
| Would I have to have a new dish aligned again?
| Thanks for any help.
|
It's an unpleasant job, but when we had these little dishes start to break up
during rainstorms, I had good success just walking out and wiping of the dish
and lnb's.

--
CWC
============================
It's not that nice guys finish last,
They have a whole different notion
where the finish line is.
============================
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

CWCunningham wrote:

> It's an unpleasant job, but when we had these little dishes start to break up
> during rainstorms, I had good success just walking out and wiping of the dish
> and lnb's.

BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!

That's funny stuff, CW!
You should be a "comic writer" for Letterman or Leno!
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

"KF/AKA AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message
news:40FC53BC.7D11601F@your.net...
| CWCunningham wrote:
|
| > It's an unpleasant job, but when we had these little dishes start to break
up
| > during rainstorms, I had good success just walking out and wiping of the
dish
| > and lnb's.
|
| BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!
|
| That's funny stuff, CW!
| You should be a "comic writer" for Letterman or Leno!
|
Yes I should, and yet it works anyway.

--
CWC
============================
It's not that nice guys finish last,
They have a whole different notion
where the finish line is.
============================
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

On Mon, 19 Jul 2004 20:13:11 -0600, "CWCunningham" <charlesw-at-blackfoot.net>
wrote:

>"KF/AKA AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message
>news:40FC53BC.7D11601F@your.net...
>| CWCunningham wrote:
>|
>| > It's an unpleasant job, but when we had these little dishes start to break
>up
>| > during rainstorms, I had good success just walking out and wiping of the
>dish
>| > and lnb's.
>|
>| BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!
>|
>| That's funny stuff, CW!
>| You should be a "comic writer" for Letterman or Leno!
>|
>Yes I should, and yet it works anyway.
Actually cleaning the big parabolic reflectors used
in radar and space transmissions is a very important
task, not for rain fade but to ensure integrity of the
signal.
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

Irwell wrote:
>
> On Mon, 19 Jul 2004 20:13:11 -0600, "CWCunningham" <charlesw-at-blackfoot.net>
> wrote:
>
> >"KF/AKA AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message
> >news:40FC53BC.7D11601F@your.net...
> >| CWCunningham wrote:
> >|
> >| > It's an unpleasant job, but when we had these little dishes start to break
> >up
> >| > during rainstorms, I had good success just walking out and wiping of the
> >dish
> >| > and lnb's.
> >|
> >| BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!
> >|
> >| That's funny stuff, CW!
> >| You should be a "comic writer" for Letterman or Leno!
> >|
> >Yes I should, and yet it works anyway.
> Actually cleaning the big parabolic reflectors used
> in radar and space transmissions is a very important
> task, not for rain fade but to ensure integrity of the
> signal.

Wiping the water off a dish WHILE it's raining doesn't do a damned
thing, as THAT is not what is causing the "fade."

It's what's in the ATMOSPHERE between the satellite and the dish that
causes it.
Cleaning the dish of built up SNOW on the other hand....

CW's story is too funny!
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 18:20:39 GMT, KF/AKA AH#49 <AH#49@your.net> wrote:

>Irwell wrote:
>>
>> On Mon, 19 Jul 2004 20:13:11 -0600, "CWCunningham" <charlesw-at-blackfoot.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >"KF/AKA AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message
>> >news:40FC53BC.7D11601F@your.net...
>> >| CWCunningham wrote:
>> >|
>> >| > It's an unpleasant job, but when we had these little dishes start to break
>> >up
>> >| > during rainstorms, I had good success just walking out and wiping of the
>> >dish
>> >| > and lnb's.
>> >|
>> >| BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!
>> >|
>> >| That's funny stuff, CW!
>> >| You should be a "comic writer" for Letterman or Leno!
>> >|
>> >Yes I should, and yet it works anyway.
>> Actually cleaning the big parabolic reflectors used
>> in radar and space transmissions is a very important
>> task, not for rain fade but to ensure integrity of the
>> signal.
>
>Wiping the water off a dish WHILE it's raining doesn't do a damned
>thing, as THAT is not what is causing the "fade."
>
>It's what's in the ATMOSPHERE between the satellite and the dish that
>causes it.
> Cleaning the dish of built up SNOW on the other hand....
>
>CW's story is too funny!
The snow build up could do two things,
attenuate the signal and possible distortion
of reflector and mis-aiming.
 
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"KF/AKA AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message
news:40FD635D.DA2C6D9@your.net...
| Wiping the water off a dish WHILE it's raining doesn't do a damned
| thing, as THAT is not what is causing the "fade."
|
I would have never questioned that you knew what you were talking about, but if
you believe what you've just said, then you've got at least one thing to learn,
and you're showing a tenacious inablity to do so.

--
CWC
============================
It's not that nice guys finish last,
They have a whole different notion
where the finish line is.
============================
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

Irwell wrote:
>
> On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 18:20:39 GMT, KF/AKA AH#49 <AH#49@your.net> wrote:

> >CW's story is too funny!

> The snow build up could do two things,
> attenuate the signal and possible distortion
> of reflector and mis-aiming.

Indeed. In the winter, I've had to clear the snow off of them many a
time.
That includes my DISH , DirecTV, AND the 36" dishes we have for our
international channels, which are really a lot more prone to signal
loss.
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

On Wed, 21 Jul 2004 15:16:41 GMT, KF/AKA AH#49 <AH#49@your.net> wrote:

>Irwell wrote:
>>
>> On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 18:20:39 GMT, KF/AKA AH#49 <AH#49@your.net> wrote:
>
>> >CW's story is too funny!
>
>> The snow build up could do two things,
>> attenuate the signal and possible distortion
>> of reflector and mis-aiming.
>
>Indeed. In the winter, I've had to clear the snow off of them many a
>time.
> That includes my DISH , DirecTV, AND the 36" dishes we have for our
>international channels, which are really a lot more prone to signal
>loss.
I find the reverse to be true, my Directv and BEV small dishes
are sensitive to rain fade whereas the 10 foot Orbitron will still
handle the Ku and C Band signals under the same condtions,
including looking at Panam 9 which is at a look angle of 10 degrees
here in NW.California. The MPEG/DBS and 4dtv
signals get through with no tiling or break up.
 
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CWCunningham wrote:
>
> "KF/AKA AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message
> news:40FD635D.DA2C6D9@your.net...
> | Wiping the water off a dish WHILE it's raining doesn't do a damned
> | thing, as THAT is not what is causing the "fade."


> I would have never questioned that you knew what you were talking about, but if
> you believe what you've just said, then you've got at least one thing to learn,
> and you're showing a tenacious inablity to do so.

Yeah, I've only been installing professionally for 6 years and have 6
dishes at my own home, where it rains A LOT!

What do you do? Stand out there with a squeegee _while_ it's raining?
I noticed that you snipped the rest of the post that explains what rain
fade IS caused by.
Why is that?

Hell's bells, boy blunder!
I have had "rain caused fade" when it wasn't even raining yet on my
property, due to the severity of storm fronts in the south coming
closer.
 
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"KF/AKA AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message
news:40FE8B5A.6BB68BA@your.net...
| CWCunningham wrote:
| >
| > "KF/AKA AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message
| > news:40FD635D.DA2C6D9@your.net...
| > | Wiping the water off a dish WHILE it's raining doesn't do a damned
| > | thing, as THAT is not what is causing the "fade."
|
I'm sure a few db's here or there make no difference.

|
| > I would have never questioned that you knew what you were talking about, but
if
| > you believe what you've just said, then you've got at least one thing to
learn,
| > and you're showing a tenacious inablity to do so.
|
| Yeah, I've only been installing professionally for 6 years and have 6
| dishes at my own home, where it rains A LOT!
|
So it's not that you can't learn, it's just that you finished learning sometime
back.

| What do you do? Stand out there with a squeegee
|
I've had great success with a simple paper towel, I just left it on the porch on
my way in, and re-used it whenever necessary.

| _while_ it's raining?
|
You're the experienced installer ... should I have waited for better weather?

| I noticed that you snipped the rest of the post that explains what rain
| fade IS caused by.
| Why is that?
|
Because it was irrelevant to what I was saying. I encourage you to go back and
re-read anything you've said that you find pleasing.

| Hell's bells, boy blunder!
| I have had "rain caused fade" when it wasn't even raining yet on my
| property, due to the severity of storm fronts in the south coming
| closer.
|
Hmmmm, maybe a few db's can make all the difference in the world.

--
CWC
============================
It's not that nice guys finish last,
They have a whole different notion
where the finish line is.
============================
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

"KF/AKA AH#49" <AH#49@your.net> wrote in message
news:40FFC097.1C9E0560@your.net...
| CWCunningham wrote:
| > What about this simple concept is impossible? ... I suggest it's your
ability to
| > grasp simple concepts.
|
| So let me see.
| You wipe the rain off, get a few more db's, and the rain, which is
| still falling, doesn't accumulate on the dish anymore?
| BWAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!
|
Windshield wipers don't prevent rain from falling, but they sure improve line of
sight ... but I'll bet you never use them *while* it's raining.

I wish you were worth my time, but do me a favor, act like an idiot one more
time, there are people here who claim it's impossible to make an idiot spew
drivel like a puppet on a string.

| > And just so you don't feel slighted about the stuff that was snipped away,
it
| > all appears below.
|
| I already know what I wrote.
|
Good, just remember to blink occasionally.

--
CWC
============================
It's not that nice guys finish last,
They have a whole different notion
where the finish line is.
============================

|
| >
| > | > Are you back pedalling?
| > |
| > | Not at all!
| > | I'm addressing each and very issue, while YOU snip my posts, and refuse
| > | to account for what you say, that I have proved you wrong at!!
| > |
| > Each AND *very* ... *BOTH*. Refuse to *Account*??? What about wiping rain
off a
| > dish requires an accounting? Refuse to account? Proved me wrong at? Snipped
your
| > posts? What the hell are you talking about? Do you have a point?
|
|
| Yes, that yer a complete and utter fool.
|
| >
| > | It's NOT POSSIBLE to clear the rain off a dish while it is still
| > | raining!
| > |
| > And yet (most) anybody can do it easily.
|
| The existing rain that somehow sticks to your dish, maybe, only to be
| IMMEDIATELY replaced with more rain!
|
| What? is yer dish pointed straight up?
|
|
| >
| > | Yet, you say that you do that with a wet paper towel that you keep
| > | outside!
| > |
| > Zo zimple eh?
|
| Impossible.
|
| >
| > | > Please don't bother to respond,
| > |
| > | Oh, but I must!
| > | People have to know just how moronic you truly are!
| > |
| > So let's recap:
| > You say it's the rain in the signal path that causes losses,
|
| Correct.
|
|
| > I say the dish is in the signal path, and actually concentrates easily
removed
| > raindrops directly in the signal path.
|
| That's why yer insane.
|
| > You say removing raindrops from the dish will make no difference,
|
| While it's still raining, of course!
| It's counter productive.
|
| > I say it makes a very measurable difference.
|
| I say you hallucinate a lot!
|
| > You say that you've spent 6 years in a deadend job.
|
| Five to six hundred bucks a day is a dead end job?
| Hmm. Must be why I'm retired, and all the homes and cars and bikes are
| fully owned by me after paying cash.
|
|
| > I say I'm not suprised.
|
| Well, not everyone can have the glory of flipping burgers like you.
|
| > You think insulting potential customers makes you appear smarter.
|
| Yer not a customer, yer a moron that doesn't know what yer talking
| about.
|
| > Given your apparent IQ, I think insulting potential customers may be your
only
| > chance at appearing smarter.
|
| I haven't insulted any "potential customer", and I never tell lies or
| give bad advice, like you do.
|
|
| > You say you must respond to show how moronic I truly am,
|
| That is true, and I proved it!
|
|
| > I say I must respond since I'm enjoying watching you show how moronic you
aspire
| > to be
|
| Yet, yer the only person trying to remove rain with a soaking wet dish
| WHILE it's raining, and claims to get "several db's" of added gain!
|
| BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!
|
|
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

"CWCunningham" <charlesw-at-blackfoot.net> wrote:


> And just so you don't feel slighted about the stuff that was snipped away,
> it all appears below.
>

Mind if I interrupt your pissing match with a question? Have you thought of
applying a wax or other water repellant to the dish to make the water run
off? Maybe RainX?

As for the question whether rain on the dish affects signal strength and
whether wax etc. helps, just perform a simple experiment:

1. On a clear day, read signal strength
2. Spray dish with water
3. Read signal strength with wet dish
4. Allow dish to dry
5. Apply RainX and let dry
6. Spray dish with water
7. Read signal strength

Frankly, I don't think enough moisture could accumulate on the dish to
attenuate the signal measurably if measuring using the signal strength
meter, but I haven't done the experiment.
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

"10Squared" <jm@10squaredcorp.com> wrote in message
news:mkNLc.6443$yF.2454@bignews2.bellsouth.net...
| Mind if I interrupt your pissing match with a question? Have you thought of
| applying a wax or other water repellant to the dish to make the water run
| off? Maybe RainX?
|
I had seriously considered RainX, but I'll never know if it would have worked
since we dropped our subscription last month. I just removed the last of those
little dishes yesterday to make room for another 10' dish. Now snow will be the
only issue.

--
CWC
============================
It's not that nice guys finish last,
They have a whole different notion
where the finish line is.
============================
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

10Squared wrote:
>
> "CWCunningham" <charlesw-at-blackfoot.net> wrote:
>
> > And just so you don't feel slighted about the stuff that was snipped away,
> > it all appears below.
> >
>
> Mind if I interrupt your pissing match with a question? Have you thought of
> applying a wax or other water repellant to the dish to make the water run
> off? Maybe RainX?
>
> As for the question whether rain on the dish affects signal strength and
> whether wax etc. helps, just perform a simple experiment:

The accumulation of water on these dishes will NOT do a damned thing
regarding reception.
Also, anything that would make the dish "shiny" is not really a good
thing, as that will reflect more unwanted heat into the LNB's.
 
Archived from groups: alt.satellite.tv (More info?)

KF/AKA AH#49 wrote:

> 10Squared wrote:
>>
>> "CWCunningham" <charlesw-at-blackfoot.net> wrote:
>>
>> > And just so you don't feel slighted about the stuff that was snipped
>> > away, it all appears below.
>> >
>>
>> Mind if I interrupt your pissing match with a question? Have you thought
>> of applying a wax or other water repellant to the dish to make the water
>> run off? Maybe RainX?
>>
>> As for the question whether rain on the dish affects signal strength and
>> whether wax etc. helps, just perform a simple experiment:
>
> The accumulation of water on these dishes will NOT do a damned thing
> regarding reception.
> Also, anything that would make the dish "shiny" is not really a good
> thing, as that will reflect more unwanted heat into the LNB's.

Well, looks like you win. I happened to have the ladder set up by my dish so
I went out and sprayed it with water. Here are the results:

Dry (before): Range 91-95, peak at 95
Wet: Range 90-96, peak at 96
Dry (after): Range 92-100, peak at 100

So, no real measurable difference wet or dry, fluctuations are around the
same approximate point and there is certainly no multi-dB loss due to
moisture.

Interesting point re making the dish shiny, although the paint on mine is so
flat from weathering I don't thing RainX could have made it shiny, just
less likely to wet.
 
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