Weathering Satellite TV Weather Interruptions

By Craig Friesen HIPhome Columnist December 31, 1969

The Supertramp song lyrics "It's raining again..." pretty much sums up the conditions outside.  Luckily you are snuggled up inside, watching a pay per view movie rented from your satellite TV provider.  Just as things are getting interesting the rain really picks up outside and your screen turns to snow.  The movie is paid for but you are going to miss the ending.  Is this really "par for the course" with satellite TV?

What Causes Satellite TV Interruptions?

Taking into consideration the vulnerability of satellite transmission waves and the amazing distances they cover, the number of service interruptions is surprisingly low.  Several weather related situations can cause satellite TV reception to experience decreased quality or service interruption altogether.  Among the most common include rain, snow, and solar flares.  Heavy rain will bring about a condition called "rain fade" and depending on the severity of the downpour, service can become snowy or can be completely obscured.  Snow and ice accumulations on or around the satellite receiver itself can produce an increasingly fuzzy picture.  Solar flares are predominantly a seasonal problem and produce a picture that appears increasingly pixilated and eventually breaks up altogether.  These weather interruptions are unavoidable and are not a reflection of the quality of your satellite TV provider.  Instead they can have more to do with the quality of the satellite TV installation and maintenance.

What Can I do to Avoid Weather Related Satellite TV Interruptions?

Avoidance of weather related interruptions of your satellite TV service provider's signal begins with proper installation.  While it is indeed possible to accomplish the task of installing a satellite TV receiver, it is advisable to have a professional handle your satellite TV installation.  Positioning is of utmost importance for experiencing the best reception in all conditions.  Most satellite TV installation experts use a global positioning device to ensure that the receiver is pointed directly at the sending satellite.  The closer the positioning of the receiver, the more dependable your service will be.  The use of double screened coaxial cable will also help to minimize the loss of signal from receiver.  In addition to proper installation, maintenance will improve your enjoyment.  Maintenance includes keeping the receiver free from ice, snow, and debris.  Removing snow and debris includes keeping the surrounding area clear.  It is important when doing any maintenance to avoid shifting the position of the dish.

While there is nothing that can be done to avoid interruption from solar flares, they are a relatively uncommon problem.  If you give your satellite TV system the benefits of good installation and maintenance you are sure to enjoy it immensely.

About the Author
Craig Friesen is a freelance writer and an ordained Mennonite minister in rural Saskatchewan, Canada. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from University of Manitoba and a Master of Divinity degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana. A computer hobbyist, Craig operates several home-based online businesses in his leisure time.


*Before you apply any of the advice described on the Hip-home.com website, you should consider if the advice is safe and suitable for your individual home situation and consult experts as necessary to evaluate the suitability for your circumstances.