Do you protect your satellite dish from snow?

[RedDirt]

Having endured slow dial-up for over ten years I bit the bullet and upgraded to a satellite connection last summer. Now when it snows I loose my connection. I spray off the dish with a water hose if I need to hook up before it melts off (I telecommute).

Has anyone rigged some type of snow protection for their dish? My thoughts are a permanent sprinkler, electric heat tape (the type used for keeping pipes from freezing), or a roof/umbrella assembly. My dish is mounted on a gable roof eave.

 

[hwp]

I don't do anything to protect my satellite dishes - I have two - one with two LNBs for 110W and 119W and the other is a single for 92W. I haven't had any problems with snow intereference after several years of operation and we get a lot of snow.

 

[DreaminGreen]

No protection, a quick swoosh with a long handled broom and we are good to go. The heat tape sounds interesting just make sure its on the back of the dish, so it does not interfere with the satellite reception. Dial up is cheap, but it is slooowww how is the speed on the internet connection with a dish?

 

[WayneB]

what is your normal dish signal strength? Snow will effect it, but seems like you might be getting a marginal signal??

 

[ragkar]

What system are you using? There are over two thousand posts on this topic here
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.dbs.echostar/topics
using the search keyword 'snow'

 

[WVBill]

I don't have any problem with the snow on my TV satellite receiver dish but snow on my hughesnet dish wipes out my internet connection.

I took a snow brush made for cars and taped it to the end of an 8 foot pole and brushed the snow off.

I'm thinking about the heat tape on the back of the dish idea...

WVBill

 

[JazzDad]

I deal with it by living in Texas!

I didn't go to that thread, but has anyone tried spraying the dish with silicone?

 

[MossRoad]

The reason people up north that get more snowfall, yet have fewer snow accumulating on the dish related problems is that the satellites are over the equator. The farther south you go, the more your dish has to point up, thus creating more of a "bird bath" bowl for snow to accumulate in. The farther north you go, the more you angle your dish down and the snow is more likely to slip off on its own.

They make dish heaters that work very well. I would look into one of those if I was forced to mount my dish in an unaccessible location.

I installed mine in an easy to reach location because we get wet, heavy snow. I can reach it with a regular broom and have to sweep it off a couple/three times a year.

 

[jmfox]

I've had a satellite dish here in western new york for 20 years and have never had to remove snow from it.

jmf

 

[Jimbrown]

[DW7000] Snow on the feedhorn - dslreports.com=

 

[ToadHill]

When I had mine installed I had them locate it right nest to the upstairs bedroom window. When it gets snow on it, I just open the window and brush it off. I've had the dish for just over 1 year and had to brush it off only twice, both times it was a very wet sticky snow.

 

[turnkey4099]

I can figure on a trip out to clean it several times a year here in SE WA. Unfortunately, it is oriented almost directly into the prevailing wind so in snow falls, it tends to blow right on it. Any sticky snow and breeze I know I will be out cleaning it a couple times until the snow stops.

I did build an roof with sides (sorry, no pics, didn't have a camerat at the time) open toward the signal. Roof stuck out and up at an angle. Worked fairly well as long as there wasn't a stiff breeze blowing. But then I upped the system to get the local broadcast signals wihich are on a different satellite. Had to destroy most of the shed to get that signal.

Harry K

 

[Diesel-ME]

I leave a ladder set up all winter by the dish (back of the house). The idiot from DirecTech that installed it put it right on an inside corner and icicles are constantly forming to firmly connect the valley of my roof with the dish

DirecTv will move it for me now that I know how stupid it was that they installed it there, but not unless I want to part with $49 (or is it $75).

In any case, ya, I get snow and ice issues - but it's easy to clean - you just risk getting it out of alignment - a big issue if you have HD and need to hit three different satellites. (not sure if this is also an issue with Dish Network)

~paul

 

[CurlyDave]

My thoughts are a permanent sprinkler, electric heat tape (the type used for keeping pipes from freezing), or a roof/umbrella assembly. My dish is mounted on a gable roof eave.

I can just barely reach mine with the spray from a hose. It takes a few minutes to clear it and then all is well again.

I would vote for a sprinkler, but instead of heating it, set it up so you can drain the pipe after you use it.

Dave

 

[ray66v]

There are heaters designed for Directv sized dishes available on the internet. I have not bought a dish lately so I cannot recall the details, but I believe they are reasonably priced. I am sure if you Google for them you can find them.

 

[DavidVT]

I just did a Google search...

Anyone try this idea? Sounds interesting:

Satellite Dish Cover by DSCover Picture Problems Again?

or this one:

Satellite Dish Covers

just try google: satellite dish covers
results like 10 pages or so...

 

[MossRoad]

Just google "satellite dish heater" and pick one. Install it. Never have problems again.

 

[DreaminGreen]

anybody here remember the days before Google and the internet, satellite dishes and Microwave popcorn. Dang...life was boring

 

[firedog]

anybody here remember the days before Google and the internet, satellite dishes and Microwave popcorn. Dang...life was boring

Yes, yes, yes & yes..............

Still have the color TV antenna mounted on a 40' pole (no cable and to cheap for satellite)
Dial up is slow, but so am I.
Ran across some jiffy pop style popcorn last year.......burnt the crap out of that stuff.

 

[MossRoad]

anybody here remember the days before Google and the internet, satellite dishes and Microwave popcorn. Dang...life was boring

Yes. I had to go outside and play until I was tired, then go to bed.