Satellite Dishes and Snow

[garski]

 I just went out and got one of those extension poles for taking light bulbs out in a high ceiling, wrapped a rag around the end and then just wiped off the dish when needed from the ground.

[ChrisLynnet]

That's a good idea. I have the same problem as ForestGal and my dish is inaccessible from a window. I keep swearing to call DirecTV and have them just move the thing, but I don't know if they'll try to charge me. I'll let you know what I find out.

[RennMan]

We have Dish Network, and the dish itself is on the corner of the roof.  Fortunately it's only one story up, and I can reach it from the deck.

We purchased a cover for the dish and receiver arm (properly called the feedhorn and Low Noise Block Converter, or LBNF).  It does keep most of the snow off of the dish itself, but then snow sometimes builds up on the cover, and I have to sweep it off.

I bought a three section extendable paint pole, and a large ball-shaped cobweb duster (sometimes sold as a Webster) and screwed the duster onto the pole.  I usually have to sweep the snow from the cover once or twice per storm, if the snow is wet and heavy.

Hope this helps!

Peace

[Elk]

I tried using the extension device but due to location of my dish it did not work out.

I started using a hose with a high pressure nozel to just "wash" the snow off. This would create some ice though if your dish is near a walkway or other high traffic area.

Be sure to drain the hose and  most importantly... BE CAREFUL.

[angelwolf326]

I sprayed my dish with Pam heavily before the storm but this snow was so wet it did not help.  I had to go out with my home made snow remover (two old broom handles duct taped together with a brush duct taped to the end) every few hours....  Annoying to say the least...

[Surfer_Dude]

One solution;
http://store.satellitemart.com/Hot-Shot-reg-Retrofit-Dish-Heater_p_213.html

For the extravagant, ultra techies:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/bfgicex.php

[Nolena]

"For the extravagant, ultra techies:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/bfgicex.php"

Wow! With that one, you can watch tv and fly your dish in any kind of weather! 

[lagomorphmom]

I sprayed my dish with Pam heavily before the storm but this snow was so wet it did not help. ...

A teflon spray would be better if you do this again as oil-based sprays will only gel and/or get sticky as the weather gets colder.

[Toolman]

One solution;
http://store.satellitemart.com/Hot-Shot-reg-Retrofit-Dish-Heater_p_213.html

For the extravagant, ultra techies:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/bfgicex.php

 I use to love wondering through Aircraft Spruce when they were local. But they moved to into a larger facility to far for the weekend wonder fun. That de-ice stuff works ok on rubber because it's absorbed and won't penetrate an aluminum dish and roll off onto the ground.

 If you realllly want to get high tech, go to Omega and get a Kapton adhesive heater.  http://www.omega.com/pptst/KHR_KHLV_KH.html

So many sizes and wattages to choose from and the Kapton tape works in extreme temperature invironments. We use these heaters in Ultra high thermal vacuum cycling tests and they have never failed. They are extremely flexable for cylindrical or asymmetrical use. So you could leave it attached year round as the summer heat and sun will never get hot enough to lose grip, nor will it ever get cold enough to lose grip. We wire them to a 110 volt variac fed from outside the vacuum chamber.

 

[Toolman]

One thing I forgot to mention is, you can also use a Kapton adhesive thermal couple ( or several )attached to the opposite side of the heater to monitor the temperature of the dish.

 This is how we monitor the test speciman and can adjust temperature via the Variac from outside the chamber.

                                                                                                                   

[Leftfield]

Am I the only one waiting for FIOS to show up?  I ll bet if we get a lot of us together on this and make some serious noise, it will show up a lot sooner. 

[Wrightwood]

I wouldn't count on Verizon running fiber to every household in Wrightwood any time soon.

[Mrs. Hillbilly]

Post your address and I'll be by to take care of your dish, and your berm! 

[ChrisLynnet]

*sputter* O.K., that's hilarious!

[lagomorphmom]

Am I the only one waiting for FIOS to show up?  I ll bet if we get a lot of us together on this and make some serious noise, it will show up a lot sooner. 

I know of several people that have tried AT&T FIOS and not only did they not like it, they left the service. I don't think that technology is ready for prime time, yet.

[Chesslike]

I know of several people that have tried AT&T FIOS and not only did they not like it, they left the service. I don't think that technology is ready for prime time, yet.

They should be unhappy as AT&T has no right to be providing "Verizon FIOS". 

[lagomorphmom]

I know of several people that have tried AT&T FIOS ....

My bad. Make that AT&T fiBER oPTICAL sERVICE tm.

[rdnckgrl78]

My mom has Verizon FIOS and absolutly HATES it! She is counting the days till she can switch back to DirectTv.

[Mrs. Hillbilly]

People need to quit getting so darn techy when it comes to something so simple.  Just place a small gnome next to your dish!

[tach18k]

It is not so much the snow on the dish, as it is the snow in the air. Snow in the air and also large rain falls, which does not have to be in your neighborhood, wil act like a tree and block the signal.