Lots of Dish Dead!

[peaked]

Looks like you guys have all the angles covered on this one. I might add that in my training, they told us that the Sun's rays reflected off of the solar panels of the sat. and caused electrostatic interference to the outgoing or incoming signals. Hard to prove, but it sounds possible. Twice a year, in the Spring and Fall.

 

[sam_gordon]

Sunfade, as mentioned, happens twice a year, and is when the sun is directly behind the satellite (as viewed from the receiving dish). The time and day of the occurrence will vary based on where the receive dish is on the earth's surface, and what satellite is being looked at. Also, for a given sat/dish, the sun fade will happen about the same time of day for a couple days, you won't have sun fade one day, then nothing for a week, then sun fade again (at least not while looking at the same satellite).

And regarding the sun reflecting off the solar panels... isn't that what's SUPPOSED to happen?

 

[whatchel1]

yep

And regarding the sun reflecting off the solar panels... isn't that what's SUPPOSED to happen?

That's produces electricity to power the sat.

 

[Bobby]

That's produces electricity to power the sat.

I think that is what he was trying to say in a subtle way.