Satellite Television; Satellite Signal Quality - Dish Network 512 User Manual

Chapter 1
Introduction

Satellite Television

Satellite Signal Quality

Tip: If you lose
Rain and Snow Fade
your picture, it's
most likely due
to heavy rain,
snow, or the
build-up of snow
on your dish.
Solar Interference
Page 18
Satellite television uses satellites in a stationary orbit over the Earth to
deliver television and audio programming. This type of orbit enables the
satellites to stay aligned over one place on the surface of the Earth. Once the
satellite dish is aimed at the satellite, the dish does not have to move.
Heavy rain, snow, or cloud cover can block the satellite signal, which can
interrupt your programming service. By aiming the satellite dish to get the
strongest signal during installation, you can help prevent rain and snow
from interrupting the signal. Your service will return after the weather
condition has passed.
Twice a year, the sun moves to a position behind the DISH Network satellite
as it orbits the Earth. The exact time of the year that this occurs varies,
depending on the location, but it is near the beginning of spring and again
near the beginning of autumn. The period of solar interference lasts for a
few minutes at about the same time everyday for a few days during the
spring and autumn, so do not be alarmed when it happens.
This is an unavoidable natural event for all television involving the use of
satellites and has an adverse effect on many program providers. During
these brief periods, you will not be able to see programs on DISH Network.
Once the sun has moved from behind the satellite, the programs will
reappear.