satellite tv signals?

Question

Most companies now offer satellite tv connections. Very often i have heard that the images are DVD quality clear.
But is it true that when its very overcast/cloudy the connection stops?

Whats the reason for this?
(ofcourse i know that it might be because signals emitted from the satellite cant force its way through the thick layer of clouds- but i need a more scientific answer)

the connection doesnt stop but only becomes unclear, i guess.
I need precise reasons for this.

thanks

Answer 1

Normal clouds won't interfere with a TV broadcast satellite signal. I have a satellite receiver system in my home, and the only 2 things that have caused problems are: *severe* thunderstorms directly in the line-of-sight between my parabolic dish antenna and the satellite in orbit, and a few inches of snow stuck to the parabolic dish (which i wiped off with a broom). A major snow storm in the line-of-sight also caused 'snow' on my TV (blocking reception).

Trees will also block the signal, but my dish is placed where there is a clear line-of-site to the satellite.

Normal rain showers and plain cumulus clouds will not affect the signal.

The reason for large storms and snow to block the signal, is that the molecules of water and snow can absorb the RF energy from the satellite. The energy levels are very low to begin-with by the time they reach the receiver dish, so it doesn't take too many water molecules of raindrop-size, or snowflakes to absorb the energy.
.

Answer 2

Old style TV satellite used to get "sparkle" effects when the signal faded by storm absorption, suffered from other interference sources and rarely had picture free of measureable noise. Most satellite services now are DVB which is a digital system, thus the quality of the received picture is always "perfect" until the signal completely fades. I work for a broadcast radio network that uses satellite to distribute program audio. Our system is DVB and is noise free "CD quality" except for occassional storm loss. Storm loss from rain usualy does not last more than 15 minutes, not a normal rain but an absoulute cloud burst is required. Snow buildup on the dish also can cause an outage, but the new off-set feed dishes are very resistant to snow accumulation since they are almost vertical at mid lattitudes.

Answer 3

Well u got the right person . I worked on the ATS project and was the test conductor on a lot of the experiments. Clouds and mist doesn't bother it very much although in Goldstone we had a snow Storm with lots of wind . It blocked out even the 4 GHZ signal but this is not normal. Try to think of it this way. If u can only take a step of half the remaining distance will u ever get there. Measurements of RF signals ,it may drop in level quite a bit but not make it where u can not watch it. The power level is measured on a log curve ,so it can go from very large to very small and affect the TV display that much.

Answer 4

Clouds do not interfere with satellite signals. I have been a subscriber for over 20 years and the only problem that I have ever encountered was that snow buildup on the receiver dish will cause loss of signal.

Answer 5

Not an expert on this but I don't think that it being overcast usually effects the signal. It could possibly due to lightning, but I don't think major problems occur very often.

Answer 6

Rain can absorb the signal....I live in california and somewhere I read that they install larger dishes back east where there are heavy rains. (the larger dish delivers a stronger signal to your box).

It's the same thing that happens to radar, when there's fog or rain it was hard for us to see other ships when we were at sea.