Directv in snow country

Considering Directv in my second home in Deer Valley Utah, have had for years at my primary home. Concerned about reception during storms and snow/ice buildup affecting it. Seems in Santa Barbara that I have less incidence than I used to with heavy rainstorms but still occassionally get disruptions. I assume snowfall would be worse. They claim of course it's not an issue but I really do wonder. I should be able to get it mounted where snow accumulation on the roof doesn't affect it but in the coldest months snow and ice freezing to it is a concern. What have you all experienced with snow, especially in higher elevation locations?

Jeff

 

Disclaimer: The following is based on looking at other installs, not direct experience;

It seems the guys around Lake Tahoe cover their dishes in big 'ol trash bags - Tied down on the mast seems to prevent (reduce?) snow/ice build up. There's enough of 'em doing it that I'm guessing it must work.....

Does look like **** on occasion though.....

As always, ymmv,

Cheers,
Ian

 

Huh? Interesting. Clear or Black? Supposedly the new dishes have a special surface that sheds snow. Anyone else have personal knowledge?

Jeff

 

Personal experience during the huge storm this last winter in PA. Lost signal after a few hours of snow. Had to trudge out to clean the dish off. Worked fine after I did that. Able to keep sane watching tv for the two days I was snowed in. Never lost the signal like that before in the 8 plus years I've had service.

 

Personal experience during the huge storm this last winter in PA. Lost signal after a few hours of snow. Had to trudge out to clean the dish off. Worked fine after I did that. Able to keep sane watching tv for the two days I was snowed in. Never lost the signal like that before in the 8 plus years I've had service.

 

Black ones! [The signal will pass thru' that no problem.] Although, if you could find clear ones big enough they may look a little better.

In my (somewhat limited) experience up there, there's *nothing* that (successfully) sheds snow for very long!..... Although, we're dealing with Tahoe cement rather than the dust you guys typically get up there. [Yep, I'm jealous ]

Having said that, IIRC someone now makes what looks like a big ol' "heating element" that can be mounted on the dish (?) - That may do the trick? Plus, it doesn't look like a, well, satellite dish with a condom on!

Cheers,
Ian

 

Noticed something interesting at my parents during a rain storm. Lost connection on the living room tv (52" lcd sony flat panel), yet the signal in my dad's office on the 27" CRT sony never did.

 

This is what you need. http://www.satpro.tv/slimlinehotshotdishheater.aspx

 

Great, thanks. Surprised directv doesn't sell those.

 

That's odd. I've had that happen before, but each receiver was connected to its own dish. I assume that both of the tvs at your parents' house are connected to the same dish?

 

You know I'll have to check. They only have one dish that I'm aware of. But have a box for all the tv's, except the one in the bathroom which is connected to the tv in the bedroom I stay in. And the office tv could be connected to the living room box. I'm going to have to figure it out next time I'm there.