For those who use automatic antenna pointing systems for VAST reception, do your systems pick up signals during rain storms? I am trying to determine if an automatic roof mounted systems is worth the $2500+ to buy.
JeffRae said
05:37 PM Dec 7, 2021
Never tried it in a rainstorm, but trees are still a problem (Satking)
valantine80 said
06:12 PM Dec 7, 2021
We were recently at Imbil west of Gympie during extremely heavy rainfall and lost reception. Earlier this year we were just east of Karijini National Park and also lost reception during light rain. These are the only times we've had problems. We also have SatKing
Rob Driver said
09:16 PM Dec 7, 2021
Wether you set the dish manually or use an auto find unit, you may still experience loss or poor reception during an electrical storm.
When I first got my roof mounted auto I was actually surprised how well it received signal even around trees.
The manual set up gives you more flexibility but there is nothing better than have the dish find and lock onto the correct signal while you are getting a beer out of the fridge. If I were to go Vast or a paid satellite tv service again I would go the auto roof mount unit if for nothing else except for the ease of set up.
Some blokes like mucking around with things, I am not that patient these days.
-- Edited by Rob Driver on Tuesday 7th of December 2021 09:16:51 PM
yobarr said
10:34 PM Dec 7, 2021
Derek Barnes wrote:
For those who use automatic antenna pointing systems for VAST reception, do your systems pick up signals during rain storms? I am trying to determine if an automatic roof mounted systems is worth the $2500+ to buy.
Just do it! Like others,I have a Satking,and have had no problems except when I first bought it and parked in a state forest. Trees were 80 ft tall all around,and nothing happened.As long as you're a little sensible,you'll have no problems.Some places I've parked I was expecting no signal,but still we had TV.As Rob says,open the van door,press the "Go" button,and by the time you've got a beer the Sat TV is showing the (real) footy.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 7th of December 2021 10:34:49 PM
PeterD said
07:43 AM Dec 8, 2021
valantine80 wrote:
We were recently at Imbil west of Gympie during extremely heavy rainfall and lost reception. Earlier this year we were just east of Karijini National Park and also lost reception during light rain. These are the only times we've had problems. We also have SatKing
In the East Coast states the reception at its best. You will only lose your reception in the heaviest of rain. The signal is a bit weaker over the west, particularly up in the northern regions. You can expect to lose reception in moderate rail if you have one of the smaller size dishes. The saving grace is that there is very little rain when we are up there in winter.
valantine80 said
09:55 PM Dec 8, 2021
Forgot to mention that our SatKing is the rectangular receiver due to limited space on the motorhome roof.
Dhutime said
11:15 PM Dec 16, 2021
Had our auto sat for 10 years and can count on one hand the amount of times that rain has interrupted reception. Its really not an issue as the rain soon passes . Like Yobarr just do it you wont be disappointed.
-- Edited by Dhutime on Thursday 16th of December 2021 11:15:39 PM
Derek Barnes said
07:41 AM Dec 17, 2021
What happens to the satellite dish when the wind blows like a gale. Does the dish automatically close down or do you manually have to close it down?
travelyounger said
08:21 AM Dec 17, 2021
Derek Barnes wrote:
For those who use automatic antenna pointing systems for VAST reception, do your systems pick up signals during rain storms? I am trying to determine if an automatic roof mounted systems is worth the $2500+ to buy.
Hi
Sometimes during rainstorms usually heavy ones you will lose the signal it could be lightning as most times it as happened to us in remote areas with no tv signal.
Cheers
travelyounger said
08:31 AM Dec 17, 2021
travelyounger wrote:
Derek Barnes wrote:
For those who use automatic antenna pointing systems for VAST reception, do your systems pick up signals during rain storms? I am trying to determine if an automatic roof mounted systems is worth the $2500+ to buy.
Hi
Sometimes during rainstorms usually heavy ones you will lose the signal it could be lightning as most times it as happened to us in remote areas with no tv signal.
Cheers
Sorry forgot to add its worth it I have been carrying the portable one for years trying to find room for it the car all the time then got to set it up do some swearing to find the signal then reset it when somebody touches it then pack it up and hopefully it goes into the same space even it was 10000 it would be worth it just pay the top dollar for your system and you wont be sorry
Cheers
Bush walker said
12:08 PM Dec 17, 2021
I have a manual system, it normally works OK when it is stormy except in areas where the trees are reducing the signal strength
yobarr said
08:58 PM Dec 17, 2021
Derek Barnes wrote:
What happens to the satellite dish when the wind blows like a gale. Does the dish automatically close down or do you manually have to close it down?
Presumably,Derek,it would automatically close down,assuming that the power supply was left on at the internal controller.IF you drive away one morning without closing down the unit,as soon as your road speed is 5km or more,the system automatically shuts down the aerial.Mine is the square model,but I don't leave the power on once I've set it all up,as the blue glow from the screen is distracting at night.I've been in some heavy winds with it,but it hasn't blown away yet! Next time it is really windy,I may turn the power on and see what happens.Cheers
valantine80 said
10:05 PM Dec 17, 2021
We have the Sat King Promax rectangular dish. This year we have been at Cape Range National Park on the Ningaloo Coast where it was extremely windy. We experienced no problems with reception and left the dish up all the time.
Wether you set the dish manually or use an auto find unit, you may still experience loss or poor reception during an electrical storm.
When I first got my roof mounted auto I was actually surprised how well it received signal even around trees.
The manual set up gives you more flexibility but there is nothing better than have the dish find and lock onto the correct signal while you are getting a beer out of the fridge.
If I were to go Vast or a paid satellite tv service again I would go the auto roof mount unit if for nothing else except for the ease of set up.
Some blokes like mucking around with things, I am not that patient these days.
-- Edited by Rob Driver on Tuesday 7th of December 2021 09:16:51 PM
Just do it! Like others,I have a Satking,and have had no problems except when I first bought it and parked in a state forest. Trees were 80 ft tall all around,and nothing happened.As long as you're a little sensible,you'll have no problems.Some places I've parked I was expecting no signal,but still we had TV.As Rob says,open the van door,press the "Go" button,and by the time you've got a beer the Sat TV is showing the (real) footy.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 7th of December 2021 10:34:49 PM
In the East Coast states the reception at its best. You will only lose your reception in the heaviest of rain. The signal is a bit weaker over the west, particularly up in the northern regions. You can expect to lose reception in moderate rail if you have one of the smaller size dishes. The saving grace is that there is very little rain when we are up there in winter.
Had our auto sat for 10 years and can count on one hand the amount of times that rain has interrupted reception. Its really not an issue as the rain soon passes . Like Yobarr just do it you wont be disappointed.
-- Edited by Dhutime on Thursday 16th of December 2021 11:15:39 PM
What happens to the satellite dish when the wind blows like a gale. Does the dish automatically close down or do you manually have to close it down?
Hi
Sometimes during rainstorms usually heavy ones you will lose the signal it could be lightning as most times it as happened to us in remote areas with no tv signal.
Cheers
I have a manual system, it normally works OK when it is stormy except in areas where the trees are reducing the signal strength
Presumably,Derek,it would automatically close down,assuming that the power supply was left on at the internal controller.IF you drive away one morning without closing down the unit,as soon as your road speed is 5km or more,the system automatically shuts down the aerial.Mine is the square model,but I don't leave the power on once I've set it all up,as the blue glow from the screen is distracting at night.I've been in some heavy winds with it,but it hasn't blown away yet! Next time it is really windy,I may turn the power on and see what happens.Cheers