Size of Satellite TV Dish -v- Radio

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the size differences between satellite TV dishes and satellite radio antennas, exploring the underlying reasons for these differences in terms of signal strength, data transmission, and bandwidth requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why satellite TV dishes are larger than those for satellite radio, expressing a preference for smaller units.
  • Another participant explains that larger dishes collect more signal strength, similar to how larger binoculars gather more light, and notes that radio transmits less data than TV, allowing for weaker signals.
  • A participant appreciates the analogy of binoculars for understanding the difference in data transmission between radio and TV.
  • Another participant mentions the existence of much larger satellite dishes, referred to as Big Ugly Dishes (BUDs), to emphasize the relative size of standard satellite dishes.
  • One participant introduces the concept of bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio, explaining that wider bandwidth signals require larger dishes to minimize noise interference, particularly in the context of older analogue systems compared to modern digital systems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the factors influencing dish size, such as signal strength and bandwidth, but there are nuances in their explanations and comparisons that remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to both older analogue and modern digital systems, indicating that the performance characteristics may vary based on technology, but specific limitations and assumptions are not fully explored.

SophiePotts
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Hi there... I have a question regarding satellite. If I am posting in the wrong place, I'm very sorry (in advance :blushing:) Here's my question. Why is a satellite dish for TV (think Dish Network) so much bigger than one for satellite radio?

Sure would be more attractive to have a teeny unit on top of a home than the big dish. I found this thread https://www.physicsforums.com/archive/index.php/t-125286.html but it didn't really answer the question.
 
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Simply signal strength. It's just like big binoculars collect more light than small binoculars.
Radio sends less data than TV so you can don't need to grab as much data/sec so you can use a weaker signal (and more error correction) assuming the same broadcast power
 
mgb_phys said:
Simply signal strength. It's just like big binoculars collect more light than small binoculars.
Radio sends less data than TV so you can don't need to grab as much data/sec so you can use a weaker signal (and more error correction) assuming the same broadcast power

Thank you, thank you. The analogy of the binoculars helped a lot (I actually thought radio sent more data not less). Many thanks to you!
Sophie
 
If you think Dish or DirecTV antennas are big, you must never have used or lived next to someone who used a Big Ugly Dish (BUD). :biggrin:
 
jtbell said:
If you think Dish or DirecTV antennas are big, you must never have used or lived next to someone who used a Big Ugly Dish (BUD). :biggrin:

Wow! No doubt... can you imagine? :eek:
 
There is also the factor of bandwidth and the required signal to noise ratio. If your TV requires a bandwidth of something like 27MHz then the receiver will let in a lot more noise than a narrow band channel for radio.
This is an over simplification because I'm comparing the performance of the 'old' analogue FM broadcast TV system, used in Satellite TV with the modern digital radio systems, but the message is basically that if you want to receive wide bandwidth signals, you need a wider RF bandwidth for your receiver which will let in more noise as well, which leads to the requirement for more powerful transmitter or a bigger receiving dish.
Modern digital signals have changed the limits but the same basic principal will always apply.
 

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