Satellite signal blocked by tree?
Leaves can easily block the extremely weak signal from a satellite 24,000 miles away in space. Wet leaves are even worse. If you have this problem there are only two solutions:-
1. Move the dish further back away from the tree, or higher or sideways or mount it at the other side of the tree (maybe on its trunk).
2. Fell the tree, pollard the tree or remove the leaves which are directly in the signal path.
The latter isn't easy but may be the only solution. For a 50 cm dish, you would have to clear a hole at least 60 cm in diameter. To do this, you'll need a metal disc (or a disc of cardboard covered with foil) and a volunteer "monkey" to climb the tree with it held above his head (in winter when you have at least a little signal). When the disc blocks the signal completely, that's the place to start removing leaves and twigs. This might have to be repeated each year.
Q. "Will a larger dish solve the problem?"
A. Unlikely but you could try it if your signal loss is only very slight. It might alleviate the problem slightly.
Q. "Why does the tree affect some channels but not others?"
A. The leaves and branches form a "diffraction grating". Mathematically, the effect is extremely complex but you can look up this term to gain a partial understanding.
Q. My neighbour's tree is blocking my satellite T.V. signal. Can I make him cut the tree?
A. No. Paying for a television licence only entitles you to possess and use a receiver, that is, the television box itself. You have no right to an analogue or digital television signal or radio signal that passes over a neighbour's property. Your only remedy is to ask your neighbour if you may get a professional arboricultural consultant to make a hole or gap as depicted in our picture, above. Feel free to print out this page and show it to your neighbour.
For more info. click HERE and HERE.
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