April Fool's Satellite Reception Improvement

Anyone who receives satellite programming from a digital, small-dish system knows that twice a year, reception degrades because the satellite reception is blocked by the sun. This Instructable offers a simple solution!

The satellite dish companies make a trade-off: they paint the surface of the dishes with a thick, durable coating to prevent them from rusting. However, that also insulates electricity and it attenuates the signal from the satellite a little as well as blurring the focus of it onto the receiving antenna. Most of the time this is not a problem. But when the sun passes right behind the satellite, its electromagnetic energy output overwhelms the already weakened signal.

The solution, therefore, is to apply a coating that is free of an insulating barrier and offers nice sharp focus of the electromagnetic energy rays onto the receiving antenna. But what to use?

Simple aluminum foil! It conducts electricity and its shiny surface helps focus the the energy much better.

Step 1: Materials

All you'll need is aluminum foil (shiny) and spray adhesive.

Step 2: Spray and Wrap

All that needs to be done is to spray the painted surface of the dish with adhesive and smooth on the aluminum foil. It isn't necessary to do a perfect job, but it helps to get it nice and flat.

Then all there is to do is to enjoy great reception and prepare to be surprised the first day the sun gets right behind the satellite!