Solar Interference

[SBacklin]

I heard about the issue where Satellite service is usually disrupted twice a year due to unavoidable solar interference. My question is does anyone know when that usually happens and what kind of problems I should be seeing due to that? Thanks.

[TNGTony]

We are just coming out of the fall solar conjunction season. First couple of weeks of October and the last couple of weeks in March are the times when the Sun lines up with the Clarke Belt in the US lattitudes.

Go to the EKB (www.echostaruser.com) or click on the EKB link on every page here and follow the solar conjuction link to see when it will affect you.

When the sun lines up behind a satellite, it blinds the dish antenna. The effects last up to about 15 minutes during the peak.

See ya
Tony

[Steve Mehs]

It's not just satellite TV, this happens with cable as well. Solar interference usually occurs in March and September. It only happens during the day (obviously) and outages are brief, usually a few minutes or 15 minutes at most at a time. When this happens, it will be just like rain fade, the picture will start to break up and pixelate then you’ll get the Searching For Satellite message and everything will be fine in a few minutes. It’s no big deal really.

[SBacklin]

The reason why I'm asking is because I just had my DVRs installed about 3 days ago. Some of the lower channels (my locals) have been pausing, pixelation with the pixels discoloring and the audio sometimes going out. I cannot tell if it's the solar interference or the cabling that was changed outside or inside. What do you guys think?

[SBacklin]

We are just coming out of the fall solar conjunction season. First couple of weeks of October and the last couple of weeks in March are the times when the Sun lines up with the Clarke Belt in the US lattitudes.

Go to the EKB (www.echostaruser.com) or click on the EKB link on every page here and follow the solar conjuction link to see when it will affect you.

When the sun lines up behind a satellite, it blinds the dish antenna. The effects last up to about 15 minutes during the peak.

See ya
Tony
I have D* and does that make any difference for the chart you linked me?

[TNGTony]

I have D* and does that make any difference for the chart you linked me?

Yes. It will. Most if not all of your channels are coming from 101°. Look at the 110° times and subtract about 40 minutes. That will give you a good rough guestimate. I'm not sure where your locals are comimg from.

Never-the-less, if your pixelization and freezing is happening in prime time programming, it is definitely NOT solar conjunction issues.

See ya
Tony

[SBacklin]

Yes. It will. Most if not all of your channels are coming from 101°. Look at the 110° times and subtract about 40 minutes. That will give you a good rough guestimate. I'm not sure where your locals are comimg from.

Never-the-less, if your pixelization and freezing is happening in prime time programming, it is definitely NOT solar conjunction issues.

See ya
Tony
My locals come from the same satellite at 101.

As for the timing of the "glitches". Roughly, the glitches seemed to so far happen during the evening and early morning. *It just pixelated again and it's 921am here.* I am keeping it on channel 4, my ABC affiliate here in Seattle.

[boba]

My locals come from the same satellite at 101.

As for the timing of the "glitches". Roughly, the glitches seemed to so far happen during the evening and early morning. *It just pixelated again and it's 921am here.* I am keeping it on channel 4, my ABC affiliate here in Seattle.
The sun rises in the East so morning loss will be on the East coast. Your solar outage won't show up until afternoon.

[SBacklin]

Well I am having another tech come out again. He should be here Tues. between 8 and 12. I told the guy I was talking to that I do NOT want the same tech again. He was here yesterday and I can tell he was frustrated and if he has to come out again. I know he's going to be like wth. I would feel too weird if he has to come out again. He did something to the cables yesterday and it made the picture a bit better so I thought the problem was fixed. However, after he left yesterday around 630, I started seeing the pixelation and discolored pixels again. It was going on well after 9pm. It was happening this morning too. As far as the tech coming out on Tues., I am going to call Mon. and make sure they don't send out the same guy again.