[jamesbobo]

I currently have a 3 LNB dish. At best conditions it's at 98% on two of the satellites, the third is 90%. It has to rain really hard to lose the signal on the two 98% satellites, moderatelly hard on the third. Snow has never been a problem no matter how hard or deep.
With 5 satellites to aim at, how does it perform in the rain? The Slimline dish, since that is the one I would get if I ever upgrade.

 

[Marino13]

I currently have a 3 LNB dish. At best conditions it's at 98% on two of the satellites, the third is 90%. It has to rain really hard to lose the signal on the two 98% satellites, moderatelly hard on the third. Snow has never been a problem no matter how hard or deep.
With 5 satellites to aim at, how does it perform in the rain? The Slimline dish, since that is the one I would get if I ever upgrade.

I find the slimline performs better!

 

[Jon J]

It may be named Slimline, but the capture area looks to be much larger than previous dishes. So, shouldn't the performance be at least as good if not better?

 

[TyroneShoes]

Other than strength of the signal itself, atmospheric vagarities, and attenuation of the signal after the LNB, reception strength depends on three things, 1) aiming, 2) how strong the amp in the LNB is, 3) how large the reflector is and how well it is designed.

1) Aiming can be trickier with the 5-LNB, but just as accurate. It depends upon the motivation and skill of the installer.

2) The amplification is probably designed so that the final output of the dish is equal to or greater than previous models. This is a factor that they have a lot of control over, and it would be problematic for them if they didn't do it this way

3) The reflector size is important, but when designers veer away from a parabolic dish (one focal point) to a parabolic-spherical dish (multiple focal points) some tradeoff in signal level is inevitable. The focal points defocus a little bit. Of course all current dishes are already parabolic-spherical, but there may be more tradeoff in one with 5 focal points. Its important to reflect enough signal to the LNB for the level to be within the window of operation for the LNB's amp, so there is a minimum size that will work. Also there is an acceptance factor. At some point the customer (wife) says "no way" to a larger dish.

Bottom line, the SlimLine will probably perform at least equally to the 3-phase.

 

[JimSpence]

You do realize that how hard it is raining has little to do with rain fade. It's the density of the thunderclouds between you and the sats that has the largest affect. Typically, in my area, I know a storm is approaching up to 10 minutes before the rains start. And when the rain starts, my signal has returned. Those on the west coast may see the rains before they lose signal.

 

[mgoddard1]

I still get rain fade if a big thunderstorm goes through but I don't think it is as susceptible to it as the 3lnb due to the larger dish size.

 

[HiDefGator]

My impression as well. My slimline seems to have less rain fade than the old 3 lnb it replaced. May depend on what sat you are watching. The slimline is defintiely aimed better though.

 

[Mark Lopez]

FWIW, I have the AT-9 dish and I rarely if ever get rain fade anymore as compared to the 3 LNB dish.

As far as aligning, IMO it's easier because it has actual adjustment screws instead of having to just turn it by hand and then tighten it down. Not sure how the newer slimline works.

 

[newsposter]

Typically, in my area, I know a storm is approaching up to 10 minutes before the rains start. .

and i know if there is lightning anywhere in 100 miles because my dsl goes out

 

[JimSpence]

Never had my DSL go out due to llightning.

 

[Mike Lang]

My 3lnb was just swapped for a SlimLine. I can tell you that I'm getting much higher signal percentages with this than any installer (3 tried) could get with the 3lnb. Rain fade testing is yet to come.

 

[Todd]

I've gotten significant rain fade with both of them!

 

[henryld]

I've gotten significant rain fade with both of them!

Ditto but I have not yet fine tuned my just installed 5LNB dish. Was going to do it yesterday but it rained darn near all day and I did have some rain fade.