General tech question: How does unpowered Dish transmit signal over long coax?

[BarnRat]

Just curious how this works . . . The roof Dish antenna is not powered. How is it able to transmit a signal thru coax that is 100+ feet long? Is it powered thru the coax cable from the receiver? My internet ISP uses the coax to pass DC current to the roof dish and also pass signal back and forth. Does Dish antenna do the same thing?

 

[Bobby]

Just curious how this works . . . The roof Dish antenna is not powered. How is it able to transmit a signal thru coax that is 100+ feet long? Is it powered thru the coax cable from the receiver? My internet ISP uses the coax to pass DC current to the roof dish and also pass signal back and forth. Does Dish antenna do the same thing?

Think of it like a TV antenna, it receives a signal from the air. The receiver, a Hopper 3 in your case, will supply the power required for the built-in switch at the LNB attached to the dish. All that does is select the proper satellite signal for the channel you have selected.

 

[dishdude]

The receiver sends 24v up to the LNB through the coax. Hold the coax in your hand while standing on an aluminum ladder on wet ground, you'll feel it go through you, the ladder and back to ground.

 

[BarnRat]

OK, thanks guys. I was just curious . . .

 

[BarnRat]

This helps:

How Satellite TV Works

Satellite TV once required a huge eyesore of a dish positioned on the lawn. These days, you can receive the digital satellite signal with a tiny bowl attached to your roof. Find out how satellite TV works.

electronics.howstuffworks.com

 

[sam_gordon]

Think of it like a TV antenna, it receives a signal from the air. The receiver, a Hopper 3 in your case, will supply the power required for the built-in switch at the LNB attached to the dish. All that does is select the proper satellite signal for the channel you have selected.

It also powers the LNB. Even satellite dishes without built in switches require power.