Thanks for input everyone now have another question. Would a UPS (battery back up) be better against lighting than just a regular surge protecter power strip?
Basically lightning with a nearby strike can "make electricity" in wires running nearby (without actually "touching" the wires). The longer the wire run, the more electricity which will be "generated' inside the wires when lightning strikes nearby.
With a satellite receiver, in addition to the power cord, there are also other wires running a long distance and outside. Expecially with a 36 volt positioner = more wires to pick up lightning "electricity".
So with that said, if you have just a computer which is not connected to a phone line and the only wiring is the power cord and connections to keyboard, monitor, etc., then yes a UPS would give you more protection.
But with a satellite receiver where there are multiple wires running outside, the receiver could get "zapped" by electricity generated in the wires running to the dish.
So the power line cord would be well protected, but the wires running to the dish would be a source of potential damage to the receiver.
If all the wires are "shielded" and the shielding is grounded, then this would provide protection to the wires running to the dish.
Shielding is metal (or something which conducts electricity) totally covering the wires inside a cable.
Here is additional information...
Faraday cage...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage
Shielded wire...
http://www.mjsales.net/items.asp?FamilyID=168&this_Cat1ID=261&Cat2ID=21