Using a Small Satellite Array as C-Band Receiver?

Posted by Cliff on Wednesday July 31, 2002 @07:00PM from the neat-projects-used-to-slip-through-loopholes dept.

An anonymous reader asks: "Many local zoning ordinances prohibit big (6~8 ft) satellite dishes. Is it possible to use many smaller dishes to achieve the same effect as one big dish in picking up C-band transmissions? I know that moving large number of dishes, for satellite tracking purposes, would be a pain but are there any other issues?" Obviously building a satellite array is possible, but what are the engineering issues involved in building such a project? How much space is realistically needed? And, of course, the bottom line: how much would doing something like this cost?

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Re:Do what the NSA did for years. by careo · 2002-08-01 03:48 · Score: 2, Funny

You can buy a microwave-transparent fiberglass rock to cover your dish. They come in all shapes and sizes from a tiny Dish Networks size to a BUD (Big Ugly Dish) size for C-Band.
Get two big ones, half a dozen small ones, tons of sand, and call it a Zen rock garden. Who could be so callous as to deny your religious freedom?
The Satellite TV FAQ has a whole section on how to get a dish if your neighbors won't let you.