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Using a Small Satellite Array as C-Band Receiver?

Posted by Cliff on 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?

1 of 30 comments (clear)

  1. FAQ by EMIce · · Score: 5, Informative

    For those slashdotters like myself who found themselves asking a bajillion questions when C-Band was mentioned, check out the TVRO FAQ.

    And just in case your wondering what TVRO stands for, here is a description of TVRO from the FAQ's introduction:

    "TVRO is an acronym that stands for TeleVision Receive Only. Generally speaking, TVRO is the satellite distribution system for delivering programming to cable TV headends and systems."

    Also, here are some interesting facts I gathered from googling around and reading the FAQ:

    C-Band video is studio quality, it blows away cable and DSS/DISH satellite systems.

    Commercial PPV stations like HBO are available but need decryption hardware.

    Channels are leaving C-Band and switching to digital broadcasts, so the availability of C-Band channels is dropping.

    Non-commercial much less homogenized content is available via satellite.