Quote: Standee "I am sure someone much more intelligent than me could explain the physics, but the basic issue is that the signal from the satellite is very weak once it has passed through the dense snow clouds etc. Also, cables used in the UK aren't really designed to operate in sub zero temperatures, so the more "external" cable between the dish and your sky box the worse it will be.'"
The signal from the satellite is microwave. Microwaves are absorbed very efficiently by water - it's why microwave ovens work. Any water (liquid or frozen) between the incoming signal and the receiver will absorb the signal.
We had the snow problem in February - not collecting on the dish or receiver but on the 'arm' between the two. Once it got to a certain thickness it blocked line of sight and absorbed the signal. I knocked the snow off and the signal came back. Because of the facing and angle of our dish we also get the same problem during downpours of rain.
kosh, if i put my frozen ready meal on my satellite dish what channel number do i cook it on? 
