Question about Direct TV and fog.

[TommyMac]

My daughter and I are about to move bacck to Mobile next week. Here's my question....We both bought houses in the same neighborhood, they are both on canals. Last week she was up there and had Comcast installed in her place, but she knew I wanted Direct so she asked the installer about how the two compared. He said that in that neighborhood fog was a problem and that when there's fog, there's no reception. Guess it makes sense. Any of y'all have any experience with this problem?

From all I've heard about Comcast, I'm not sure it's a better option. Are there other cable options available in the Mobile area or does it boil down to Comcast or a dish?

 

[NYBamaFan]

I am not sure that a properly aligned dish would see enough signal strength loss from fog to make a difference. Depends on your signal strength before the fog rolls in. If it is well over 80%, you should be fine in the fog - as long as you have tight connections. Rain or moisture from fog can cause a problem if it gets into the connectors.

Remember, it takes some pretty big storms to see signal loss from a satellite - and that signal loss comes from the thick layer of clouds making up the storm. Fog is essentially a very thin cloud - even thick fog...

 

[Ldlane]

My daughter and I are about to move bacck to Mobile next week. Here's my question....We both bought houses in the same neighborhood, they are both on canals. Last week she was up there and had Comcast installed in her place, but she knew I wanted Direct so she asked the installer about how the two compared. He said that in that neighborhood fog was a problem and that when there's fog, there's no reception. Guess it makes sense. Any of y'all have any experience with this problem?

From all I've heard about Comcast, I'm not sure it's a better option. Are there other cable options available in the Mobile area or does it boil down to Comcast or a dish?

Tommy,

That's the first I've heard of such a thing! I haven't been back to Mobile in a while, but the fog can't be that dense! We have "Dish Network" out here and the only time we have a problem is when 1) Snow accumulates on the dish and I have to go out and wipe it off or, 2) a heavy rainstorm. Otherwise, we go through dust storms with no problem.

 

[TommyMac]

Thanks guys, I think I'll go ahead and get Direct.

 

[Bama Reb]

I live in a low-lying area close to a lake and there are times when the fog gets pretty thick. However I've never had a problem with fog affecting my Directv. The only time I ever have a problem is when a very heavy rainstorm blocks the signal from the satellite. Tell your daughter the cable installer is trying to pull the wool over her eyes.

 

[MegaVars]

Consider the source (Comcast installer). Never had a problem with fog blocking my signal. You`ll lose signal on a hard rain.
Don`t think you`ll have to worry about snow building up on it.:biggrin2:

 

[BEATtutorsee]

I think like NYBamaFan said, if you start out with a strong signal strength you should be good to go. I had Direct installed a few months back and have experienced zero problems so far. My signal strength is consistently around 96 and there have been a few good rainstorms move through that have had absolutely no affect on my reception whatsoever. The signal strength is key though, make sure your installer tells you (accurately) what it is and don't settle for marginal.

 

[Vinny]

I was driving up from Orange Beach a few years ago and I drove through at least an hour and a half of fog. I have never seen anything like it before.

 

[SavannahDare]

I live right off the Back Bay of Biloxi, not far from ol' Mobile, and we've actually had quite a bit of fog in the mornings over the past few weeks.

Never lost our DirecTV signal. We only use it for very hard rain, and most storms like that move through here so fast, the signal's not out very long.

 

[BamaLuver]

T-Mac: Comcast is IT within most of the Mobile area. I live in west Mobile (county limits) and our only cable choice is MediaCom (not much better than Comcast)!

Both my Mother and sister live even further west of me (where no cable lines have been brought in). I don't think either one have had a problem with their carrier (think its Direct). The only downfall seems to be when the dish is damaged during a hurricane -- the repair time is usually a couple of months. So -- be sure to pick up an extra pair of rabbit ears!

 

[Tide Tales]

T-Mac-I've had Direct for a couple of years now (years prior w/Dish) and zero problems. My only complaint (on-going) is even though I live in Alabama, the "local channels" are all from Miss. I have finally figured a way around that though and should be getting my locals out of T-town and B'ham soon! Cable is not an option (I live a mile from where they stop!) so sat. is the only reliable reception. During a heavy rain, reception is lost but usually it is rerouted quickly. Good luck on your move and welcome (back?) to Alabama! :BigA:

 

[SavannahDare]

My only complaint (on-going) is even though I live in Alabama, the "local channels" are all from Miss.

Funny, my "locals" are out of New York City, and I'm here in Ocean Springs, MS.