| Author | Message | ||
| Ray Drummond (Ray_d)
Registered Member Username: Ray_d Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2006 Posted From: 64.160.118.145 Rating: N/A |
Painted one a few years ago and no problems, but now Winegard says painting the dome can cause a signal problem. Anyone know anything about this or is the factory just being cautious because some one put 1/2" of epoxy paint on one? Thanks, Ray D | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
Registered Member Username: Sean Post Number: 535 Registered: 1-2003 Posted From: 67.45.244.133 Rating: N/A |
Nothing is transparent to microwaves, except a vacuum. So anything at all between the antenna and the satellite will attenuate the signal, somewhat. That includes the radome itself. That being said, the dome is clearly essential to keeping the weather off the mechanism. So Winegard (and King-Dome, KVH, etc.) are willing to make that tradeoff, and have allowed for it in their design. Any paint you put on the dome will attenuate the signal further. Whether this attenuation is enough to prevent the electronics from finding the bird, or satisfactory TV reception, is another matter. Some paints are worse than others. Any paint with metal in it, such as metallic finish ("sparkly" or "flecked") paints, will present a much larger attenuation problem than non-metallic paint. I would guess that Winegard's current recommendation reflects (no pun intended) the fact that metallic paint has become more common than non-metallic types in the coach painting industry. Just a guess. IMO, If you stick to a non-metallic color and apply it in standard thickness (one primer, one base coat, one or two clear), the additional attenuation should not be enough to ruin your TV enjoyment in the lower 48. HTH, -Sean | ||
| Ray Drummond (Ray_d)
Registered Member Username: Ray_d Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2006 Posted From: 64.160.118.145 Rating: N/A |
Thank you very much Sean, that is the practicle answer I was looking for. Ray d | ||
| steve gaines (Kysteve)
Registered Member Username: Kysteve Post Number: 46 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 74.140.165.225 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Sean, Ive been wanting to paint the dome on our stick and staple too. I figured that the satellite companies were just trying to keep their logo on it. thanks Steve | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
Registered Member Username: Sean Post Number: 538 Registered: 1-2003 Posted From: 67.45.244.133 Rating: N/A |
I think what they are really trying to do is keep the warranty claims down. Bear in mind that, if you do this against manufacturer's advice, you may invalidate your warranty. And, in any case, it will be your responsibility to demonstrate, should there be a problem, that the paint is not the culprit. Before you paint, you might want to research how much a replacement dome cover would cost you, should the worst happen. -Sean | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 468 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.200.224.227 Rating: N/A |
Hmm funny thing is when I had a question regarding my kingdome satellite, I called the mfgr.. In our conversation, we talked about this very thing and they said "sure it can be painted any color" but as Sean suggested, without using a metallic paint! I always wonder why more people don't just pick up the phone and call the mfgr., not that these boards won't get you the answer, but a more definite answer would be simply to call the mfgr. You can't go wrong in most cases! I see questions regarding Wrico generators and it's surrounding components and the man himself, Dick Wright or his associates answers all calls with all questions. I see questions about allot of items but how come people don't just call the mfgr's first? Nobody knows how it works, what is best for it, or how to fix it, better than the mfgr., I would think! Ace Ace | ||
| Dale Waller (Happycampersrus)
Registered Member Username: Happycampersrus Post Number: 301 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 66.82.9.59 Rating: N/A |
"I always wonder why more people don't just pick up the phone and call the mfgr., not that these boards won't get you the answer, but a more definite answer would be simply to call the mfgr. You can't go wrong in most cases! I see questions regarding Wrico generators and it's surrounding components and the man himself, Dick Wright or his associates answers all calls with all questions. I see questions about allot of items but how come people don't just call the mfgr's first? Nobody knows how it works, what is best for it, or how to fix it, better than the mfgr., I would think!" Ace, If you do it that way you actually have to do the work yourself. If you post it here as a question all the folks that want to be right will find you an answer at light speed while you are watching tv or playing with Bud. Works for me | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 194 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.181 Rating: N/A |
Well.... actually...... While someone at the manufacturer may just repeat the company mantra designed to cover their collective asses to avoid litigation.... there can be someone here that's had success doing what the manufacturer won't admit can be done successfully. Fir instance.... call Verizon and ask if you can use their cellphone for Internet connections through your ISP without extra fees.... Then ask here... | ||
| Dale Waller (Happycampersrus)
Registered Member Username: Happycampersrus Post Number: 302 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 69.19.14.16 Rating: N/A |
That's the great benefit of this board. After you post a question and wait, not only will you get real world experience you will also get a lecture, science lesson, physics lesson, grammar lesson, spelling lesson, math lesson, and 14 different reasons why something won't work even though someone with real world experience said they have done it. Now try and get all that from the manufacturer. LOL. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 195 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.107.144 Rating: N/A |
HAR! I hearya'! | ||
| Ray Drummond (Ray_d)
Registered Member Username: Ray_d Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2006 Posted From: 64.160.118.145 Rating: N/A |
That was good Dale. I figure you have a 50/50 calling the manufacturer and talking with someone that will give good (practical) advice. In fact I had called the manufacturer and I am sure I was talking to the janitor. Ray D | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 32 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Calling the manufacturer will work for Wrico. I'm so sick of computers answering telephones though that I have given up for the most part on that source of information. | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 469 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 216.9.250.6 Rating: N/A |
I know the technical stuff can be hashed out on boards like these but the simple stuff really can be handled by the mfgr.. I guess it's more of a common sense thing. If your not quite sure, call the mfgr. And with all due respect, if I wasn't sure about painting my dish or dome, I think I would call those that made it over some guy that may have gotten lucky doing it his way. That's just me so keep on keeping on!  Ace | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 284 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
I've consulted manufacturers before & received incomplete answers because I didn't ask the right question. What is techinical to some is simple to others, & vice-versa. That is why I'd rather hash it out with friends before I ask the 'expurts'. YMMV kyle4501 |