# \[tech\] Satellite dish behind glass? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 3, 2002, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720 "2002-10-03T18:18:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2002, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/1 "2002-10-03T18:18:20Z")
So, I just moved to a new apratment. The cable system offered there sucks, so I was thinking of getting a satellite dish. I can get away with one that’s only 20" across, but can’t put it outside the building, since I’m only renting. There is space on the back porch, but a sheet of glass due south and I can’t het rid of that. I want the SD now: Can I get reception through the glass. I’ve asked in some stores and one guy said “Yup” and another siad “Nope.” I don’t wanna spend $500 and discover it won’t work. And fellow doper who knows? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2002, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/2 "2002-10-03T19:14:49Z")
What’s the “I’m only renting” objection? Your landlord won’t let you put it up? Why does HE care? 😕 Much good advice on installing DirectTV in apartment through glass, looks like. [http://www.netwurx.net/~mattyblast/dish.htm](http://www.netwurx.net/~mattyblast/dish.htm) > [@](#): > > The FCC has passed a ruling (I’m sure you’ve at least heard of it by now) that states that apartment dwellers and residents of other types of multiple-dwelling units cannot be forbidden to install a dish, as long as it sits on an “Exclusive Use” area of the renters property. What this means is that if the dish is on a part of the building that is only used by you, you are perfectly within your rights. > > Examples of exclusive use areas include patios, balconies, and the entire inside of your unit. Areas that do NOT qualify as exclusive use areas are the outside wall of your building, the lawn, or any area that is common to all residents. What does all of this mean? This means that if your dish is inside, you can install it without getting your landlord’s permission. No balcony? No patio? No problem. It CAN be done, PROVIDED, of course, that you still do not make any permanent alterations to the condition of the apartment!! > > \< snip \> > > Don’t worry about what type of glass your window is made out of. That’s completely irrelevant, and you’ll see why a little bit later. So Matty says it’s possible. Other than that, to answer the OP’s question, I’m finding a huge collective “Um…” tending towards “Yes” on Google. **"Yes."** [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/69426/104-3458574-4033533#CanIinstallaDIRECTVdishindoors](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/69426/104-3458574-4033533#CanIinstallaDIRECTVdishindoors) > [@](#): > > Can I install a DIRECTV dish indoors? > > Yes. The dish can be positioned indoors, pointing through most glass windows, if the setting offers a clear view of the southern sky. The higher lead content in old glass windows, however, may impede reception. **"No."** [http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hot\_topics/articledisplay.asp?ArticleID=38](http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hot_topics/articledisplay.asp?ArticleID=38) > [@](#): > > There must be a clear line of sight from the dish to the satellite, with nothing blocking the path — that includes trees, mountains, and buildings. And you can’t put the dish indoors behind a window since the satellite signal won’t go through glass. **"Maybe."** [http://www.vinylgems.fsnet.co.uk/carolinepage.htm](http://www.vinylgems.fsnet.co.uk/carolinepage.htm) > [@](#): > > If you live in a conservation area, apartment, or have any other difficulty with positioning of dish, remember - Satellite dishes do NOT need to be mounted high on walls or chimneys (see picture on next page). If you have a south facing window you may be able to achieve satisfactory reception through glass with a dish mounted indoors. **"Yes."** [http://www.dish-network-vs-direct-tv.com/dishnetwork-faq.htm#3](http://www.dish-network-vs-direct-tv.com/dishnetwork-faq.htm#3) > [@](#): > > Can I install a DishNetwork dish indoors? > Yes. The dish can be positioned indoors, pointing through most glass windows, if the setting offers a clear view of the southern sky. Also, if you are renting you need to get permission from your landlord. ---
**Author:** ![ScoobyTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@ScoobyTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ScoobyTX)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/3 "2002-10-03T20:28:22Z")
US FCC doesn’t care about **The Gaspode** : > [@](#): > > Location: Stockholm, Sweden Re: going through glass- definite maybe- get a guarantee from the supplier that it will work & take it back if it doesn’t ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2002, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/4 "2002-10-03T20:52:53Z")
It should work no problem. Radio waves travel through glass just fine. Want an example you can see every day? Look at a radar detector. Satellite broadcasts are in the S/C/Ku/Ka bands, all microwave. Police radar are in the X/K/Ka bands again all microwave. Police radar goes through the windshield of a police cruiser off your car and back through their windshield with no problems, or alternately through their windshield and yours to your radar detector. If microwaves did not pass easily through glass, radar units and detectors would have to be located with the transmitting and receiving antennas outside the car. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2002, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/5 "2002-10-03T22:22:36Z")
I have a guy down the street & he put his dish in his yard attached to a piece of wood sitting in the dirt. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2002, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/6 "2002-10-03T23:50:07Z")
When Charlie Ergen was launching DISH network, I went to an investor presentation where he demonstrated the product. The dish was behind the glass in a hotel. Note, though that it was a newer hotel. Older glass may pose challenges, as noted. Also, Charlie said something to the effect of “this isn’t really supposed to work, but there you go.” So I wouldn’t expect the satellite company to offer any guarantees. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2002, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/7 "2002-10-04T01:58:22Z")
I see no reason why glass would interfere. \ One thing that might be a cause for concern is if the window is screened. If there’s a metal mesh on the outside, it might block the signal (most window screen meshes are about the right size to block microwaves). That’s why there’s a metal screen in the doors of microwave ovens. A grounded conductor acts as a reflector to radio waves, but even an ungrounded mesh could cause significant attenuation. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2002, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/8 "2002-10-04T02:40:36Z")
[slight hijack] Most new window screens are actually made from fiberglass. [/end slight hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2002, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/9 "2002-10-04T07:52:39Z")
OK - some small points: 1. As noted, other rules in Sweden. Putting up a dish outside the balcony/ back porch, say on the railing of said porch, gives the landlord reason to demand I take it down. If I don’t, the company can terminate the contract. 2. No window screen. 3. As Duck Duck noted, the jury is still out. I’ve googled too. I’ve searched on websites from companies making the dishes, and it’s still a big maybe. I can always take the damned thing back (also - other rules here), but would be happy not to have to going through all the trouble of putting it up, only to discover it didn’t work. so… 1. Any Doper with 1st hand experience in this area? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2002, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/10 "2002-10-04T13:36:27Z")
UHF and VHF antennas are routinely installed in enclosures such as radomes. Fiberglass reinforced epoxy is a common material for such use. The attentuation will depend upon the dielectric losses in the glass, but most window glass is pretty transparent. ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2002, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/11 "2002-10-04T13:59:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Gaspode \* > \*\*3. As Duck Duck noted, the jury is still out. \*\* As I was saying with the radar example, glass is transparent to microwaves. Other examples: Glass is a good container for stuff in a microwave oven. If glass was not transparent to microwaves it would not be. I was also a radar technician for 8 years. High powered radars used pressurized waveguides to prevent sparking. The ends of the waveguide must be sealed to hold the air and be transparent to microwave, they are often glass or ceramic based. Back to police radar, not only does that microwave pass right through windscreens on the cars no problem, the freqency ranges overlap with those used by sattelite. I would say the jury is in. As long as the dish would have a clear site of the sattelite through the window it will work just fine. Even if it doesn’t have a completely clear site, it will probably be fine if the window frames and surrounding wall don’t have a significant metal (conductor) content. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2002, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/12 "2002-10-04T14:32:15Z")
"it will probably be fine if the window frames and surrounding wall don’t have a significant metal (conductor) content. " yes, but glass has lead & lead is a metal so one would think you can’t do this. Of course, you could always visit a glass shop & get a new window that has low lead 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2002, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/13 "2002-10-04T17:53:22Z")
Tinted glass can contain metals used in the tinting process. A ham-radio friend tested our tall building (with tinted windows) and found a greater than 50% signal strength loss through the glass. Home glass probably wouldn’t have this problem. How 'bout mounting to an exterior post or tree? ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2002, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-satellite-dish-behind-glass/130720/14 "2002-10-04T18:09:12Z")
Here’s [Yet another page](http://www.dbsforums.com/glass_2.html) with some discussion about putting a dish indoors. It sounds like good reception depends on lots of things, so even if Cecil himself said he got his dish working indoors, it doesn’t mean yours will. One point mentioned is “Should the glass have an electrically conducting layer for heat insulation purposes then you are in real trouble as there is little you can do.” I believe this refers to “low E” glass. Does your glass appear tinted at all? The advice to try putting sheets of glass or plexiglass on the window (if you have problems with reception) would be worth trying.