Why Dish Size Matters
The size of your satellite dish directly affects signal strength. A dish that’s too small will produce a weak, unreliable signal that drops during rain or clouds. A dish that’s too large wastes money and is harder to install. Getting the right size is crucial.
Factors That Determine Dish Size
1. EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power)
Every satellite has an EIRP footprint map showing signal strength across its coverage area. The higher the EIRP at your location (measured in dBW), the smaller the dish you need.
- 50+ dBW → 60 cm dish sufficient
- 47-50 dBW → 80-90 cm recommended
- 44-47 dBW → 120 cm needed
- Below 44 dBW → 150+ cm or consider a different satellite
2. Your Latitude
Higher latitudes mean the satellite is lower on the horizon, which increases atmospheric path loss. A viewer in Cairo (30°N) needs a smaller dish than one in London (51°N) for the same satellite.
3. Longitude Offset
If you’re far east or west of the satellite’s sub-satellite point, signal strength drops. This is why Nilesat (7°W) works best in North Africa and the Middle East, and weaker in Southeast Asia.
4. Weather Conditions
Ku-band signals (used by most MENA satellites) are affected by rain fade. If your area gets heavy rainfall, go one size larger than the minimum.
Use Our Free Calculator
Our Dish Size Calculator lets you input your GPS location and target satellite to get minimum, recommended, and comfort dish sizes. Try it now — no registration needed.
Common Dish Sizes by Region
| Satellite | Gulf (25-30°N) | Egypt (25-31°N) | North Africa | Southern Europe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nilesat 7W | 60 cm | 60 cm | 60-80 cm | 90-120 cm |
| Arabsat 26E | 60 cm | 60 cm | 60-80 cm | 90-120 cm |
| Hotbird 13E | 80-90 cm | 80 cm | 60-80 cm | 60 cm |
| Turksat 42E | 80 cm | 80 cm | 90-120 cm | 90 cm |
Tips
- Always buy a dish 10-20% larger than the calculated minimum for rain-fade margin
- Mesh dishes are lighter but less efficient than solid aluminum dishes
- Offset dishes (the most common type) have an effective aperture larger than their stated size
- For multiple satellites, consider a toroidal or motorized dish mount