Rain fade observations..

[wm4bama]

It doesn't happen often but I do get very heavy cloud cover with downpours occasionally and lose my satellite connection.

During this time I observe my modem trying harder and harder to re-establish communications with the satellite...during this time I can do a "touch" test and notice that the modem temperature increases enough for me to tell it is working very hard...

By trial and error I found it best to disconnect power to the modem during the periods of rain fade and wait for better conditions, then reapply modem power.

This method has proven to me that the modem will re-establish satellite lock much faster and have a better s/n ratio than had I just left it alone and let it re-establish satellite lock whenever it could..

So, just my opinion and recommendation, is to unplug modem power when you are in a severe weather condition that causes the modem to lose satellite lock. I think this may keep the modem from unnecessarily ramping up the transmit power, which could cause, over time, an earlier modem failure and should extend the life of the modem.

It also allows the modem to remain at room temperature when a connection is unlikely..

[Doug Huffman]

Just lay a pancake fan and 90F thermoswitch on the modem case.

[Shane]

Bama I think that you may have more of a problem than just rain fade. If you are losing connection and your modem is getting hot it is because it is as you said working harder. If the over all install is good you could have a failing TRIA or in a rare occasion, modem.

[wm4bama]

Thanks Shane, but I don't think that is the case...I only lose satellite connection in severe weather conditions..just before Dish Network drops out due to rain fade.

By "rising" temperature I mean it's enough to notice from "touch" but not so hot that it causes me to be alarmed...I just think it's wiser to disconnect the power when I know it can't get a lock on the satellite for 30 minutes to an hour...instead of the modem continually trying to lock to the satellite...

Running any device at maximum power will take its toll over time...I just think this is one way to prolong the service life of a modem...not just for me, but for anyone..

[Shane]

Ahhh. I took it as getting to hot. Your idea should work fine.

[micwa]

Great advice bama. I was just in a rain-fade nightmare last night. I usually have to restart the modem for it to 'start working'. If not, it seems like it takes forever to kick in.

[Doug Huffman]

I've been watching the number of times the modem restarts - one blink - itself. Usually one restart cycle is all that is needed to establish a connection, but it may not last very long and be lost soon.

If I get bored watching then I'll shut it off and read or go to bed.

I'm sure WB has a record of how often and for how long a modem is down. Hopefully they'll compare my modem to my neighbors' modems to see that even if all of them are off, mine will be on battery power until the alarm wakes me.

[Shane]

I've been watching the number of times the modem restarts - one blink - itself. Usually one restart cycle is all that is needed to establish a connection, but it may not last very long and be lost soon.

If I get bored watching then I'll shut it off and read or go to bed.

I'm sure WB has a record of how often and for how long a modem is down. Hopefully they'll compare my modem to my neighbors' modems to see that even if all of them are off, mine will be on battery power until the alarm wakes me.

Yes they do, it is called historical plots.

[Brush Creek]

I've been watching the number of times the modem restarts - one blink - itself. Usually one restart cycle is all that is needed to establish a connection, but it may not last very long and be lost soon.

If I get bored watching then I'll shut it off and read or go to bed.

Ditto.

I've been doing that for over four years.

[Earthsignal]

Most electronics tend to last longer when they stay on rather than being turned off and on. Heating and cooling of components is more harmful than a constant temperature with a bit of fluctuation within the mfg. tolerances. If the modem was properly designed it should be able to handle periods of ramping up much better than being shut off and becoming cold and then turned back on going from cold to hot.

Like Doug said, just lay a pancake fan and 90F thermoswitch on the modem case would be better if your worried.