Minidish

Sky Digital Minidish

The Minidish is the tradename used for the small-sized satellite dish used by Sky Digital. The term has entered the vocabulary in the UK and Ireland as a generic term for a satellite dish, particularly small ones.^{[citation needed]}

The Minidish is an oval, mesh satellite dish capable of reflecting signals broadcast in the upper X band and K_u band. Two sizes exist:

• "Zone 1" dishes are issued in southern England and were 43 cm vertically prior to 2009; newer mark 4 dishes are approximately 50 cm
• "Zone 2" dishes are issued in elsewhere (Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and northern England), which are 57 cm vertically.

The Minidish uses a non-standard connector for the LNB, consisting of a peg about 4 cm (1.6 in) in width and 7.5 mm (0.30 in) in height prior to the mark 4 dishes introduced in 2009, as opposed to the 40 mm collar.^{[clarification needed]} This enforces the use of Sky-approved equipment, but also ensures that a suitable LNB is used. Due to the shape of the dish, an LNB with an oval feedhorn is required to get full signal.^[1]

References

1. ^ http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/lnb.htm#SX1019