A Satellite Dish

Name: Xiong Wei

Course: AAD 251

Instructor: Michael Bukowski

Date: 1th July, 2013

A Satellite Dish

A satellite dish is a dish-shaped parabolic antenna, which reflects the signal mounted on supports at the dish’s focal point. Focal point is a device called feedhorn which gathers the signals at the pivotal point before conducting the signals to a low-noise block down-converter. LNB converts the signals from electromagnetic or radio waves to electrical signals and shifts the signals from the downlinked C-band to the L-band range although direct broadcast satellite dishes use an LNBF, which integrates the feedhorn with the LNB which does not use a directed parabolic dish and can be used on a mobile platform such as a vehicle.

Satellite dish is just unique in its kind especially the silvery coating that covers the whole dish. The dish is circular in motion and assumes a geometrical three dimensional shape. The shape of the satellite dish is really impressive and it shows how keen the artist was while creating it. There are small thin line grains, which are almost invisible that move around the disc-like dish. The dish has parabolic shape, which is focused by the cylindrical feedhorn that gathers the signals to the pivotal point of the satellite dish. The dish is very smooth and silvery all over thus giving it the beautiful look admired by anyone who loves beautiful art work. Unless someone pays attention to the satellite dish, it is not possible to ascertain the artistic elements in it. The grey color, the three-dimensional cylindrical feed horn, the straight stand and the circular outline of the dish are just some of the few art elements in it. The smoothness and the grey nature give the dish a look of harmony and peace hence making it looks friendly to the users. The support of the satellite dish and the dish itself however does not look proportional since the dish is very large and seems bulky compared to the support stand (Johnson 44-60).

The dish is taller than its width and this makes it to look roughly circular and is therefore suitable for use with a standard universal LNB. The large dish has a very narrow focal angle in the horizontal plane for it to reject the signals from other satellites around it and the diameter is 54cm diameter in its width size but 43cm dish lengthwise and this gives it almost complete rejection of its same size. The dish is made of steel material because steel is cheaper than other metals such as copper. At the back of the dish are well-designed metals that are put in an artistic pattern to hold the circular disc, which is mounted on a three-inch diameter pole stand, which makes it resistant from wind. Satellite dish has three arms that support LNB that ensures that it remains at the exact focal point and reduce the risk of damage to the connectors that result from movements due to the strong winds. The dish is also movable and someone can decide may be to go to another house or even change the position of the dish without much difficulty (Johnson 44-60).

The satellite dish’s ability to be adjusted is very unique and plays a very important part when it comes to its usage. For Instance, when the dish is well set such that the elevation and separation situations are correctly put as well as the signal identifier then an individual can set a dish such that the signal meter is well installed in a half way. The dish can assume different motions just to enable the viewer to get exactly what he wants by moving it to one end such as leftwards then carefully revolve it rightwards up to the time the right signal and channel is achieved. The maker of the satellite dish must have had enough knowledge and understanding concerning motions and even the fact that there is need to locate an active signal. This is common especially from a satellite in a geo-stationery orbit, far and far away. Locating the best signal will make a viewer get maximum satisfaction from the gadget. After wonderfully adjusting the strength of the signals to the maximum point, an individual can go through the many available channels provided and go finally select the one that fits him best. An individual has the opportunity to get back to the satellite dish and ensure that it is at the right place where it can gather the best signal strength which suits the viewer. In fact, there is no limit on the number of times someone can change or move the satellite dish and this indeed makes it very flexible and interesting to use.

Satellite dish is made in a way that when I need to loosen the elevation bolts for me to gently change the dishes elevation for best signal strength and also adjust the signal finders’ sensitivity to achieve better view. I can always move the dish up and down slowly until it reaches the best signal strength, which I can view and fix the dish into position, which it fits well because the final position is to fine-tune the best location.

The satellite dish is a three dimensional art that is part of functional art since it is has solved the problem of analogue viewing by providing a nice user friendly way of viewing many things which has created an aesthetic feature to enjoy by people particularly through blending and complementation of technology. The artist who came up with the idea of satellite dish must have used knowledge of communication and technology and it is evident that the artist collected several pieces of artistic works to create a great blend which presents a combination of great works. Satellite dish is very useful and is one of the best attractive modern objects that represent emerging talent who has worked hard to solve some of the problems facing television viewers. The artist wanted to show his creativity in television viewing and understanding of various elements of arts such as size, shape and texture by creating a huge parabolic shaped satellite dish which is very beautiful to almost every person who sees it from any distance (Scholl 159-165).

The artist strategy was to target the many television viewers audience who could not clearly watch their television sets and the viewers who may refuse to watch their television sets simply because they are monotonous and boring. Satellite dish brought a new way of watching televisions in style by making watching interesting and very attractive to the viewers by introducing the clear-crystal look on the TVs. The viewers of the televisions can also watch several programs that they love any time without waiting for the TV channels to control them. Best thing about the satellite technology is that Satellite TV has something for everyone because there is a programming package that is ideal for everyone whether or not an individual using it is a lover of sports, music, comedy, art and culture, news, history, movies.

The satellite dish really appeals to the users by soothing and providing them with what they want in terms of entertainment as well as providing learning and news about different fields. The satellite dish’s design and functions is very appealing to both the old artists and the upcoming artists since it comprises of several combinations of artistic skills such as communication technology and metal works. In some cities, buildings are covered in painted dishes (“art” on the dishes) – to make them more visually appealing when in large numbers. The audience who were targeted by the satellite dish is people who embrace new technology and watching movies and different television programs. It is evident that the audiences are very much happy and contended with the satellite dish due to provision of different programs on the TVs (Scholl 159-165).

The strategies of the inventor of the Satellite dish has been very beneficial to me since I am now able to view TV differently in a very unique and interesting manner. I can now watch many TV programs and even other things such as football and movies through the use of satellite dish. Satellite dish involves an idea derived from diverse subject matters since it involves the way in which TV can be watched in a style. The satellite dish provokes reactions from the audience in the way they receive the various programs they watch. It has introduced new idea, which is important in providing a new way of as well as derivation of ideas from the already existing objects such as TVs that could only show single channels or programs particularly local channels.

I have really gained from the satellite dish because for instance, as a foreign student I am able to watch my home channels through the satellite dish. I also love fashion and the satellite dish has provided me with so many channels that show fashions and designs. I love taking my time watching our local movies and exploring world news via many channels provided by the satellite dish. I am never bored by the variety of shows and programs provided by the satellite dish and the feeling I have towards the satellite idea is that it is my biggest partner who would inform me of any new idea and stories I want. I have come to love athletics and sports generally because of the satellite dish. Satellite dish shows very many sports channels that are very interesting and lovable.

The dish is part of my life especially due to its spectacular shows that reflect the social life and practices of our people. I am able to feel at home and enjoy myself in the foreign country because the satellite dish has provided all the information such as news about my home country. As the time goes by the satellite dish has become increasingly advanced creating the quality of TV viewing and the abundant TV programs make my life colorful. I can relax after a long day work or studies by viewing the most interesting program or movie and this greatly relieve me from stress. By using the satellite dish, I am capable of shaping my future by watching programs that are very constructive and sharpen my wits particularly in my area of study. What else can do me all these? Watching high definition programs at a lower price because of this spectacular technology of the satellite dish is just amazing and exciting. I feel that all many forms of emotional challenges such as sadness and depression have been minimized by the available programs that are only meant for the purpose of comforting me and I am now living very comfortable life away from home.

The satellite dish must be representational because it was derived perhaps from the television aerials. The satellite dish is based on innovativeness and inventions just like every other electronic. My experience with the dish has largely been influenced by my passion for physics especially waves and signals transmissions. Although the dish may not be enjoyable to everyone especially aesthetically, its contents and make contains a lot of physics knowledge. The assembling of the dish and other components such as feedhorn involves a lot of physics logic. Even the fact that it can be rotated while searching for the strong signals is part of wave theory where the best and strong signals are considered useful. I believe that my dish is certainly minimalist as a way of making it adapt to its function. I would also conclude that it has some elements of formalism because of its flawless shape and the great emphasis put on its parabolic shape.

Interaction with the satellite dish is just awesome and there are a number of senses that I do apply while interacting. I mainly use my eyes to see the grey color of the parabolic dish, its shape and the connection of wires. I also use hands to touch and rotate the satellite dish while trying to search for a strong signal for best viewing of the television. The rotation really flexes my muscles and as I turn it, at times I turn on the television so that I can hear the sound from the TV when the dish is in its proper position. Rotation of the satellite dish sometimes works well as a simple workout and coordination of my senses. When I successfully rotate the dish , I normally feel that I have achieved a very important thing that most people are too lazy to do. I normally try to focuss on the best direction where the dish can be rotated for better results and this has made me achieve subsequent accuracy and speed in adjustment. The work of rotating the satellite dish may however seem difficult to people who do not want to concentrate simply because they are too lazy to do it. At times I feel to reluctant to rotate the dish because I suspect that it may tilt and loss the signal again. Nevertheless, I have realized how to overcome such kind of problem by tightly fixing the dish on its stand.

I have analytical and high achievers personality which has made me pay close attention to the satellite dish. I have always been interested in knowing how the satellite dish operates and improve on its abilities. My passion for achieving great things and the need to improve on performance of objects has made me to come up with an imaginary direction where the strength of the signals are always very strong and therefore little rotation is required. My love for watching television when it is crystal clear has also attracted my attention to the satellite dish. In fact, every time I want to watch television, I first check on the position of the satellite dish to ensure that it is in the correct position.

My visual intelligence has always prompted me to search for better signals almost on daily basis so that I can get the best crystal clear look on my television. I have always wanted to watch clear things on my television and this has been the main reason why I would climb on top of the roof to make the satellite dish. My physics intelligence too has always made me to try to figure out how the object operates. In many cases I have found myself just asking myself several questions about the satellite dish such as how does it receive waves from far places and oversees.

My love for the satellite dish began as esteem because I wanted to be recognized as someone who can achieve what most people cannot. I wanted a good name because many of my friends tried rotating the signal to receive strong signals but they did not succeed until I tried and achieved the best result. My passion for physics and television generally made me develop very close interest on the satellite dish. I would say that it was self-realization because I wanted fulfillment and satisfaction in my area of interest.

The social motive for me is to obtain the right position of the satellite dish and fully understand how it was constructed to suit its function. I desire to come up with ideas that can help making of a better satellite dish that would not require frequent rotation. I have always wanted my friends from different countries to view our home television channels so that they can also learn a lot about our culture. Watching clear and interesting channels is one of the ways I can best spending my leisure time with friends. I really enjoy socializing with friends especially over the weekends and turning the satellite dish is one of the interesting and funniest things we normally do together.

Biasness is very frequent when it comes to dealing with the satellite dish. At times I find that I have not properly rotated the satellite dish well. This is always embarrassing because everyone knows that I am good at it. In most cases I have always tried to to explore new directions where I think the signals might be stronger because of my physics knowledge but I fail terribly.

The maker of the satellite dish achieved what he intended to do and I can call his work an accomplished work and a big success story in his life. Yes, he wanted to provide diverse channels providing many programs that fit the users and he finally achieved his target. The design of a satellite dish is a mixture of almost all elements of art such as the parabolic shape, which fits its function and the wider dish to boost signal reception. The most surprising thing about the satellite dish is that it covers oversees channels particularly the least expected channel from my foreign country. The dish really serves its purpose very well especially the way it was artistically designed in a circular shape to gather signals. The dish is very easy to maintain because no much attention is needed after it has been installed perhaps because many people have it. Satellite dish have become part of every home and this is especially due to perfect craftsmanship applied. The dish reminds me of great skills and knowledge used for success of every project.

Satellite dish is the best object I have ever come across in my life because of its uniqueness and the artistic styles used in its design. Even though numerous people do not understand the mystery behind signal reception and interpretation of data played on the TV set, satellite TV remains one of the least understood major provider technologies for TV reception throughout the world. The satellite dish is a relatively simple technology based on relatively basic physics theories, which has attracted many and many people to sign up as new satellite customers particularly do to benefits received from it. Advancement and enhancements of satellite has contributed a lot to the sector of communication and this makes many consumers want to use it hence making them be elated with the outcome and many more people throughout the world receive service that is either on par or superior to the best cable packages, and with those two reasons alone it is quite easy to understand the growing popularity of satellite television services. I have realized that the dish that I once considered as a boring object is very useful and contains a lot of art elements. I realized that even physicists and engineers apply a lot of art in their work before completing the final work. The artistic styles such as the shapes and image style used is really amazing. From looking at the dish, I have realized that no object can exist without art definitions in it.

Works Cited

Johnson, Jean. Exploring Contemporary Craft: History, Theory and Critical Writing ; [… Papers Presented at the “exploring Contemporary Craft: History, Theory & Critical Writing” Symposium Held in March 1999 in Toronto …]. Toronto: Coach House Books, 2002, 2002. Print.

Scholl, Brian J. Objects and Attention. Cambridge: Mass, 2002. Print.

AAD 251: Assignment #1 Evaluation Form(40 Points)

Description:

and

“Formal” analysis (application of the Elements & Principles of Design)

A very good description and beginning to exploration through E & P of Design, but might have been able to further develop the E&P of Design aspects of the discussion/visual analysis. And see above.

Category(-ies) of “art”: Good.

8.25

10 Points total possible

_____________________________________

Tactics & Strategies (how applied; what they revealed):

5

5 Points possible

_____________________________________

Image Styles: See above.

3

5 Points possible

_____________________________________

You (the Viewer) & the Object:

Senses: Application of material from the Senses reading? Recall that humans have far more than the “classic 5” Senses. Have you ever been able to physically interact with the dish vs. merely experiencing it through vision (i.e. looking at the dish itself rather than TV programs)?

Emotions: Application of material from the Emotions reading? Might help explore further nuances of emotional experience.

Personality: Application of material from the Personality reading? Does the dish reflect any aspects of your Personality? Also, some students anthropomorphize their Object.

Intelligences: Gardner, et al.’s Intelligence Domains? Any involved in your experience / understanding of the dish?

Needs: Maslow-related Needs?

Social Motives: Social Motives from the Reading?

Biases: Biases from the Reading?

E.g. consider why you have the dish vs. other ways of receiving TV signals.

1.25

14 Points total possible

_____________________________________

Findings:

Maker’s intent:

Most surprising:

and

Conclusions / judgment:

Relation to judging design reading Good and Bad: Judging Design in The Elements and Principles of Design document (e.g. you mention that it is prone to rust)? Otherwise a nice “wrap up” to the “story” of the dish.

4.75

6 Points total possible

_____________________________________

Solid start, then you ran into difficulties. The most significant problem (and it certainly impacts the grade) is with the portions that are missing or “alternatively” addressed (see above). You tell a good “story” about the dish, but it’s the nature of the exploration—the use of our framework to help (hopefully) break away from “normal” ways of seeing / experiencing—that needs further development. Who knows what additional questions raised by the material in the other Readings might lead to (or not)….

Problem areas could easily be addressed with some additions, if you so choose. Let me know if you have any questions about course materials or how to apply them, or if you would like to see a sample of this assignment…..

See above for a few other comments.

Points: 22.25 (out of 40)