Big ugly dish
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A big ugly dish (often abbreviated to BUD) is a colloquial name for a satellite dish used to receive satellite television signals from FSS-type satellites on the C band, BUDs are usually about ten feet or three metres in diameter and have been a source of much consternation (even local zoning disputes) to neighbors of those with the dishes. Although some dishes are made of fiberglass, a common alternative is a metal mesh — such BUDs shed snow and suffer reduced wind loads; in addition, some critics consider them less unsightly.
Recently, DBS services have reduced or eliminated the need for BUDs. Signals from DBS satellites (operating in the Ku band) are higher in power and therefore require smaller dishes than C band, and the digital signals now used require far less signal strength at the receiver. General advancements in noise abatement have also had an effect. For these reasons, significantly smaller dishes are now used for home satellite reception.
A dual-band or Ku band LNB may be retrofitted to some big dishes, however there is a more restrictive maximum mesh size (anything less than the diameter of a pencil) if anything other than a solid dish is used at these shorter wavelengths. Usually, a solid fiberglass or spun aluminum dish is ideal for dual-band LNB operation.
"West Virginia State Flower" is a term that was loosely applied to BUD's in the 80's and 90's, before the emergence of DBS systems. Since West Virginia is very mountainous and rural, reception with aerial antennas was difficult and cable TV systems hadn't been established. Therefore, the over-abduance of BUD's seen in the area lead to the short-lived term "West Virginia State Flower", as there was one in pretty much every yard. The expansion of cable TV systems into rural areas and the arrival of the DBS system have reduced the number of BUD's being used in the areas, however, because of their size, they're usually left in place when disconnected. Some have been removed and minidishes placed on the pole, or, in some cases, a newer LNB was retrofitted onto the dish and them the dish aimed at the appropriate service. The term was regional, known mostly to those living in West Virginia and surrounding areas.
