What Can I Do With A Large Old Satellite Dish?

Eli Smith
by Eli Smith

In the not too distant past, satellite dishes were incredibly large. If you happen to have a large old satellite dish still, you are probably wondering what you can do with it. With this guide, we hope to answer that question.

Your first option is to dispose of it at a company drop-off point, which you can find out by calling their customer service line. You can also reuse it for an alternate purpose, such as an art project or a large umbrella. If all else fails, you can sell them.

Below, we will get into some arts and crafts projects that you can use with larger satellite dishes. We will also dig into some alternate uses and answer common questions associated with having an old satellite dish.

What To Do With Your Old Satelite Dish

  • Unique art project
  • Convert them into an umbrella
  • Sell them
  • Dispose of them properly

Unique Art Project

The most exciting option you have with this is to create a unique art project. Art is known to reduce stress and give you an escape. If you have the space to store this big art project, this is a great option.

If you are looking for inspiration for this unusual art project, go to Pinterest. They have a variety of beautiful ideas for upcycling. Upcycling is reusing old materials for new mediums.

Some people have painted flowers, ladybugs, and Captain America’s shield. Whatever you want to do, use that inspiration to create something that stands out.

Convert Your Dish Into An Umbrella

If you are more practical, larger dishes can easily be converted into an umbrella. While it may not be the most beautiful umbrella, many people enjoy the industrial look that a large dish brings. If you like the look of it, it isn’t your job to appeal to the sensibility of everyone around you. You were not put on this earth to please other people.

To do this, you will need to weld a metal pole to a satellite dish. If the material is made of plastic, you will have to stick with bolting a pole to your satellite dish. Either way, it can be a time-consuming process.

If you aren’t handy, invite a friend over and make a day out of it. If you break it, you don’t have to worry about this being too much of a loss.

Sell Them For Someone Else’s Project

If you do not like the idea of starting another project, someone may want to take that challenge. By advertising the sale of a large, old satellite dish, some people may think of it for their uses.

Try and give potential buyers an idea of different ways they could use it. You can take some of the ideas presented in this article. By inspiring them with an idea, they will be more likely to buy from you.

Don’t be afraid to post it in a wide area. There is a fair chance that people in your area may not want it, but someone in the next state may be more than willing to pick it up. Advertise it on all available sites; Facebook and Craigslist being two of the most popular for this sort of thing. You can try eBay, but the shipping costs may throw some people off.

Dispose Of Them Properly

To address waste, companies like Dish and DirecTV have programs to handle their old dishes. For example, Dish allows you to bring many old models to Best Buy for disposal.

If your dish is old enough to be among the largest models, you may want to contact their customer service line. There is always a chance that they won’t accept these models. If companies don’t accept their older models, try and contact local recycling groups to see what you can do about them. Many of these companies partner with groups that handle disassembly, melting down, and reuse.

Local scrap handlers are also able to handle this.

Can You Connect Your Satellite Dish Directly To Your TV?

No, you cannot connect your satellite dish to your TV. The signal you would receive would be something that your TV could not process even if you could.

Can You Hack Your Satelite Dish To Get Free TV?

While some engineers have the proper education that would tell you otherwise, the answer is no.

TV stations send their broadcasts over encrypted signals. Those encrypted signals go to satellites, which go to your TV box. The TV box has decoders built into it that turns this data into consumable content.

These encrypted signals are changed continuously. Meaning that even if you could understand how to change it on day one, day two would have you do it all over again. You would need to program a complex decryptor.

If you wished to pursue the challenge, you would do it more as a hobby. Getting caught could lead you to reach potential fines and jail time, as this is illegal.

Can I Recycle A Satelite Dish For Cash?

Typically, recycling a satellite dish will charge the recycler. It is much more inexpensive for someone to throw something in a landfill than to dispose of it. Because it takes time and energy to recycle, it is always more expensive than throwing away. Regardless, states like California require you to recycle all of your e-waste.

Call around if you don’t want to have a disposal fee. Regardless of whether these companies charge you, it is your responsibility to dispose of them properly.

What Is The Value Of An Old Satelite Dish?

Many of the oldest satellite dishes contain aluminum and gold, precious metals that can sell separately. There is a significant amount of value in these precious metals.

For those who want to sell the dish without taking it apart, you can typically get anywhere from $50 to $200 out of them. The price the other party is willing to pay comes from their plans.

Can I Use A Satelite Dish To Boost My Cell Service?

A satellite dish is an extensive system means to gather signals. As a result, these older dishes can boost cell phone service. It is a unique blessing for those who live in rural locations.

If you know an old satellite dish, try and place your phone in front of the satellite dish. Some rural people swear by it, so give it a shot. If you plan on repurposing your satellite dish, you will need to remove it from your roof and find a good place in your backyard.

How Do You Remove A Satellite Dish?

When removing a satellite, there are typically four long bolts holding it in. There may be more, which you will loosen until nothing is holding up the mounting bracket.

Be sure that as you reach the last bolt that you are ready to catch the satellite. To address this safety issue, you may ask a friend to hold it as you remove it.

If you are removing It and replacing it, be sure to avoid damaging the cables. You can remove it with two smaller Phillips or flathead screwdrivers. There may also be cable ties, which you can cut.

If you do not plan on replacing it, you can cut the cable. However, you will need to be sure that there are no gaps in the roof after the removal. Replace any shingles that are damaged. You may also reapply roofing tar underneath if needed.

If you don’t want to go through the trouble, a satellite technician and a roofer can handle the combination of work needed.


Related Questions

Can I Use An FTA Receiver With My Old Satellite Dish?

An FTA (Free To Air) receiver works in combination with a satellite dish to allow you to receive channels. In combination with an old satellite dish, it can receive unencrypted channels. FTA receivers are less prevalent in the states because of the plethora of TV options available. Also, the internet has eliminated the need for these receivers.If you live in a remote location, they are worth getting. With an already stretched internet, it is good to have that stress placed on something else.

Eli Smith
Eli Smith

I'm a guy who becomes the expert of whatever I stumble upon, writing-wise. I've written tons about cool home products, home improvement, and smart technology in the home. I'm also the proud father of a kiddo born on new years, making my holidays very busy.

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