Satellite receivers used to be large, clunky devices, that most homeowners had to give up their entire backyards to enjoy. The prohibitive size and the frequency these creations failed to actually receive the signals desired combined to make satellite an option that only a few pursued. Nowadays, however, satellite receivers have changed a lot. From their size to their reliability levels, these devices have come a long way through the years.



While a satellite receiver will still be necessary to make most devices work, they are typically much more compact. Used for everything television and radio reception to portable phones and beyond, small receivers are the wave of now. This isn't to say larger receivers aren't still out there. Many government agencies, scientific labs and large companies use large satellite receivers and dishes for their operations, but home-use receivers are much more manageable.

Whether it's satellite television, radio or even telephones that are in question, a satellite receiver will be necessary to make everything work. These devices now, however, are sometimes so small, it's hard to tell what they are. In the case of radio, for example, some of the receivers are no larger than portable music players. They are compact enough to take on the go and plug into different vehicles as their owners desire.

The kind of satellite receiver that will be necessary will depend on the service in question. There are three main types of receivers that homeowners tend to run into. These are:

Satellite television receivers: These still typically come in the "dish" form, but the dishes have shrunk - a lot! Most dishes today are about the size of an actual dinner plate or maybe just a slight bit larger. They are quite portable and no longer cost thousands to install. In fact, many satellite television providers offer dishes for free as part of the service package. The days of giving up the backyard for great television are over.

Radio receivers: Satellite radio receivers are so small now, they tend to come stock in a lot of cars. Whether it's XM, Sirius or another service, the receivers are designed to work with the onboard radio systems. When they're not pre-installed, these receivers can generally be obtained through the service in question for home or portable use. These receivers do have their problems in some areas. Going under underpasses, for example, will tend to block the signal, but that's typically the only issue with them at all.

Telephone receivers: Satellite telephone service is fast taking over where cellular left off. Offering users fairly reliable service from almost anywhere in the world, these phones are no larger than regular or even mobile phones. The receivers used in satellite phones are generally built into the mix, too, demonstrating just how far this technology has come in a short time.

While it used to be anyone who wanted a satellite receiver needed to be prepared to spend a long of cash on a monstrosity, that just isn't the case anymore. As technology has moved forward, receivers have become smaller, more portable and much more reliable.