Ground stations constantly monitor these satellites and make any adjustments that are necessary. The television signals transmitted by a satellite are quite different from the television or radio signals that are broadcast over the air. The particulars of a satellite TV signal are beyond the scope of this small article, but there are some basics that you should know. Satellite TV is transmitted by microwaves. Microwaves don't behave like the lower frequency radio waves of off-air television or radio, which can bounce off obstructions, clouds, and the ground.
Microwaves are strictly line of sight.
In order for a satellite dish to receive a signal, there can be no obstruction between the transmitting satellite and the receiving satellite dish. Because microwaves are highly directional, the satellite dish and associated components must be properly aligned. Satellite television in the USA is divided into two major types. TVRO satellite systems have a large dish which is movable. The movable dish enables a TVRO system to view programs on the many satellites that are positioned in the Clarke Belt.