There are only 2 major frequencies for delivering satellite TV programming in the USA.

C band delivers frequencies from 3.70 GHz to 4.20 GHz. The dish size required is 6 ft. to 10 ft. depending where you live in the US and if you are going to track all the satellites or just sitting your dish on one satellite. C band Big dishes can receive both C band and Ku band signals using a feed horn that will accept both Lnb's.

Ku band delivers frequencies from 11.70 GHz to 12.50 GHz. The dish size required is 18 in. to 36 in... Depending where you live in the US and if you are going to track all the satellites or just sitting you dish on one sat. Ku band dishes cannot receive C Band signals unless they are designed for it and are usually very large and the dishes are not for the average homeowner unless you have money to burn.

The best of both types is C Band, why? Lower frequencies penetrate the weather in the sky easier than higher frequencies. All Cable Companies and DSS providers acquire most of their signals by C Band. Just like with cordless phones, a 900 MHz phone will penetrate through your walls easier than a 2.4 GHz phone. 2.4 GHz. Phones do have a better range in distance in the open air but the phone base with the antenna is always in the house and the walls in your house will slow down the signal. The 900 MHz. phones will penetrate much easier but you will not have a farther distance.

Lost signal once in 7 years. I have only lost my C Band signal once in 7 years due to weather, while watching HBO one winter there was a sever freezing rain storm that lasted about 30 minutes. There was so much ice on the dish after it looked like solid glass and the weight through the signal off until the next sunrise when it all melted.