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He's even turned down a better place to live because he couldn't put his satellite dish up on the roof.
"It's great. I get a super crystal-clear picture," said Ravenshorst, the office manager for Northmart in Inuvik.
He said with satellite he gets a digital-quality picture, surround-sound options, more than 60 channels including music channels and 10 movie channels and instant playback options.
The only time he's had trouble with the reception is in extreme weather like the blizzard Inuvik had earlier this month.
Ordering on-line or through a store is the only way people living in smaller communities can get a satellite system.
Although he doesn't have the exact numbers, Ravenshorst said Northmart sells quite a few satellite systems in a year. They were an especially hot item when the technology first came out seven or eight years ago, he said.
A basic system usually costs between $200 and $250, said Ravenshorst. A top-notch system, which usually includes a personal video recorder so you can record and playback live TV, runs at about $600, said Ravenshorst.
"It's more expensive but it's worth it," he said.
After installation, the monthly bill usually comes in at about $60.
Easy Installation
Ease of installation is often a selling point for people looking to own a satellite dish, said Roy Williams, owner of Radio Shack in Yellowknife.
Especially in small communities where there are no professionals to put it up for you.
If you have to install your own, Bell Expressvu models are the way to go, he said.
The system includes an on-screen meter and tonal meter to indicate if the dish is getting the satellite signal or not.
Star Choice, the other satellite dish option, is much more difficult to install, said Williams.
Expressvu can have a down side, though.
Because of "massive" signal pirating, Expressvu customers must have a Visa card to purchase and operate an Expressvu satellite dish, said Williams.
Star Choice customers do not.
