Yep, satellite signals get rather degraded when you have heavy cloud cover. Nope, there isn't much that can be done about it. Satellites only have so much power available to them. It is possible to put up a commercial satellite fleet with more transmission power available, but it would cost a great deal more. He should have a battery powered radio of some sort available living in a tornado or hurricane zone anyway, that's just basic gear, AM/FM should do.
Why exactly is this DUmmie admitting to signal piracy? If the DUmmie had built these boxes that would be one thing, but you just know he didn't. His retarded post proves that.