Geosynchronous satellites use high gain transmitting antennas. And their beams are typically focused to maximize the return on investment. It could be possible the explorers have wandered beyond the boundary of the signal footprint.

Many satellite ground stations use receiving dishes, and it is possible to mount the dish to a frame that is then ballasted with cinder block. You can look-up non penetrating roof mount, see one here:

https://www.grainger.com/product/18C881?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7923-vTr4wIVhp6fCh2rggRlEAQYBSABEgJ92vD_BwE&cm_mmc=PPC:%20Google%20PLA&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI7923-vTr4wIVhp6fCh2rggRlEAQYBSABEgJ92vD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!281698275297!!!g!470278156059!

The mount does not have to be on the roof, but on the ground where it would be easier to daily pick up, move, and emplace. The storm could be coming up, the workers get out of the storm before the ballast is fully installed and the wind gust blows over the dish and mount, bending it into crumpled ball. Or a gust higher than designed.

Generally the dish uses a very narrow angle to 'see' the satellite, both horizontal, or vertical. Some will include audible signal strength feedback to tell if the dish is on track or not. If the dish is not tightened down well, it is possible for wind to push the dish off beam. Or an inexperienced explorer misaligned the dish, and the next time they do better. You can think of a laser beam between the transmitter and receiver. Many things could occlude the beam, e.g. distant rain, a mountain, (the explorers descend into the Grand Canon,) or someone parks next to the dish in a motor home

Geosynchronous satellites use high gain transmitting antennas. And their beams are typically focused to maximize the return on investment. It could be possible the explorers have wandered beyond the boundary of the signal footprint.

Many satellite ground stations use receiving dishes, and it is possible to mount the dish to a frame that is then ballasted with cinder block. You can look-up non penetrating roof mount, see one here.

The mount does not have to be on the roof, but on the ground where it would be easier to daily pick up, move, and emplace. The storm could be coming up, the workers get out of the storm before the ballast is fully installed and the wind gust blows over the dish and mount, bending it into crumpled ball. Or a gust higher than designed.

Generally the dish uses a very narrow angle to 'see' the satellite, both horizontal, or vertical. Some will include audible signal strength feedback to tell if the dish is on track or not. If the dish is not tightened down well, it is possible for wind to push the dish off beam. Or an inexperienced explorer misaligned the dish, and the next time they do better. You can think of a laser beam between the transmitter and receiver. Many things could occlude the beam, e.g. distant rain, a mountain, (the explorers descend into the Grand Canon,) or someone parks next to the dish in a motor home