the invention is directed to a method of using a line voltage to heat an antenna reflector . the method includes the steps of providing an electrical heater for the antenna reflector , measuring a magnitude of the line voltage , ascertaining an ambient temperature , establishing a duty cycle for the heater dependent upon each of the measuring step and the ascertaining step , and cyclically connecting the line voltage to the heater and disconnecting the line voltage from the heater in accordance with the duty cycle . the duty cycle is defined as a percentage of total heating time in which the line voltage is electrically connected to the heater . the total heating time is a total time in which the ambient temperature is below a threshold temperature .