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SAT-MidEast 98.06.12
WELCOME TO SAT-MIDEAST !
A news release from Cairo, Egypt, located at 31.15 East - 30.3 North,
sponsored by TELE-SATELLITE INTERNATIONAL, Europes Satellite Magazine
_____________________________________________________________________
WHAT YOU'LL FIND HERE:
- Events and News interesting to the Middle Eastern SAT-viewer
- Satellite and Transponder Observations in C- and Ku-Band,
- Everything commented from the Middle Eastern perspective
_____________________________________________________________________
WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION:
- SAT-MidEast maintains a web site with relevant Middle Eastern
- satellite information, and a regular updated, satellite based,
- archive of observations, features & news for the Middle East.
SAT-MidEast: http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/
____________________________________________________________________
HOW TO CONTACT SAT-MIDEAST:
Send relevant infos, interesting news, and creative comments to :
hcroom@intouch.com
Back issues are available at the TELE-Satellite server:
http://www.sat-net.com/listserver/sat-mideast/
_____________________________________________________________________
ARABSAT IN THE 3rd GENERATION
-----------------------------
The first satellite of the Third Generation Arabsat 3A will be launched
in the first quarter of 1999, to be dedicated for TV broadcast in the
Ku-band.
After the success of Arabsat in manufacturing and launching two
generations of satellites, Arabsat started manufacturing the first
satellite of its third generation, Arabsat 3A with unique power and
coverage: 20 transponders in Ku-band are dedicated to Direct TV
broadcasting, and each transponder can carry up to eight TV channels
when digital compression technology is used.
Arabsat 3A will be co-located with the present satellite Arabsat 2A at
the orbital location 26 East creating a HOT-SPOT. This will enable
viewers, within the coverage areas, to receive all the TV programs from
both satellites with one receiving antenna (54 transponders capable of
carrying more than 300 TV programs).
COVERAGE:
---------
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Jordan,
Lebanon, Bahrain, Syria, Iraq, Algeria, Yemen, Egypt, Oman, Tunisia,
Morocco, Mauritania, Sudan, Djibouti, and parts of Somalia, Senegal,
Mali, Niger, and Chad
With a slight lower EIRP, it also covers Portugal, Spain, France, UK,
Ireland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia,
Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria,
Turkey and parts of Romania, Poland and Denmark.
Arabsat 3A is recognized for its unique coverage for all Arab states and
most European countries, thus one transponder on one satellite covers it
all. Viewers, using one small dish, will be able to receive all TV
programs carried on the Arabsat 2A and the Arabsat 3A satellites.
Arabsat 3A Footprint map: http://www.arab.net/arabsat/3a_coverage.html
AVAILABILITY:
-------------
The Arabsat 3A tariff is very competitive. Arabsat grants special
discounts for long term leases and additional discounts when more than
one transponder is used.
Arabsat is ready to transfer any TV program carried via Arabsat 2B
located at 30.5° East to Arabsat 3A.
Reserve on Arabsat 3A now to ensure that your TV channel will be within
the most versatile and interesting satellite TV bouquet.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
-------------------------
Expected Launch Date First quarter of 1999
Planned Orbital Location 26° East
Design Lifetime 12 years
Maneuver Lifetime Capacity More than 15 years
Eclipse Full operation
Frequency Band UPlink 17.3 - 18.1 GHz uplink
Frequency Band DOWNlink 11.7 - 12.5 GHz downlink
Number of Transponders 20
Transponder Bandwidth 34 MHz
TWTA Redundancy 28 TWTAs for 20 active channels
2 rings of 14 high power chains
for 10 channels each
Polarization Linear
Cross-Polarization Isolation 30 dB
Satellite Saturation (EIRP) 48.5/44.5 dBW
Satellite (G/T) 0.2/-3.8 dB/K
Required Dish Size for DTH TV 60 - 80cm
MORE SMOKE ON THE WATER
-----------------------
An electrical fire broke out Thursday, June 4th, at the Ariane 4 rocket
launch pad in Kourou, French Guiana, Arianespace officials said last
Friday.
"Thursday, June 4 at 1525 (2:25 p.m. EDT; 1825 GMT), a fire of
electrical origin broke out in the umbilical tower of the Ariane 4
launch facility," Arianespace said in a statement.
"A technical evaluation is underway. The length of time needed for
repairs is compatible with the next Ariane 4 launch campaign scheduled
for the end of July/early August."
Luckily no injuries were reported.
SME Comment: How nasty and unwelcom this fire maybe be, it overrides
obviously the silence held by Arianespace around the scheduling of
launches (see below)
LAUNCH INFORMATION, http://www.satcodx.com/launches.shtml
------------------
So here we go: according to above report will Ariane Flight V109, as by
Sat-MidEast predicted, take place the end of July/early August. The
pay-load will most probably be the (after fire damage overhauled)
Eutelsat 3-f1 (W1) and the Sirius 3.
Ariane Flight with the PAS-6B was already earlier confirmed for August
25th.
(SME)
NOKIA MEDIAMASTER SOFTWARE
--------------------------
The latest versions of the official NOKIA's Mediamaster software for the
Multimedia Terminal series 9200 and 9600 are available for download
from:
http://www.nokia.com/products/multimedia/dl.html
For Mediamaster 9200-S: FTA 2.0
For Mediamaster 9600-S: CI 2.3 (NOTE: only for European and UK models)
Detailed information on the capabilities, changes, and known problems of
each software are available from the NOKIA site, by clicking on the
software name.
(SME, source: Amir Diab)
ASIASAT 2, 100.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/asia2.shtml
---------
* Star TV has started a new digital package on 3,744 V,
MPEG-2/StarCrypt, SR 26845, FEC 7/8, and following line-up:
Star World, ESPN India, Star Sports, Star News, NBC Asia, CNBC Asia,
Star Movies, Channel V and Star Plus.
(SATCO DX)
CHINASTAR 1, 87.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/china1.shtml
-----------
* Recently launched Chinastar 1 became already stationary at 87.5 East.
Tests in both the C- and Ku-bands can be expected from the coming week.
Any reception reports are welcomed at my or the SATCO DX mailbox.
(Christian Lyngemark)
THAICOM 3, 78.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/thai78.shtml
---------
* The longstanding empty carrier on transponder 51, 3,520 H, has ceased.
* The MPEG-2 package on 3.600 H, has been maintained, and has now beside
THAI TV5 Global Network on PIDs 512/640, seven clear "THAICOM" blueband
test cards.
Only the card on Service 6, PIDs 517/660, shows still a tiny anomality.
(SME)
APSTAR 2R, 76.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/apstar2r.shtml
---------
* One of my favorite channels: ZJTV - ZheJiang TV has left 3,760 H
again.
(SME)
PANAMSAT 4, 68.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/pas4.shtml
----------
* Very weak colour bars could be seen on 12,725 H, Indian beam.
(SATCO DX)
* In the beginning of the week a text-dia could be seen on 3,932 GHz,
H., The following text was contained: Maharishi Veda Vision starting
from 10th June 1998, 7.00 PM to 10:00 PM (India)
The channel did start punctual in PAL/clear, with audio on 6,60/7,20 MHz
14:30-17:30 CET. In off-air time the well-known animated inert of Tower
Broadcast Center is displayed.
(SME, SATCO DX)
TURKSAT 1C, 42 East, http://www.satcodx.com/turk1c.shtml
----------
* Turkish broadcaster Kanal 6 returned to 11,072 H, PAL/clear, East
beam.
(SME)
* HBB can be expected to show up in MPEG-2/clear either on Turksat 1B,
31 East or back to Eutelsat II-f2, 10 East.
(SME, SATCO DX)
TURKSAT 1B, 31 East, http://www.satcodx.com/turk1b.shtml
----------
* A "TV 8" test card has started on 11,033 H, MPEG-2/clear, SR 4688, FEC
5/6, PIDs 308/256, East beam.
(SATCO DX)
ARABSAT 2B, 30.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/arab2b.shtml
----------
* A very strong live feed for the World Cup matches on 3,991 R, with
audio on 6.60 MHz, an un-interrupted feed even in the half-time,
including slow motions of the highlights of the first half, interviews,
and lots of interesting close-ups of the audience.
(SME, source: Mohamed El Nadi)
SME Comment: There are so many feeds and channels showing the Worldcup
Soccer matches that is is an impossibility to list them all down. If in
search for specific games just check the various receivable satellites,
starting with the strongest avilable, and make you own choice of
language, or background noises.
Taste is varying so much that I cannot make - the much requested -
general recommendation for best viewing. I myself like to watch a
broadcast with a very lively and emotional commentator and a high volume
of stadium noises, which gives a lot of atmosphere, even if the language
is not completely understood. A plain accent-free commentator listing
facts, kills for me the game.
(SME)
ASTRA 1G, 19.2 East, http://www.satcodx.com/astra1g.shtml
--------
* See below at Hot Bird 1 for a message on Dutch and Belgium soccer
matches on BVN TV, 12,574 H, MPEG-2/clear, SR 22000, FEC 5/6.
(SME)
EUTELSAT II-f3, 16 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f3.shtml
--------------
* Sima-yeh Moghavemat has started on 11,680 H, PAL/clear.
(SATCO DX)
* Croatian HRT Sat has returned to 10,986 H, PAL/clear, 19:30-21:30 CET.
(Christian Lyngemark)
* Italian Music Channel TMC is back on 11,024 H, MPEG-2/clear, SR 6110,
FEC 3/4, PIDs 4096/4097.
(SATCO DX)
HOT BIRDs, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hotbird.shtml
---------
* The new French music TV channel "Planet Tekno" will start in clear on
Hot Bird, in clear, with on an audio subcarrier "Radio FG". A good place
to look for it could be Hot Bird 4 transponder 117, 10.853 H. For more
information on the background of the channel see their home page:
http://perso.club-internet.fr/klimero/
(SME, source: Christian Lyngemark)
HOT BIRD 1, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb1.shtml
----------
* All World Cup games with the Dutch or Belgian soccer team will be
broadcast via BVN TV, 11,283 V, PAL/clear
On various days where the game is outside the regular transmission times
of BVN (19:00 - 000:00 CET) broadcasting times will be extended:
13/06/98 Nederland v Belgie from 21:00 CET
20/06/98 Belgie v Mexico from 17:30 CET Note !
20/06/98 Nederland v South Korea from 21:00 CET
25/06/98 Nederland v Mexico from 16:00 CET Note !
Timing for games of eventual final rounds will be published later.
(SME)
* RAI tests are still on 11,548 V, only occasional off-air.
(SATCO DX)
* VoA News Now has started on 11,422 V, MPEG-2/clear, APID 4232, right
audio channel.
(SATCO DX)
HOT BIRD 2, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb2.shtml
----------
* In commemoration of the 8th anniversary of the founding of the Russian
Republic, NTV International was made available to large parts of Europe,
North Africa and the Middle East on 11,938 H, MPEG-2/clear, SR 20000,
FEC 3/4, PIDs 160/80, wide beam. NTV+ Nashe Kino has also started on
PIDs 161/82.
(SME, Christian Lyngemark)
On PIDs 161/82, was in the initial test phase Russian TNT and several
other very enlighting test cards, such as one for the in November to be
launched Bonum 1 System on 36 East.
(SME, source: Christian Lyngemark)
SME Comment: Eutelsat announces the soon-to-be-enlarged NTV package will
be coded in VIACCESS from September 15th, with the possible exeption of
NTV International.
* Radio Renascenca 1 and Radio Renascenca 2 have ceased on transponder
11,727 Ghz V (RTP International) CHECK !
* "RAI France 98 World Cup" has started on 11,766 V, MPEG-2/clear, in a
widescreen video format (16:9) and Dolby Surround audio, with PIDs
512/650 RAIwidescreen 14mb
514/652 RAIwidescreen 8mb
(SME, SATCO DX)
HOT BIRD 3, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb3.shtml
----------
* Various Worldcup Soccer related clear transmissions in the FT
Globecast package 12.380 V, named "ORT" on PIDs 3025/3035.
* TMT-Troche Mlodsza TV has left the Polish Digital Platform on 12,322
H.
(SME)
* Slovenian TV on transpondeer 80, 12,303 V, has performed on several
days this week encryption tests on the SLO-TEST channel with PIDs
205/206.
* During this week transponder 83, 12,360 H, has been extensively tested
with a strong carrier on widebeam, at various times. The channel was
initially reserved for an MPEG-2 package of Canal+ Polska.
(SME)
HOT BIRD 4, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb4.shtml
----------
* On Wednesday afternoon on transponder 119, 10,892 H, widebeam,
PAL/clear, an HRT blueband testcard, with audio 6.60 Mhz could be
observed with following text: "HRT - CENTAR VEZA - POZDRAV"
(SME)
* The Hot Bird Channel on 12,673 V, PIDs 210/211, was also this week a
few times replaced by the FUCINO E/S test card, and actually is still
off-air.
(SME)
HISPASAT 1A/1B, 30 West, 1A/1B: http://www.satcodx.com/hispa.shtml
--------------
* Not receivable in the Middle East, but for your background information
only: Abu Dhabi TV has started on 11,503 V, MPEG-2/clear, SR 11277, FEC
3/4, PIDs 2260/2220.
(SATCO DX)
NILESAT 101, 7 West, http://www.satcodx.com/nile101.shtml
-----------
* Lybian Jamahirya Satellite Channel has started on 11,977 V, and 11,862
V, PAL/clear, with audio on 6,60 MHz (presently only on 11,977 V).
(SATCO DX)
* Two new channels have been activated on 11,766 H, MPEG-2/clear:
1006/1206 ESC 1
1007/1207 ERTU 3
(SATCO DX)
The domestic channels on transponder 7, 11.919 H, have been officially
named as in this listing:
1002/1202/8191/602 News Nile News Channel: Logo Orange
1003/1203/8191/603 Family Nile Family Channel: Logo Pink
1004/1204/8191/604 Varitie Nile Variety Channel: Logo Red
1005/1205/8191/605 NDC Nile Drama Channel: Logo Blue
1006/1206/8191/606 Sport Nile Sports Channel: Logo Green
1007/1207/8191/607 Culture Nile Culture Channel: Logo Yellow
(SME)
* Due to several technical changes in the packages of 1stNET/ART and
Showtime some interruptions may have occured during the last week. To
avoid any breaks in reception during this nescessary maintenance the
complte Showtime package was delivered in clear for a few days (also on
Panamsat 4, at 68.5 East).
For legal reasons due to the extended technical reach of the Nilesat
beam, has "The Movie Channel" been temporary removed from 11,996 H. The
channel is still part of the data stream with SID 321, but the PIDs have
been disabled (8191).
* The Technical Department of Showtime, Dubai likes to state that
official -live- transmissions from Nilesat 101 are starting only on July
1st. More modifications to the data-stream and CA system, could become
nescessary prior to that date, in order to guarantee the best possible
service afterwards.
(SME)
SME Comment: The Nilesat uplink shows recently on several channels
severe difficulties with the audio: e.g. ERTU Channel 2, Nile Family
Channel, Bahrain TV and ON-TV of Showtime are heavily disturbed by
overmodulation. Some channels have hum and undefined noise, some
channels lack audio at all.
(SME)
INTELSAT 801, 31.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i801.shtml
------------
* ITV - Carlton TV has started on 10,987 V, MPEG-2/clear, SR 5632, FEC
3/4, PIDs 308/256.
(SATCO DX)
PANAMSAT 3R, 43 West, http://www.satcodx.com/pas3r.shtml
-----------
* MBI - Minaj Broadcasting International from Nigeria has started on
4,018 V, MPEG-2/clear, SR 6110, FEC 3/4, PIDs 33/34.
(SATCO DX)
* ART Latino is on 3,936 H, MPEG-2/clear, SR 9500, FEC 3/4.
(SATCO DX)
SATCO-DX INTERN, http://www.satcodx.com/
---------------
* A new feature is added to the SATCO DX charts from the beginning of
the week: Service ID (SID).
The SIDs are listed in parallell to the PIDs on the charts and in the
update mails. If you can get SIDs from your receivers, please send in
them as well in your contributions.
(SME)
Best regards,
Henk C. Room / Cairo - Egypt
____________________________________________________________________
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SAT-MidEast: http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/
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