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SAT-MidEast 98.03.27




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 

Upon your request are forwarded messages kept anonymous
_____________________________________________________________________
THE MIND BLOWER FOR THIS 98.03.27 REPORT:
	(Hey you, get off of my cloud: Tales of Twentynine)

BROADCASTER TAKE NOTICE, http://www.sat-net.com/sat-italy/
-----------------------
Since the launch of RAI's three thematic digital channels at the end of
1997, the sale of digital receivers needed to receive the new channels
has significantly increased. The total number of digital boxes sold has
risen from 150.000 to 350.000, with nearly 40% of customers buying them
principally for receiving the RaiSat services.

SME Comment: The above piece is an exerpt from Branislav Pekic
most-excellent SAT-Italy mail service. I found the increase in sold
IRD's staggering, and that for FREE-TO-AIR educational services. An
example for broadcaster to follow !

Stream, the cable subsidiary of Telecom Italia, is planning to launch
it's own digital bouquet in May/June via the Eutelsat Hot Bird (3-4)
satellite system.

EURO-SATELLITE MEETING
----------------------
The 8th annual updating course for Italian satellite equipment
installers is to take place from April 1st-4th in the town of San
Sepolcro. Taking part will be many experts from the satellite and cable
sector including: Ing. Giuliano Berretta (Eutelsat), Carlo Sartori
(RAI-Sat), Mario Rasini (Tele+), Marco Zedda (Stream)

Several important events will take place during the course including: a
presentation of Stream's new digital package of thematic channels, Tele+
will announce it's program offer for this year and RAISat will promote
the benefits of SMATV systems. There will be a special on-site
exhibition of the latest satellite reception equipment, with a special
emphasis on digital TV reception. Taking part via live satellite links
will be the Minister for posts and telecommunications Antonio Maccanico
as well as the mayors of Rome, Milan and Catania.

Part of the updating course (especially the videoconferences on April
1st and 4th) will be transmitted via the Eutelsat Hot Bird 3 satellite
in clear MPEG-2. Used is widebeam transponder 70, 12.111 GHz, V, SR
27500, FEC 2/3, PIDs 0104{260}/0105{261}, currently identified as "Promo
TeleSpazio".
(SME, source SAT-Italy)

INTELSAT ONGOING MOVES
----------------------
Intelsats Board of Governors approved a new satellite deployment plan.

Following actions are in progress/will be taken:

* the redeployment of Intelsat 801 to 31.5 West following its
replacement at 64 East by Intelsat 804, which occurred on February 1,
1998

Intelsat said in a press release that with the redeployment of Intelsat
801 to 31.5 West in April 1998, it would be better equipped to meet the
voice/data service requirements of its customers in the Atlantic Ocean
Region.

Intelsat 801 offers capacity over the Americas with a hemi beam, three
zone beams as well as a global beam, and also offers capacity over
Western Europe and Africa, which will provide for increasing Internet
requirements.

* the redeployment of Intelsat 506 to 29.5 West from 31.4 West following
the deployment of Intelsat 801 at 31.5 West.

* the deployment of Intelsat 511 to 29.5 West to replace Intelsat 506,
which will be de-orbited thereafter.

* the launch and deployment of Intelsat 805 to 55.5 West, replacing
Intelsat 512 in May/June, which then will be de-orbited thereafter.

Intelsat 805, the second Intelsat VIII-A, to be launched next May or
June, will also be providing Internet services at the 55.5 West orbital
location.
(SME, source Intelsat Press Release)

SUMMER TIME
-----------
Be aware that from Sunday, March 29th, the daylight saving time in
Europe is again introduced, so various programming schedules are to be
updated.

The difference from CAT (Central African Time - from Egypt down to South
Africa) to UTC is from that day on three hours, until the daylight
saving time is also starting here, the end of April.

LAUNCH INFORMATION, http://www.satcodx.com/launches.shtml
------------------
Panamsat announced last Friday that they will launch PAS 6B in the 4th
quarter this year with Ariane, as a replacement for PAS 6 at 43 West.
(SATCO-DX)

The originally as Thaicom 4, for Shinawatra build satellite, will be
co-located with PAS 3R, and have 32 Ku transponder in the 10.700-10.950
and 11.200-11.450 GHz frequency ranges. The PAS 6 satellite has an
ill-fated powersupply, which reduces its active lifespan in orbit, and
will be relocated to a not-so-eminent position.
(SME)

SME Comment: It is a remarkable display of workmanship. The PAS-6 launch
had been delayed, and delayed, while fears of defects in the power
supply were risen, founded in the earlier experienced loss of the
"Tempo" satellite. And now this ? I feel somebody at SS/Loral (or was it
DASA ?) will be most unhappy !

The Arianespace V108 launch of Egyptian Nilesat 101 and the Japanese
BSAT-1B is delayed from 17 to 28 April. The lift-off will be broadcast
using various satellites, which will be announced in due time in the
SAT-MidEast reports.
(SATCO-DX, source: Nilesat)

The third flight of an Ariane 5 is now set for September 11th, with the
first commercial payload, an Eutelsat satellite, either the Hot Bird 5
or the replacement telecommunication satellite for 16 degrees East, the
W2.
(SME)

Arianespace launched succesfully the CNES "Spot-4" satellite on March 24
with flight V107. The satellite does not carry any commercial TV
broadcasting equipment and will no further be followed in SAT-MidEast.
(SME)

ASIASAT 2, 100.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/asia2.shtml
---------
The MPEG-2 service of Sky News has ceased on 3.900 GHz, V.
(SATCO-DX)

THAICOM 3, 78.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/thai78.shtml
---------
Since three days a "LLK TELEPORT" Testcard on 3.520 GHz, H, has replaced
the transmissions of Sony Entertainment Television (SET).
(SME)

The MPEG-2 Reuters feeds seem to have ceased on 3.636 GHz, H.
(SATCO-DX)

APSTAR 2R, 76.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/apstar2r.shtml
---------
The Galaxy Channel (TVB8) promos in PAL/clear have returned to 4.188
GHz, V. Rumours say they will start officially in MPEG-2 on April 1st.
Frequently testing in MPEG-2/encrypted, SR 13237, FEC 3/4, can be seen
in the morning.
(SME)

A test card for adult channel "Plus 21" has replaced Chinese ZJTV on
3.760 GHz, H, PAL/clear. A Plus 21 promotional video started March 23rd,
16:30 CAT, PAL/clear, 6.60 MHz, and is shown since then daily.

Plus 21 will be analogue/clear until April 3rd, thereafter a 4-hours
broadcast daily can be received digitally encrypted from 11:00 p.m.-
03:00 a.m. Indian time (19:30-23:30 CAT). No mentioning was made on the
type of digital transmission or encoding system.

Some errors are also observed in the promo video: The satellite position
is slightly rounded up to 77 East, and the polarization of the
transponder frequency 4a, 3.760 GHz, is noted as vertical, which is
obviously not the case.

The channel claims 75 percent of the worlds population is living in the
coverage area of the transmission, which reaches Europa, Asia, Africa
and Australia.
(For the actual footprint map check the above SATCO-DX URL).

The channel is owned by ANC International Ltd. and marketed by Global
Internet Ltd. which offers a digital IRD for US$ 695 (incl.taxes) or the
equivalent in Indian rupees. Contacts can be made via:

Tel: +91-172-552119 or +91-172-554331
Fax: +91-172-553014

PANAMSAT 4, 68.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/pas4.shtml
----------
Sky News has moved in the Multichoice Africa package from 3.743 Ghz, V,
to channel 30, 4.113 GHz, V, PIDs 0202{514)/0282{642}, presently time
sharing with Carlton Select.
(SATCO-DX)

INTELSAT 703, 57 East, http://www.satcodx.com/i703.shtml
------------
The Egyptian package on 11.057 GHz, H, is in MPEG-1.5/PowerVu and
therefore not receivable with DVB compliant MPEG-2 receivers.
(SME)

COUPON 1, 55 East, http://www.satcodx.com/
--------
Coupon 1, the satellite of the Russian Central Bank, has finally stopped
responding to commands from its ground station after experiencing
serious malfunctions last week. (SAT-MidEast reported)

Bank officials as well as the manufacturing company have confirmed the
satellite was lost, calling it "space garbage". Manufacturer NPO
Lavochkina said that two stabilisers must have failed: "Our engineers
are completely baffled, this is the first failure of this kind in the
history of space flights." However, adjustments will be made to future
satellites to avoid similar problems.

The chart for this satellite has been removed from the SATCO-DX and
SAT-MidEast servers.
(SME, SATCO-DX)

GORIZONT 32, 53 East, http://www.satcodx.com/g32.shtml
-----------
Footprint map added to the SATCO-DX listing for ORT 1 on 3.675 GHz, R.
(SATCO-DX)

GORIZONT 31, 40.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/g31.shtml
-----------
Footprint link added to the SATCO-DX listing for all channels.
(SATCO-DX)

TURKSAT 1B, 30.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/turk1b.shtml
----------
Colour bars on 11.046 GHz, H, MPEG-2/clear, SR 3120, FEC 5/6, PIDs
0021{33}/0022{34}.
(SATCO-DX)

ARABSAT 2A, 26 East, http://www.satcodx.com/arab2a.shtml
----------
There has been a major shuffle among the channels in the 1st Net package
on 12.563 GHz, H and 12.605 GHz, H, in order to streamline the lay-out.

Transponder 3, 12.563 Ghz, H:
	0200{512}/028A{650}: TNT/Cartoon Network, UK (encrypted)
	0201{513}/0294{660}: LBC Plus, Lebanon (encrypted)
	0203{514}/029E{670}: Nile Drama Channel, Egypt (encrypted)
	0204{515}/02A8{680}: ESC 2, Egypt (encrypted)
	0205{516}/02B2{690}: TV 7, Tunisia (clear)
	0206{517}/02BC{700}: MBC, UK (clear)
	0207{518}/02C6{710}: TFC - The Filipino Channel (clear)
	0208{519}/02D0{720}: M-Net East (encrypted, subscr.in Egypt only)

Transponder 5, 12.605 GHz, H:
	0200{512}/028A{650}: ART 1 Variety (encrypted)
	0201{513}/0294{660}: ART 2 Sports (encrypted)
	0202{514}/029E{670}: ART 3 Children (encrypted)
	0203{515}/02A8{680}: ART 4 Movies (encrypted)
	0204{516}/02B2{690}: ART 5 Music (encrypted)
	0205{517}/02BC{700}: ART Al-Ma'aref (clear)
	0206{518}/02C6{710}: ART Ala Keyfak (clear)
	0207{519}/02D0{720}: ART Open Channel (clear)
(SATCO-DX)

SME Comment: Unfortunately are all channels still overwritten in the
channel database of the Mediamaster, when coming close to the Panamsat 4
position at 68.5 East, where the SHOWTIME package is originated, and,
for technical reasons, still is using the same datastream.

A solution is the storage of all viewed channels by performing an
"Advanced Channel Search". You will however loose the channel naming,
only a number ist stored. Anyone not knowing how to perform this small
trick, please mail me at hcroom@intouch.com 

ASTRA 1G, 19.2 East, http://www.satcodx.com/astra1g.shtml
--------
Dreams came true this week, when I was able to obtain excellent Astra 1G
reception in Cairo, Egypt with a 240 cm solid Paraclipse dish and a
NOKIA Mediamaster 9200, with software FTA 1.0.

Here a complete list of perfect receivable transponder:

TP	Freq & Pol	SymRate	FEC	-SQ-	Contents (all MCPC)
	 
65	11.720	H	27500	3/4	75-85	DF1 (IRDETO)
66	11.740	V	27500	3/4	65-75	Canal Satellite (VIACCESS)
69	11.798  H	27500	3/4	80-90	DF1 (IRDETO)
70	11.817  V	27500	3/4	60-70	Canal Satellite (VIACCESS)
81	12.032  H 	27500	3/4	70-80	DF1 (IRDETO)
82	12.051  V	27500	3/4	70-80	Pro Sieben (clear)
110	12.581  V	22000	5/6	60-70	CSD (Sp, Mediaguard)
113	12.633  H	22000	5/6	75-85	Unknown Tests

These transponder can be received under extremely good atmospheric
conditions:

67	11.758	H	27500	3/4	35-45	DF1 Premiere (IRDETO)
71	11.837	H	27500	3/4	35-45	Astra Service (mostly clear)
106	12.522	V	22000	5/6	35-45	CSD (Sp, Mediaguard)

SME Comment: Clear, the German DF1 DTH service is the absolute winner!
I suggest the Public Relations Department over there sends me a
life-time enabled smartcard for the service. In return I will send the
weekly quality observations of SAT-MidEast to the DF1 e-mailbox, if
required even in Deutsch !

Astra 1G is said to only have one beam, but the other Astra satellites
have four beams each. The interesting thing here is that reception only
can be achieved on transponders that were supposed to be on the same
beam configuration on the Astra 1E, even if they now are on Astra 1G
satellite.

A footprint is available on the SATCO-DX Astra 1G chart (see title).

SME Comment: Transponder 65, 69, 73, 77 and 81 have been on one beam,
while transponder 66, 70, 74, 78 and 82 were on another. It has to be
assumed that the difference in reception is caused by the physical
lay-out of the higher and lower antennas, or the difference could be
even on purpose, in order not to cause too much dissapointment
(especially on the Canary Islands) when the channels are returning to
their original satellite set-up, which could be expected after Astra 2A
is launched and becomes operational at 28.2 East.

WARNING: The contents of the German Pro-Sieben channel on transponder
82, 12.051 V, MPEG-2/clear, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, SQ 75-80, are NOT
suitable for younger viewers in the Middle East after 22:00 CAT,
especially on Wednesdays. The use of the parental lock, available on all
IRD's, is recommended.
(SME)

HOT BIRD 4, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb4.shtml
----------
The satellite is since last Saturday, March 21st, 07:00 CAT, on its way
to 13 East, presently at around 18 degrees East. Regular broadcasts can
be expected soon, see the table below. The official start of various
transmissions e.g. Duna TV, TPS, etc., is set for the afternoon/evening
of March 31st.

Just prior to departure from the Eutelsat position 29 East, several
transponder in the 12 GHz range have been extensively tested with
transmissions in PAL/clear: 12.226 GHz, V / 12.265 GHz, V / 12.284 GHz,
H / 12.322 GHz, H / 12.399 GHz, H.

HOT BIRD 4 - its way to glory - completing the spectrum on 13 East:
----------
	Fri, 20/03	29.0E	Transponder testing: 
	Sat, 21/03	28.0E	* 10.700 - 10.960 GHz
	Sun, 22/03	25.5E	* 12.200 - 12.340 GHz
	Mon, 23/03	24.0E	
	Tue, 24/03	22.5E   Tests halted while moving
	Wed, 25/03	21.0E   through the 19.2 East slot   
	Thu, 26/03	19.5E
	Fri, 27/03	18.0E   
	Sat, 28/03	16.5E   
	Sun, 29/03	15.0E   Expected restart of carrier tests
	Mon, 30/03	13.5E   Expected video/audio tests
	Tue, 31/03	13.0E   Expected appearance of test cards
	Wed, 01/04	13.0E   Official operational start of Hot Bird 4

Anyone who can calculate me the speed in Km/H with which Hot Bird 4 is
travelling through space ? Thanks in advance...but no prizes to win!
(SME)

HOT BIRD 3, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb3.shtml
----------
ANN on 11.766 Ghz, V, is frequently displaying a message saying that
they will switch to Hot Bird 4 transponder 122, 10.949 GHz, V.
The official startdate is set for April 10th, after the Islamic Holidays
marking the end of Haj.

The present by ANN used transponder 52, has been sub-leased from RAI,
which is expanding it's own RAI-Sat MPEG-2 services this year.
(SME, SATCO-DX)

Fashion TV, part of the French MPEG-2 package on transponder 77, 12.245
GHz, H, announces on-screen the soon-to-be-expected start of VIACCESS
encryption.
An encryption of the other clear channel in this package, Russian "WRC",
is also announced for this year.
(SME)

CFI Europe on 12.245 GHz, H, has changed already a while ago its channel
identification to CFI Peco Pro.
(SATCO-DX)

In the Telespazio package on 12.111 GHz, V, MPEG-2/clear, SR 27500, FEC
2/3, PIDs 230/231, SQ 120-130 have the colorbars in two night replaced
by pictures out of the RTBF uplink station.
>From March 25th RTBF was again broadcasted during parts of the day on
Eutelsats TDMA test channel.
(SME)

SIRUS 2, 5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/sirius.shtml
-------
Tests, with white dots and color bars scrolling slowly upwards, appeared
on 12.348 GHz, H, MPEG-2/clear, SR 3332, FEC 3/4, PIDs
0023{35}/0020{32}.

TeleSport has started on 12.348 GHz, H, MPEG-2/clear, SR 3332, FEC 3/4,
PIDs 0021{33}/0020{32}. The PIDs have changed three times since the
start of the channel: at first: 0023{35}/0020{32}, thereafter
0020{32}/0021{33} and now as mentioned above 0021{33}/0020{32).

SME Comment: That's a lot of 3's there: transponder 33, SR 3332, PIDs
33/32: I guess there's somebody superstitious or what ? ;-)

TPS, a Russian dog/horse racing channel, is the daughter company of
Satellite Information System, which also started on transponder 33.
(SME)

SIS Racing Service has started one day later on 12.334 GHz, H,
MPEG-2/clear, SR 4410, FEC 3/4, with this line-up (named as on-screen):

 	0870{2160}/0848{2120}:	EVA1 Return Monitoring
	0870{2160}/0850{2122}:	SIS Racing - Germany
	0870{2160}/0848{2120}:	SIS Racing - Europ
	0870{2160}/0848{2120}:	SIS Racing - Caribbean
	1FFF{8191}/1FFF{8191}:	Telesport - Data onl
	0870{2160}/0848{2120}:	SISLINK AD HOC
(SME)
        
BrightStar feeds on 12.226 GHz, H, with PIDs 0134{308}/0100{256} were
the CEBIT feeds for the R/3 channel in German with APID 0101{257}, which
were broadcasted only temporary from Sunday 22/03 to Wednesday 25/03.

SME Comment: The broadcasts were performed from CEBIT's DW-TV stand.
Herr Dieter Weirich in need for additional cash ? I could imagine...
Wenn was it wenn the commercials should start ?
(SME)

Merlin Communications International, a private company that now operates
the transmitters of the BBC World Service, will celebrate its first
anniversary with what it called a 24-Hour Global Interactive Multimedia
Festival on short-wave and satellite radio next Saturday, March 28.

Satellite listeners in Europe can get a digital feed on transponder 27,
12.226 GHz, H, via the Merlin Multiplex (BrightStar MPEG-2 signal).
(SME)

INTELSAT 707, 1 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i707.shtml
------------
The new channel in the Egyptian package on 4.135 GHz, L, MPEG-2/clear,
SR 26950 FEC 3/4, with PIDs 0023{35}/0024{36} are feeds for the ART from
CAIRO to FUCINO (uplink for 1stNET etc.) in Italy, it are NOT feeds for
the ERTU.
(SME)

The Israeli package on 11.015 GHz, V, with channels named EHA 1 and EHA
2, MPEG-2/clear, SR 10848, 3/4, is still being tested with changing
contents:

At times Israels commercial Channel 2, sometimes feeds, other times
foreign movies, with Hebrew undertitling. These movies could not be
detected on any other Israeli channel. Audio is not always supplied; if,
then mostly on one channel only, leaving the other empty. At times, but
rarely, the channels get encrypted.

Here the PID's for the interested:

	0101{257}/0102{258}	EHA 1
	0201{513}/0202{514}	EHA 2
	
The lower part of the used transponder: 111XA at 10.987 GHz, is still
displaying an "EMEQ HAELA" colorbar testcard in PAL/clear, however with
signal strenghts varying from hardly visible to very powerfull,
independant if the higher part of the transponder is active or not.
(SME)

INTELSAT 705, 18 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i705.shtml
------------
Occasional Italian feeds on 11.138 GHz, H, PAL/clear.
(SATC0-DX)

INTELSAT 803, 21.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i803.shtml
------------
CFI Afrique DTH started at 3.724 GHz, R, SECAM/clear, with TV audio on
5.80 and 7.20 MHz, and radio on following sub carriers:

	6.40    RFI
	6.80    empty carrier
	7.74    Cofrac
	8.20    empty carrier
	8.64    NHK Radio Japan
(SME, SATCO-DX) 

CFI Afrique Pro has started on 3.777 GHz, R, MPEG-2/Viaccess, SR 8448,
FEC 1/2, PIDs 02D1{721}/02DB{731}.
(SATCO-DX)

BFBS is still on 4.082 GHz, R, global beam, video encrypted, audio in
clear. BFBS has reduced its saturation and therefore the signal is now
very weak.
(SATCO-DX)

INTELSAT 605, 27.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i605.shtml
------------
CMT Europe on 11.170 GHz, V, is encrypted in Macrovision again. The
channel is supposed to cease on March 31st.
(SATC0-DX)

The following CFI channels have changed there names. They have both
started on Intelsat 803, on 21.5 West, and will cease on this satellite
later in the year.
	3.886 GHz, R: CFI Afrique DTH, SECAM/clear
	3.935 GHz, R: CFI Afrique Pro, SECAM/Viaccess
(SATCO-DX)

Mediterranee FM has left 3.886 GHz, R, on a sub carrier at 8.20 MHz,
behind the CFI Afrique DTH transponder.
(SATCO-DX)

PANAMSAT 1, 45 West, http://www.satcodx.com/pas1.shtml
----------
Estereo 102 seems to have left the Galavision transponder at 7.40 MHz
after 11.515 GHz, H.
(SATC0-DX)

SAT-MIDEAST INTERN, http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/
------------------
The SAT-MidEast weekly news bulletins are of-course also available on
the SAT-MidEast website at sat-net.com. However fully HTML formatted and
featuring graphs, tables, and the company logos, much more pleasing the
human eye, and not only mine, just take a look and save it for
generations to come ...!

SAT-MidEast goes, where no man ever...OK, OK, I know..... 

Best regards,

Henk C. Room / Sat-MidEast / Cairo - Egypt
____________________________________________________________________
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