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How a Satellite-Assisted Broadcast Works Where to View a Satellite Program
Technical Tips for Satellite Receiving Equipment Receiver/Dish Adjustment Instructions for Some Popular Brands Satellite Selection Chart for Typical Occasional Use Satellites HOW A SATELLITE ASSISTED BROADCAST WORKS The Origination Site The Satellite Viewing Sites For Interaction The following terms refer directly to satellite programs and information contained in the Technical Fact Sheet provided for each program. SATELLITE - For broadcasts, we use satellites that are in geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles above the equator. This orbit is perfectly matched with the rotation of the earth, so it appears like the satellites are “fixed” in space above the surface of the earth. There are two types of broadband, analog communications satellites: C Band and Ku Band. Each type has its own set of uplink and downlink frequencies. You must know what band your program is on. Most contemporary analog downlink dishes can receive both C and Ku transmissions. Each satellite has a name – GALAXY, TELSTAR, etc. AZIMUTH - The arc (east-west) in the sky where synchronous satellites are located. The position of a satellite is referred to as the “coordinates,” given as “degrees east or west.” ENCRYPTION - (Scrambling) A television signal can be encrypted (scrambled). You would need a specific decoder in order to view the program. We do not encrypt/scramble our broadcasts. FDA programs are provided “in the clear.” TRANSPONDER - A specific circuit on a satellite that receives an uplink signal, modulates it to the downlink frequency, amplifies the signal and transmits it back to earth. Satellites have at least 24 transponders. LINEAR POLARITY – A technique employed to increase the capacity of a transponder. By alternating the shape of a signal (horizontal or vertical), one can double the carrying capacity of a transponder. CHANNEL – When speaking of satellite transponders, “channel” is another way of referring to the polarized signal: horizontal or vertical. DOWNLINK FREQUENCY – The radio frequency used to send a specific signal back to the surface of the earth. Each “channel” has an assigned downlink frequency. AUDIO - Each satellite video channel has two audio channels. The radio frequencies are the same for all channels: 6.2 and 6.8 MHz DIGITAL - A recent alternative to the broadband, analog signal. This type of satellite transmission utilizes small, receive-only dishes, locked or fixed on a specific satellite. Direct Broadcast Satellites (DBS) are examples of digital services, transmitting direct-to-home in the 12 GHz range and beyond. At this point in time, we do not have access to these digital satellites. Our broadcasts cannot be downlinked using DBS dishes. FOOTPRINT - A term to describe the geographic area (coverage) of a satellite signal. TECHNICAL FACT SHEET – A document that provides all relevant information for the satellite program. Sometimes, a Program Announcement is the only technical information provided. An Announcement or Technical Fact Sheet for a satellite broadcast should include all of the following information. If it doesn’t, check with the program provider to get the complete information.
There are several possible ways to view the program:
If there are no Open Sites near you and you don’t have the ability to view it at your own facility, you will need to find a local downlink/viewing site to agree to bring in the signal for you and your colleagues. To do that, first, print the Technical Fact Sheet for this event. Second, contact local folks in your area (see “Places to Try” [below] for ideas). What do I need to say to potential sites when I call them? Tell them:
If you get through this basic information without them telling you that they cannot do it for you, you can continue on through the litmus of information that follows: Tell them:
If you are able to book a site, there are still a few questions to ask them:
Be aware, some of these sites may want to charge a fee to use the facility. You may e-mail us to ask for a specific referral in your area. We will get back to you with some names and numbers, if we know of any near you. (Take care in entering your email address, otherwise we won’t be able to get back to you.) Using a Transportable Satellite Dish Using a Videoconference Room for a Satellite Event Be aware: there will be an extra fee involved for this service, even if it’s your regular provider. Basic knowledge 1. When preparing to receive a satellite broadcast, one of the most important things to know is Murphy’s law and then expect the unexpected. Do NOT wait until program test time to see if your equipment is functioning properly. One of the ways to see if your satellite dish is still pointing properly is to try to tune in:
If you can see Channel 15 but not 16, you could have a polarity problem. Try to change your polarity yourself (see Receiver/Dish Adjustment Instructions below). If you still cannot see Channel 16, you will need to have your dish serviced. If you can see Channel 16 but not 15, the same rules apply. This will not guarantee that you will be able to see a program on another satellite, but at least you will know if your dish has blown “off-satellite.” 2. Although it varies slightly by your geographic location, there are approximately 18 – 24 digits of difference for every 2 degrees of satellite spacing. So if you need to move your dish manually and you know how far you need to move it – i.e., 2 degrees – then right down your dish position before starting and either add 18 or subtract 18 from the number (going West, you add; going East, you subtract) as a starting point to find your program/satellite. 3. If it has been snowing, your dish may be filled with snow. This will cause poor reception because receiving a good signal relies on the reflection capabilities of your dish. Clean it out if possible, or you will have to live with the poor reception. 4. If your dish is located on the ground and has been there for many years, trees may have grown up in front of it, blocking clear reception. Make sure that you have an unobstructed view to the South. 5. Make sure your receiver remote control has good batteries and that you have a back-up remote control in case someone loses or misplaces one. 6. Make sure your receiver remote control has the volume level as high as it can go. All audience volume adjustments should be made on your monitor or speaker system, NOT via the satellite receiver. 7. Make sure that whoever is charged with tuning in the satellite program knows how to operate the equipment. If
that is not possible, make sure that a technical person is available in case of difficulties. Receiver/Dish Adjustment Instructions for Some Popular Brands To “Manually” move your dish COMMANDS for Chaparral MENU The arrow should be pointing at “DISH POSITION.” If so, press ENTER to activate that field and right down the 4-digit number (just so you know where you began) Use your right or left arrow buttons to make the numbers go up or down. (For instance, if you know you need to go West, the numbers need to go up; to go East, the numbers need to go down.) BIG HINT: there are typically between 18 and 24 digits for every 2 degrees of satellite position, so adding or subtracting 18 digits is a good starting point. Once you have found our program, center on the best signal, press MENU twice quickly to set in your change. Press MENU slowly several times to get you out of this menu function. NOTE: your model/options could be different. COMMANDS for General Instruments (GI) 4DTV OPTIONS ADJUST PICTURE DISH POSITION Use your right or left arrow buttons to make the numbers go up or down. (For instance, if you know you need to go West, the numbers need to go up; to go East, the numbers need to go down.) HINT: there are typically between 18 and 24 digits for every 2 degrees of satellite position. Once you have found our program, center on the best signal, press ENTER to set in your change. Press EXIT or GO BACK to get you out of this menu function. NOTE: your model/options could be different. COMMANDS for Older Model General Instrument (GI) MENU INSTALLATION PROGRAM SATELLITE DISH POSITION Use your right or left arrow buttons to make the numbers go up or down. (For instance, if you know you need to go West, the numbers need to go up; to go East, the numbers need to go down.) HINT: there are typically between 18 and 24 digits for every 2 degrees of satellite position. Once you have found our program, center on the best signal, press ENTER to set in your change. Press EXIT or GO BACK to get you out of this menu function. NOTE: your model/options could be different. To Change Polarity (also known as “Skew”) COMMANDS for Chaparral MENU #7 SAT/CHAN SET-UP MENU (if it requires a passcode, use 2345) Use your arrow keys to move the pointing arrow down to “POLARITY.” Then press ENTER to activate that field. Typical settings for polarity are 101 and 176, for these receivers. If yours says something different than one of those, try going to one of them (the closest number to what you are seeing), before trying the other number. If yours says 101, try moving it to 176 to see if it solves your problem. You use your right and left arrow keys to move the numbers up and down. Once you have found our program, center on the best signal, press MENU twice quickly to set in your change. Press MENU slowly several times to get you out of this menu function. NOTE: your model/options could be different. COMMANDS for General Instruments (GI) 4DTV OPTIONS CHANGE SYSTEM INSTALLATION SETTING CHANGE DISH FEEDHORN You should end up with a choice of “STANDARD” or “ROTATE DISH 90 degrees”. Select “ROTATE” so that your polarity changes. Press EXIT or GO BACK to get you out of this menu function. NOTE: your model/options could be different. COMMANDS for Older Model General Instrument (GI) For your convenience, here is a chart, in alpha order by satellite, which you might find helpful. Just remember, it’s more important to be at the right location than to have it called a specific name. If your receiver uses a different code to get to these, mark it in this chart and have it handy for anyone who may be tasked with bringing in a program. Satellite Selection Chart for Typical Occasional Use Satellites |
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