80 degreesE:

Express-6

• Intersputnik is to launch two new Express craft this year. Express-6A will lift off in early March and will be located at 80 degrees East and is expected to be in position and ready for service in April. Express-3A is due to launch later this year and will take over from Gorizont-26 at 11 degrees West. Both craft carry a payload of 12 C- Band and 5 Ku-Band transponders.

78.5 degreesE:

Thaicom-2&3

• *Vietnam TV (VTV) has left 3650 MHz horizontal where it had been broadcasting in the evenings in clear Pal. It is however still available in digital format on 3659 MHz horizontal, SR 26661, FEC 3/4, VPID 518, APID 710 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

68.5 degreesE:

PAS-4 & 7

• An Indian version of the children’s channel Nickelodeon has launched on 4148 MHz horizontal in encoded MPEG-2 via PIDs V1660, A1620.

62 degreesE:

Intelsat-602

• *A report for Pakistan TV News was fed over 4188 MHz RHCP at 1900 on February 17 in clear Pal. Urdu audio was available via the 6.60 MHz subcarrier. A feed of recorded material for China’s CCTV-1 from the Czech Republic was fed over 4166 MHz RHCP on February 20 at 0920 in clear Pal with audio at 6.60 MHz.

60 degreesE:

Intelsat-604

• *report on the visit by the King of Jordan to see UN troops in Kosovo was fed over 4188 MHz RHCP in clear Pal on February 19 at 1415. At the same time the other feed transponder, 4166 MHz RHCP, was active with a feed from Tehran on the elections being held in Iran.

57 degreesE:

NSS-703

• *Another rare analogue feed here this time

(see Transponder Monitor 686). On February 19 at 0740 a very weak relay of an Indian business news programme was fed over 4135 MHz LHCP in clear Pal.

42 degreesE:

Turksat-1C

• Although the Turkish channel Prima was replaced by Kiss on 10986 MHz vertical, SR 3332, FEC 3/4, VPID 512, APID 650, several weeks ago the EPG data has not changed. It still indicates “Prima” as the occupant of the stream.

36 degreesE:

Gals-1/2, Most-1, Eutelsat-II-F3

• Sicilia International has opened a new outlet on 12563 MHz horizontal, SR 2222, FEC 3/4, VPID 4194, APID 4195 in clear MPEG-2. It seems that Eutelsat-II-F3 capacity is rapidly being occupied by Italian independent TV channels. At 12588 MHz vertical, SR 2892, FEC 3/4, VPID 120, APID 121, a Nuvolari promo video is being aired in parallel with 12149 MHz vertical via Hotbird at 13 degrees East. Euro Mediterraneo opened another outlet via an SCPC carrier at 12551 MHz horizontal, SR 1672, FEC 7/8, VPID 4194, APID 4195 in clear MPEG-2 for a couple of days but this has been replaced now by a CountDown TV promo video loop (see also Hotbird 13 degrees East). On February 14 at 1020, 11095 MHz horizontal was fired up with a feed in MPEG 4:2:2. The EPG info was “ITN/LYON No.1 Enc”. On February 15 at 0740, 11071 MHz horizontal, SR 5630, FEC 3/4 was displaying this caption “SISLink 38. UKI 507. 0044(0)7801 641345” over colour bars. At the same time 11087 MHz horizontal was feeding a live report for GMTV from the warehouse of the Internet bookstore Amazon. A post feed caption identified the uplink as “SIS 33. UKI 493”. The EPG entry was “5.632 Msym/s PAL 420”. Also at 0740 a live shot from the dining room of the “GMTV house” was being relayed on 11079 MHz horizontal. The EPG data here was “5.632 Msym/s”. The parameters for the Portuguese channel, SIC Internacional, have changed. They are now SR 3254, FEC 2/3.
• *The familiar Belgacom video, still of its earth station at Liederkerke, has appeared once again on 11178 MHz horizontal in clear Pal.

30.5 degreesE:

Arabsat-2B

• *On February 11 at 1825 a report from Doha in Qatar on the state visit of the Algerian President was fed over 4085 MHz RHCP in clear Pal for Algerian TV. On February 14 the Algerian leader was in Jordan and a feed ensued at 1720, also on 4085 MHz RHCP, from Amman. Live coverage of the South Africa-vs-Tunisia soccer match was fed over 3990 MHz RHCP in clear Pal from 1630 on February 12. The Sudanese President was visiting Kuwait on February 14 and live coverage was fed over 3968 MHz RHCP at 1715. A report from Beirut for Kuwait TV was fed over 4085 MHz RHCP at 1700 on February 15 in clear Pal. On February 17 at 1610 a talk show from Lebanon was fed over 4085 MHz RHCP in clear Pal. The programme was being aired in real time on Future International and Abu Dhabi TV.

28.5 degreesE:

Kopernikus-DFS2

• n-tv has moved from 11689 MHz horizontal to 11674 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, VPID 32, APID 43. This cable headend feed is encoded in Conax. Also, NBC Europe is on the move. The channel has left 11610 MHz horizontal and can now be found at 12524 MHz vertical, SR 4444, FEC 1/2, VPID 33, APID 34 in free-to-air MPEG-2.
• *The German channel TeleClub on 11520 MHz horizontal in Pal has been broadcasting in the clear frequently over the last two weeks.

28.2 degreesE:

Astra-1D & 2A

• Radio Asia has launched on 11973 MHz vertical, APID 2325. There are two new “NTL NEWMAN STREET” testcards on 11954 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, VPIDs 2304/2316. After switching in and out of encryption for some time it looks like Zee TV is now firmly encoded on 12129 MHz vertical.

26 degreesE:

Arabsat-2A & 3A

• Ajman TV from the United Arab Emirates has launched on 12620 MHz vertical, VPID 2160, APID 2120 in free-to-air MPEG-2. This new outlet is in addition to Ajman TV’s other spots on Hotbird, Nilesat and elsewhere on Arabsat-2A/3A. The programming on the Abu Dhabi TV outlet at 11855 MHz horizontal is not in parallel with its other frequencies although the logo is identical. Presumably this is the either the domestic version of the channel or a regional variation.

23.5 degreesE:

Kopernikus-DFS1

• The UPC channel, Reality TV, as seen via Astra 19.2 degrees East and Telstar-12 at 15 degrees West, has joined the German VisionSelect cable package operated by Deutsche Telekom AG (DTAG) on 11645 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 532, APID 533. All of the channels here are encoded in BetaCrypt.

21.5 degreesE:

Eutelsat-I-F4

• This ageing craft was moved here from 25.5 degrees East. The satellite is heavily inclined so, without inclined tracking, signals are only receivable at certain times of the day. In the UK early evening (1700-1900) seems to be the best time at the moment. A Telespazio package, which is an exact copy of Telespazio’s Hotbird platform on 12111 MHz vertical, launched on 12538 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 with eleven active streams. They were Fucino testcard, NTV International, AIT International, OliSat testcard, Armenian TV, 2M, Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel, Il Tirreno Sat, Coming Soon TV, Radio Rock and Armenian Radio. All were free-to-air. However, on February 19 all of these signals were switched off leaving the satellite completely empty. There has also been some activity on 11124, 11140, 11156, 11164, 11172 and 11180 MHz horizontal with either unmodulated carriers or testcards at times. Curiously, the latest readings taken on February 20 show that the craft is on the move once more, being drifted back to the east again.
• *Apart from the digital activity, there were some Pal signals here too. Il Tirreno Sat opened on 11479 MHz horizontal in clear Pal. DigItaly launched at 11509 MHz horizontal and Fashion TV could be found at 11655 MHz horizontal in Pal. Unfortunately all of these left on February 19 too.

19.2 degreesE:

Astra 1A-C & E-G

• A Dutch language version of the National Geographic Channel has launched within the Canal Digitaal platform on 12012 MHz vertical, VPID 164, APID 96. The channel is encoded in Irdeto and Mediaguard. Quantum 24, the shopping channel, has two new audio soundtracks. German is via APID 89 – right channel, and French can be heard on the same PID but on the left channel.
• *As previously announced, JSTV – the Japanese channel for expatriates in Europe – will leave 10774 MHz horizontal at the end of this year. The channel will still be available, but in digital format via Hotbird transponder 12539 MHz horizontal.

16 degreesE:

Eutelsat-W2

• The Afghan aircraft hijack, which ended two weeks ago at Stansted in Essex, was the source of a number of satellite feeds for UK and World broadcasters. Apart from the ITN feed traffic on Eutelsat-II-F3 at 36 degrees East (see Transponder Monitor 686) several relays also appeared here. 11013 MHz horizontal, SR 5632, FEC 3/4 carried regular traffic for one of the US networks, whilst the ENEX streams, which are all located between 12509 MHz and 12562 MHz horizontal, were used frequently for reports by NTV (the Russian channel), Sky News plus several European broadcasters. House of Lords TV, which is uplinked by BT, was in the clear for a few days last week on 11304 MHz vertical. It has now returned to its normal encoded state. The PIDs for Tele Monte Carlo 2 have changed. They are now V33, A34. SIC Internacional on 12658 MHz horizontal has reverted to encryption again.
• *A live feed from Calabria for the Italian channel, Rete 4, was relayed over 10987 MHz horizontal in clear Pal from around 0915 on February 20. The programme was being aired live on Rete 4 within the Mediaset digital package

13 degreesE:

Eutelsat Hotbirds 1/2/3/4/5

• New operating software for the Nokia 9800-S digital receiver can now be downloaded from two satellites. Hotbird Tp.91, 12539 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 and Sirius (5.2 degrees East) Tp.35, 12380 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 are both carrying the software. Kanal Melodia from Russia is new on 12673 MHz vertical via APID 406. The audio channel was previously available via the Belgacom digital platform at 12476 MHz horizontal. TV Polonia, Viva and Viva Zwei have all left 12149 MHz vertical. They have been replaced by a Leonardo testcard (V128, A129), an Alice testcard (V160, A161) and a Nuvolari promo video (V176, A177). Viva has reappeared on 12520 MHz vertical, VPID 505, APID 506 in clear MPEG-2. A NRW1 testcard appeared for a few days on 11605 MHz horizontal, VPID 111, APID 112 in free-to-air MPEG-2 but had disappeared by February 19. In parallel with 12551 MHz horizontal on Eutelsat II-F3 at 36 degrees East, CountDown TV is airing its promo video on 12303 MHz vertical, VPID 235, APID 236 in free-to-air MPEG-2. The French audio bouquet which was occupying 10911 MHz vertical has moved to 10796 MHz vertical in free-to-air MPEG-2. The occupants are France Musiques (A830), Hector (A831), FIP (A832), France Inter (A833), France Info (A834), Elisa (A835), France Culture (A836), Radio Bleue (A837) and Le Mouv’ (A838). The Moroccan channel, 2M, which recently started on 12111 MHz vertical has now left that frequency. The general entertainment channel is still available in MPEG-2 though as it has just launched via Eutelsat-I-F4 at 21.5 degrees East as part of the Telespazio package on 12538 MHz vertical. Radio Sultanate of Oman has launched within the Arabsat multiplex at 12654 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, APID 1721.

10 degreesE:

Eutelsat-II-F4

• Turkish channel Ege TV is using 11588 MHz horizontal, SR 2819, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 in free-to-air MPEG-2. The EPG data reads “EGE TV SVS TELEKOM”.
• *Jet 1, a new Turkish channel, has launched on 11080 MHz horizontal in clear Pal. It airs from 1900-2100 daily. This transponder was previously occupied by Europe by Satellite.

7 degreesE:

Eutelsat-W3

• DigiTurk is carrying out some tests on 11575 MHz vertical, SR 30000, FEC 3/4. At present there are four active streams here relaying a “Barker Channel” testcard (V2102, A2202), “Welcome to DigiTurk” testcard (V2105, A2205), PPV1 testcard (V2108, A2208) and PPV2 testcard (V2109, A2210). DigiTurk continues to use 11596 MHz horizontal for the main package.

5 degreesE:

Sirius-2/3

• The Global Draw service for betting shops has left 12453 MHz horizontal. The complete Dream Family Network multiplex on 12349 MHz horizontal is now encoded in Cryptoworks.
• *Bloomberg TV UK, The History Channel and Sweden’s TV8 have all vacated 12437 MHz vertical where they had been available as a transponder share in D2MAC for some time. They have been replaced by a caption advising viewers to retune to 11823 MHz vertical. Quantum 24 has launched in clear Pal on 12437 MHz horizontal via a Nordic beam. Audio is available via the 6.50 MHz subcarrier.

3 degreesE:

Telecom-2C

• During the evening of February 16 several soccer matches for the French bouquet TPS were fed over three streams here. 12530 MHz horizontal was airing the Sedan-vs- Rennes game, 12588 MHz horizontal Nancy-vs-Metz and 12697 MHz horizontal Le Havre-vs-Rennes. The parameters for all of these were: SR 6854, FEC 7/8 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

5 degreesW:

Telecom-2B/D

• La Chaine Berbere (BRTV) is now encoded in Viaccess on 12585 MHz horizontal after a period in the clear.

12 degreesW:

Eutelsat-II-F2

• Toronto-based CITY-TV has returned to Eutelsat-II-F2. It has reappeared on 11185 MHz vertical, SR 5000, FEC 7/8, VPID 32, APID 33 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

15 degreesW:

Telstar-12

• MSNBC is coming and going on 11521 MHz horizontal, SR 5348, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 in free-to-air MPEG-2. This is probably a test for a new feeder service for European cable headends. In the UPC package on 11120 MHz horizontal, Film 1 has a new Norwegian soundtrack stream on APID 1105. Also, on 11141 MHz horizontal, UPC Club is sporting a new German audio stream on APID 1003. Reality TV, also a UPC channel, appears to have left 11141 MHz horizontal.

18 degreesW:

Intelsat-705

• The Romanian channel, Prima TV, has left 10978 MHz horizontal once again. The general entertainment channel has been occupying this slot in free-to-air MPEG-2 on and off for some considerable time.
• *At 1105 on February 14, 11134 MHz vertical was displaying this caption in clear Pal “ESTERNA 1 AO”.

21.3 degrees/21.5 degreesW:

NSS-803 & NSS-K

• There are two Reuters streams on 11550 MHz horizontal, SR 5630, FEC 3/4. They are “RTN +44 207 542 2244 EU” and “RTN IP Data”. Both streams are encoded. Last week live coverage of the Penina Golf tournament from Portugal’s Algarve coast was fed over two streams, at 11540 MHz horizontal, SR 6111, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34 for the Golf Channel and on 11520 MHz horizontal, SR 6111, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34 for Sky Sports. Both streams were in free-to-air MPEG-2. Also, the Nissan Golf Championship was relayed on the GlobeCast Ch.1 stream at 11590 MHz vertical, SR 20150, FEC 3/4. During the afternoon of February 20 live coverage of the NASCAR Daytona 500 motor race was fed over 11550 MHz horizontal, SR 5632, FEC 3/4 in clear MPEG-2/NTSC. On February 16 live coverage of the Swimming World Cup from Malmo in Sweden was fed over 11625 MHz vertical, SR 6111, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 in clear MPEG-2. The EPG entry read “Stefan Olsson”.
• *Analogue feed traffic is rare here these days but on February 14 at 1110, 11615 MHz vertical was displaying this caption: “GlobeCast Northern Europe. Brookmans Park” over colour bars. The 6.60 MHz audio subcarrier was carrying tone. However, no feed traffic was noted. Another analogue offering appeared on February 17 at 1700 when the official launch ceremony of Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 2000, was fed over 11678 MHz vertical in clear Pal.

30 degreesW:

Hispasat-1A/B/C

• Hispasat-1C has reportedly reached its geostationary slot here. So far only one sign of activity has been noted. On February 18 11730 MHz vertical was fired up with an unmodulated carrier at good signal strength.

31.5 degreesW:

Intelsat-801

• A report of farming and hunting in France was fed over 11024 MHz vertical, SR 5632, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256, on February 14 at 1115. The EPG entry read “Lille”. Following the feed the stream cut to colour bars overlaid with “LILLE BUREAU NATIONALE. TF1”.

37.5 degreesW:

Telstar-11 & Columbia-515

• A regular early evening programme feed for RTL/ProSieben Switzerland has started on 12736 MHz horizontal, SR 5632, FEC 3/4, VPID 289, APID 290. The feed seems to commence at around 1700 daily and lasts for approximately two and a half hours.

40.5 degreesW:

NSS-806

• ATC, Argentina Televisora Color, has launched a digital service on 3640 MHz RHCP, SR 19645, FEC 2/3, VPID 3101, APID 3102 in free-to-air MPEG-2. The output is in parallel with the existing analogue signal on 4169 MHz LHCP also on NSS-806.

All times in UTC unless otherwise stated.

SR	–	Symbol Rate
FEC	–	Forward Error Correction
VPID	–	Video Programme Identifier
APID	–	Audio Programme Identifier

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