Transponder Monitor

Key:
D – Digital
A – Analogue

83 degreesE:
Insat 2E&3B
D – Doordarshan’s DD8 for Andhra Pradesh in South East India on 3980 MHz vertical, SR 5000, FEC 3/4 has changed PIDs to V308, A256.

80 degreesE:
Express 6A
D – The time-shifted version of Reindeer TV (Moscow time + 2 hours) on 11491 MHz vertical, SR 4442, FEC 3/4 has changed PIDs to V276, A277 in clear MPEG-2.

78.5 degreesE:
Thaicom 2&3
D – Thai Channel 11 is dual illuminating here. In addition to the analogue signal on 3891 MHz horizontal the channel has also started on 3865 MHz horizontal, SR 4686, FEC 3/4 in clear MPEG-2.

72 degreesE:
PAS 4
D – The parameters for the occasional World Cup soccer feeds on 11585 MHz vertical have changed to SR 13497, FEC 2/3, VPID 5474, APID 5475. The bulk of the feed traffic here seems to be for Spain’s Tele Cinco, Antena 3 and Canal 1 from Seoul, South Korea. More World Cup feeds occupy 11474 MHz vertical, SR 6620, FEC 2/3 with relays for several Spanish TV channels.

68.5 degreesE:
PAS 7 & 10
D – Two ESPN streams have opened on 4117 MHz horizontal, SR 7440, FEC 7/8, V308, A256 and 4127 MHz horizontal, SR 7440, FEC 7/8, V308, A256. They are entitled ‘ESPN-Ft-Main’ and ‘ESPN-Pt’ respectively. Both streams are encoded.

62 degreesE:
Intelsat 902
D – The Indian channel ETV is now encoded on 3968 MHz LHCP, SR 9325, FEC 3/4 after a long period in the clear. ETV uses Intelsat 902’s South West beam which is centred on The Philippines at 45 dBW decreasing to 35 dBW for South Australia and central China.

45 degreesE:
Europe*Star 1
D – On 11676 MHz vertical, SR 5630, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256, ID:’FOXNEWS KABUL PATH 1′ Fox News relay frequent video material from Kabul back to the US. When not carrying feed traffic the stream cuts to colour bars overlaid with ‘FOX NEWS KABUL’ in clear MPEG-2/NTSC. What appears to be a data stream is occupying 11645 MHz vertical, SR 3000, FEC 3/4, ID:’NETWORK’. A live link from the BBC’s Lyse Doucet in Kabul was fed over 11553 MHz vertical, SR 5632, FEC 3/4, VPID 4194, APID 4195, ID:’TADIRAN SCOPUS’ in free-to-air MPEG-2 for BBC News 24 on June 10 at 09:05. Following the feed the stream cut to colour bars overlaid with ‘GLOBECAST. NEWSFORCE UKI 579. BBC KABUL. IFB TEL: 873 762 873 788’

42.5 degreesE
NewSat 1
D – The first signal that has appeared here is an IP data channel, PlanetSky, on 4000 MHz horizontal, SR 28936, FEC 3/4. NewSat 1 was previously Palapa B2R before being acquired by NewSat and relocating to this slot. It carries twenty four 36MHz C-Band transponders. There is one beam which is centred in Uzbekistan at 35 dBW falling to 26 dBW over western UK in the West and Beijing in the East. NewSat 1 is inclined by 1.8 degrees and has a life expectancy of another seven years.

42 degreesE:
Turksat 1C & Eurasiasat 1
D – In the Medya Grubu package for Turkey on 12525 MHz horizontal, SR 7138, FEC 5/6 Genc TV has been switched off on PIDs V60, A61. In the same multiplex Radyo Klas has launched via APID 39 and Soft FM is new on APID 43. Alongside new arrival M1 TV on 10981 MHz vertical, SR 2342, FEC 3/4 can be heard Cool Radyo on APID 35 (left channel). Radyo Sweet is a new arrival on the Tatlises TV stream at 11856 MHz vertical, SR 2398, FEC 7/8, APID 258. The Turkish Big Brother feeds continue on 12615 MHz horizontal, SR 3053, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34 and 12633 MHz horizontal, SR 2598, FEC 5/6, VPID 33, APID 34. The location is set alongside a lake which appears a lot more picturesque than the UK version which takes place in the BBC studio complex at Elstree, Hertfordshire. Bravo TV and Galaxy TV have migrated here from Turksat 1B at 31.3 degrees East. Both channels can be found on 11594 MHz horizontal, SR 4557, FEC 5/6, VPIDs 33/308, APIDs 34/256 in clear MPEG-2.
A – Radyo Tatlises has left the 8.10/8.28 MHz audio sub-carriers on 11048 MHz vertical, the home of Show TV. On 11025 MHz horizontal, home of Kanal D, Hur FM has left the 8.10/8.28 MHz sub-carriers.

40 degreesE:
Express A1R
This, the latest Russian DTH satellite, lifted off at 01:14 on June 10 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan . It carries a payload of 5 Ku-Band, 12 C-Band and 1 L-Band transponders.

39 degreesE:
Kopernikus DFS 3
DFS 3 has now reached this position following its move from the 23.5 degrees East slot.

36 degreesE:
Eutelsat W4 & Sesat
D – The Russian TV channel RTR is currently free-to-air in the NTV+ bouquet at 12399 MHz RHCP, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 323, APID 406. The adult channel SCT is stream sharing with EuroSport News on 12284 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, VPID 4004, APID 4105, simulcrypt in Irdeto and Viaccess.

28.5 degreesE:
Eurobird
D – Rapture TV is testing on 11545 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, VPID 2337, APID 2338 in clear MPEG-2 in readiness for the channel’s return. A Disney Channel mosaic has opened on 11546 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, VPID 2343, APID 2344 with Disney 1, 2, 3 & 4 on screen. On 11526 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 2/3 the mini-package of Arab channels remains free-to-air for the time being. It contains LBC Europe – V2314, A2315; ART Movies – V2316, A2317; ART Music – V2318, A2319 and ART Europe – V2320, A2321. McColls FM for the stores of the same name is relayed on 11623 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, APID 2308 in clear MPEG-2.

28.2 degreesE:
Astra 2A, 2B & 2D
D – Some of the Music Choice audio channels on 12188 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3 have undergone name changes. The current line-up here is: Hit List – A3329; Classic Rock – A3330; Soft Rock – A3331; Alternative Rock – A3332; Hard Rock – A3333; Old Gold – A3334; Gold – A3335; Dance – A3336; Dance Underground – A3337; Hip Hop R&B – A3338; Soul Classics – A3339; Reggae – A3340; Latin – A3341; Jazz – A3342; Modern Jazz – A3343; Big Band – A3344; Country – A3345; New Country – A3346; Blues – A3347; Classical Favourites – A3348; Orchestral Works – A3349; Classical Adventures – A3350; Baroque & Early Music – A3351; Opera & Vocal Works – A3352; Love Songs – A3353; Films & Shows – A3354; Easy Listening – A3355; New Age/Moods – A3356; German Hits – A3357; Schlager – A3358; Volksmusik – A3359; Benelux Hits – A3360; Chansons – A3361; French Hits – A3362; Bella Italia – A3363; Turk Musigi – A3364; Nordic Hits – A3365; World Music – A3366; Spirit of Ireland – A3367 and Arabe – A3368. All of these are encoded in Videoguard. The PIDs for Sky Sports Extra on 10936 MHz vertical, SR 22000, FEC 5/6 have been changed to V2521, A2313. A new religious TV channel, The Vision Channel, is sharing stream time with D Classics TV on 11681 MHz vertical, Sky Ch.464. Vision will air from 07:00-11:00 at weekends only. Alpha TV Network Punjabi is new from the Zee TV stable. Alpha is expected to launch this week and will offer a selection of movies, music, religious and family shows for the large Punjabi speaking population in the UK. Tantalise TV is a new adult channel on 12032 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, Sky Ch.989. It is on air from 20:00-04:00 nightly. It looks like the Inspiration Network may be about to make a comeback. Inspiration closed down at the beginning of June following a series of major technical problems but is rumoured to be on line for a return in the very near future. PlayUK is to close later this year due to financial difficulties. From the successful Nickelodeon group, Nick Toons is set to launch in late July. As the name suggests the new channel will offer a range of popular cartoons. According to promos running on the channel, Bangla TV is to become a subscription channel from June 24. Viewers can subscribe for GBP9.99 per month (if they sign up now – otherwise to cost is GBP10.99) or GBP99.00 per annum.

26 degreesE:
Arabsat 2A & 3A
D – KTV1, the first Kuwaiti state TV channel, has launched on 12531 MHz vertical, SR 3000, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 in free-to-air MPEG-2. Orbit Sports Channel has replaced The History Channel in the Orbit Network bouquet at 12072 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 in Mediaguard encoded MPEG. Film World has joined the Orbit package at 11996 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 592, APID 593 in Mediaguard encoded MPEG-2 and via another Orbit multiplex at 11804 MHz horizontal, SR 24570, FEC 3/4 in MPEG 1.5.

23.5 degreesE:
Astra 3A
D – Two new MediaVision packages have launched here. 12605 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 is carrying Show TV – V911, A912; Gala – V931, A932; Kanal 7 – V941, A942; RAI Uno – V951, A952; RAI Due – V961, A962; RAI Tre – V971, A972; TVE Internacional Europe – V981, A982 and Canal 24 Horas – V991, A992. On 12605 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 you can find Club – V711, A712; Liberty TV.com – V721, A722; TW 1 – V731, A732; Avante – V741, A742; K-TV Fernsehen – V751, A752; BBC Prime – V761, A762 and EuroSport News – V771, A772. All of the channels on both multiplexes are encoded in Betacrypt and are destined for German cable headends.

21.5 degreesE:
Eutelsat II-F3
D – EuroMed has replaced Antech at 11610 MHz horizontal, SR 2498, FEC 2/3, VPID 3105, APID 3106 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

19.2 degreesE:
Astra 1B,C & E-H, Astra 2C
D – At 11097 MHz vertical, SR 22000, FEC 5/6 EuroNews and TCM Espana have swapped PIDs. EuroNews is now on V164, A66 (French)/A67 (English)/A68 (Italian)/A69 (Spanish) and TCM Espana can be found on VPID 166, APID 102. Both channels are encoded in Cryptoworks. On 12148 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 2303, APID 2304 a new offering from Germany named ONTV has launched. This is a pilot project by the Bavarian State Chancellery. It provides an outlet for regional TV channels in the evenings from 17:00-23:00. You can see Oberpfalz TV from Amberg, TVA Journal (Regensburg), Danube TV (Deggendorf)RFL Drehschreibe Niederbayern (Landshut) and TRP1 Telemagazin (Passau). Home Shopping Europe Francais has left 12148 MHz horizontal.
A – Radio Maria Osterreich can be heard via the 7.56 MHz audio sub-carrier on the back of ZDF at 10964 MHz horizontal.

16 degreesE:
Eutelsat W2
D – The Italian regional channel TeleCampione has officially launched on 12680 MHz horizontal, SR 3254, FEC 2/3, VPID 33, APID 36 in clear MPEG-2. Another Italian home shopping channel, TeleVendita, has launched on 12681 MHz horizontal, SR 3255, FEC 2/3, VPID 4194, APID 4195 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

13 degreesE:
Hotbird 1/2/3/4/5
D – TRT International and TRT FM have new PIDs on 10957 MHz horizontal, SR 4339, FEC 3/4 – V308, A256/257 respectively. Also, Voice of Turkey General service and Voice of Turkey Foreign service have returned to 10957 MHz after a long break. They can be found on APIDs 261 and 264. There are two new data channels on 12539 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, namely ‘Skyplex Internal’ and ‘Minimax’. The Tamil language TRT Dish Asia Network has been replaced by a Khalifa TV testcard.
A – As expected TVE Internacional Europe has left 11224 MHz horizontal. It has been replaced by a ‘CCS Guadalajara’ testcard. The Spanish terrestrial radio stations, RNE Radio Exterior and RNE Radio 1 have also vacated 11224 MHz horizontal.

7 degreesE:
Eutelsat W3
D – A new stream has been activated in the BFBS digital platform on 11324 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 1/2, APID 467, ID:’19 BELZ20 BATUS’. To date only tone has been heard here. Go Barking Mad, which had been using 11596 MHz horizontal, SR 30000, FEC 3/4, VPID 34, APID 35 in clear MPEG-2 is now encoded. Lyg TV and Private Blue have joined the DigiTurk package on 11642 MHz horizontal, SR 30000, FEC 3/4 via PIDs V2126/2107, A2223/2214. Private Blue has left 11533 MHz vertical, SR 30000, FEC 3/4. There is a new data channel on this frequency entitled Kelyme Duzeltme. Ari Kovani is a new data stream on 11515 MHz vertical and Adams Asmaca, data again, is new on 11616 MHz vertical, SR 30000, FEC 3/4. At 11658 MHz vertical, SR 30000, FEC 3/4 the audio channels Film and Shows and Modern Jazz have been replaced by Film Music – A2537 and Musicals – A2545.

5.2 degreesE:
Sirius 2/3 & Astra 1A
D – The NTL package on 12418 MHz horizontal, SR 25541, FEC 7/8 in MPEG-2/PowerVu which contained Discovery Channel Italy, Discovery Med, Front Row50-54, Savings, Discovery Med E, Ad Hoc 2nd Audio only, New DCP, CCP and App Code has left the frequency. Asianet, a long time source of free Bollywood movies for the European Asian community, has left 12303 MHz horizontal, SR 25541, FEC 7/8, VPID 1260, APID 1220 and has been replaced by colour bars.

0.8 degrees/1 degreesW:
Thor 1, 2 & 3 & Intelsat 707
D – Sarajevo based Mreza Plus TV is using 11505 MHz vertical, SR 4067, FEC 1/2, VPID 308, APID 256 in clear MPEG-2. This transponder is configured for the Nordic beam, which delivers an EIRP of 44 dBW to Scandinavia dropping to 36 dBW over the UK, France and southern Italy requiring a dish size of 2 metres in these areas. Gospel Channel Europe has launched on 11606 MHz horizontal, SR 1539, FEC 3/4, VPID 512, APID 640 in clear MPEG-2. The very low Symbol Rate makes this channel unavailable to owners of some DVB receivers which will not decode signals of less than SR 1800. The three Big Brother Norge streams have left 12226 MHz vertical.
A – The D2 MAC signals from TV Norge and DR Klassik have been switched off at 11421 MHz horizontal

3 degreesE:
Telecom 2A
D – Feed capacity here has been heavily utilised recently as the need for more transponder space increased during the French elections. Prior to this there had been virtually no activity on Telecom 2B at all. There are now several feed transponders which carry fairly regular traffic, 12580 MHz horizontal, 12601 MHz vertical, 12652 MHz vertical and 12702 MHz vertical, SR 6111, FEC 3/4.

15 degreesW:
Telstar 12
D – The Bulgarian channel, bTV, is once again free-to-air on 10989 MHz vertical, SR 4030, FEC 5/6, VPID 308, APID 256 after a short period of encoding. Radio Tangra is also present here on APID 81 in clear MPEG-2.

21.3 degrees/21.5 degreesW:
NSS K, NSS 803 & NSS 7
D – The two Reuters feed streams which use a European beam on 11489 MHz horizontal, SR 5632, FEC 3/4 and 11568 MHz horizontal, SR 5632, FEC 3/4 are free-to-air at present. The PIDs for both streams are V512, A640. Cameroon Radio Television are using their relay on 4055 MHz RHCP, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 125, APID 135 to provide remote parts of the west African country with CRTV programmes which have been missing from their TV screens for some time. A dish has been installed in Bertoua and CRTV is downlinked from NSS 803 and redistributed terrestrially.

30 degreesW:
Hispasat 1A/B/C
D – Two radio stations, Flaix FM and Mas Radio, can be heard on 11771 MHz horizontal, SR 28121, FEC 5/6 via APID 2203. Barcelona based Flaix FM broadcasts in the Catalan language on the left channel whilst Mas Radio can be found on the right channel. Also, London’s 95.8 Capital FM is using APID 3203 here. In the Via Digital package on 11891 MHz vertical. SR 27500, FEC 3/4 Antena 3 has replaced VH-1 Europe on PIDs V4224, A4225 in Nagravision encoded MPEG-2. In addition, VH-1 has been ousted by Antena 3 on 12380 MHz LHCP, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 4192, APID 4193 in the Via Digital line-up. On the same frequency some new PPV channels have appeared, namely Palco XX – V4208, A4209; Palco X – V4224, A4225 and Palco XGay – V4240, A4241. Antena 3 Las Palmas is new on 11675 MHz horizontal, SR 17000, FEC 5/6 in the TVA Canarias package. This multiplex relays the main Spanish TV networks from mainland Spain to the Canaries. There is a new Popular TV testcard in evidence on 11731 MHz horizontal, SR 28156, FEC 5/6 in the Retevision bouquet.

37.5 degreesW:
Telstar 11 & Columbia 515
D – The un-encoded feed streams carrying live video from unmanned military aircraft over Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia have made the news in the past few days on both sides of the Atlantic. News of the existence of this sensitive video material available to anyone with a basic satellite receiving installation was broken exclusively in Transponder Monitor way back in November, 2001 yet they continue here unabated on 11495 MHz horizontal, SR 19500, FEC 2/3 in clear MPEG-2. This multiplex, which also carries CNN (US version) and CNN Headline News for US military personnel overseas, contains five streams which relay Quad, Hunter, Mars, Airscan and P3 video material. Live and almost live footage can be seen here at times. Despite denials by the US Defense Department, these streams DO carry geographical co-ordinates, flight level and time information on the screen. The five streams here are used to feed the video back to the Balkans after processing, probably from the vast US Navy base at Norfolk, Virginia.

40.5 degreesW:
NSS 806
D – TeleCaribe TV Margarita from Venezuela has launched on 4093 MHz RHCP, SR 2965, FEC 3/4, VPID 4130, APID 4131 under the ID:’Channel 11′ in free-to-air MPEG-2.

58 degreesW:
PAS 9
D – In the Japanese NHK package at 4040 MHz horizontal, SR 26465, FEC 3/4 Channel J is a newcomer on PIDs V1460, A1420 in free-to-air MPEG-2. Channel J airs from 00:00-01:00 nightly.