Transponder Monitor

Key:
D – Digital
A – Analogue

80 degreesE:
Express 6A
D – A new-to-satellite Russian TV channel entitled GTRK Sakhalin has launched on 3976 MHz RHCP, SR 2999, FEC 3/4, VPID 4130, APID 4131, ID:’CHANNEL 11′ in free-to-air MPEG-2. Sakhalin is an island located on the far eastern tip of Russia to the north of Hokkaido, Japan. This transponder is configured for Express 6A’s Zone 2 beam which is centred on Tibet and eastern Kazakhstan at 35 dBW and reaches to the mid Pacific in the East, central France in the West, Scandinavia to the North and India to the South at levels of 29 dBW. From Azerbaijan, Space TV is using 11676 MHz vertical, SR 3332, FEC 3/4, VPID 513, APID 256 in free-to-air MPEG-2. This general entertainment channel based in Baku is also available terrestrially in some regions of Azerbaijan.

75 degreesE:
LMI 1
D – Trans World Radio has joined the Russian audio package at 12605 MHz vertical, SR 1000, FEC 3/4 via APID 4102.

68.5 degreesE:
PAS 7 & 10
D – BBC Food has joined the MultiChoice Africa line-up at 10970 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 5/6, VPID 2817, APID 2818 in Irdeto encoded MPEG-2. BBC Food has also launched on 3715 MHz vertical, SR 20600, FEC 3/4, VPID 518, APID 646 in another MultiChoice Africa multiplex.

48 degreesE:
Eutelsat II-F1
D – A number of TV and radio channels have left Eutelsat II-F1 in recent days. ProSat has left 11179 MHz horizontal, SR 3254, FEC 2/3. The new-to-satellite TeleCampione has vacated 11185 MHz horizontal, SR 3254, FEC 2/3. Radio stations 102.5 Hit Radio and RTL 102.5 have departed from 11188 MHz horizontal, SR 4339, FEC 1/2 and the Italian radio multiplex at 11193 MHz horizontal, SR 1628, FEC 2/3 which contained Radio Rinacente, Radio Cooky, Radio Baby, McDonalds Radio, Day Classic, Radio Cecchetto, Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 3 has left the frequency. The channels which remain here are; EuroMed – 11592 MHz horizontal, SR 2500, FEC 2/3, VPID 3105, APID 3106; CountDown TV – 11595 MHz horizontal, SR 1665, FEC 3/4, V4194, A4195; Magic TV – 11600 MHz horizontal, SR 2895, FEC 1/2, V3601, A3604; Napoli International – 11603 MHz horizontal, SR 2168, FEC 3/4, V4194, A4195; Sardegna Uno Sat – 11605 MHz horizontal, SR 2196, FEC 2/3, V3601, A3604; RTB International – 11609 MHz horizontal, SR 2000, FEC 2/3, V3105, A3106 and Sicilia Internationale – 11612 MHz horizontal, SR 2289, FEC 2/3, V4194, A4195. All of these are in free-to-air MPEG-2. These low Symbol Rate Italian TV channels use II-F1 for cable headend delivery or as a gateway to the Eutelsat craft at 13 and 16 degrees East.

45 degreesE:
Europe*Star 1
D – This well-placed satellite continues to carry most of the westbound feed traffic out of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Although the volume of feeds from the region has reduced recently there is still a good deal of activity. The two regular broadcast multiplexes are used by Maharishi Veda Vision on 11550 MHz vertical, SR 13244, FEC 1/2 with six active streams and by British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) on 12581 MHz horizontal, SR 6000, FEC 1/2 with five active streams. The Maharishi transponder is configured for an Indian beam which covers India itself plus Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh at levels of 51-53 dBW. BFBS use the Middle East beam, which is centred, over the Gulf at 49-52 dBW.

42 degreesE:
Turksat 1C & Eurasiasat 1
D – Kiss TV has moved from 10986 MHz vertical to 10982 MHz horizontal, SR 3332, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 where it now uses a Turkish beam as opposed to a European beam. The GOD Channel and the Revival Channel have launched on 12620 MHz vertical, SR 6169, FEC 3/4, VPIDs 257/513, APIDs 258/514 in clear MPEG-2. In the StarDigital line-up at 12652 MHz horizontal, SR 22500, FEC 5/6 Dunya Radio, Alem FM and La Shik 101.8FM are all new via APIDs 1026, 1656 and 2030 respectively. M1 TV and Radyo Cool have vacated 10980 MHz vertical, SR 2344, FEC 3/4. However, M1TV has reappeared on 10980 MHz horizontal, SR 2344, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34.
A – Voice of Turkey has returned to the audio baseband on the back of TRT International at 11091 MHz vertical via the 7.92 MHz sub-carrier.

36 degreesE:
Eutelsat W4 & Sesat
D – The VPID for the Azerbaijani channel Lider TV at 12519 MHz horizontal, SR 4339, FEC 1/2 has been changed to 308, APID 256. The parameters for the Sitcom World multiplex at 12716 MHz vertical have been changed to SR 18442, FEC 1/2. There is a new Sitcom promo available here on VPID 160, APID 161.

30.5 degreesE:
Arabsat 2B
A – Libya’s Jamahiriyah Satellite Channel has now left 4160 MHz RHCP where it had been broadcasting in free-to-air Pal. This leaves just two analogue channels here – RTM 1 from Morocco on 3876 MHz RHCP and Radio Television Djibouti at 4080 MHz RHCP.

29 degreesE:
Hellas Sat 2
This orbital slot looks set to become the hot spot for Greek and Greek Cypriot TV and radio channels in the next few months. Hellas Sat, the new Greek satellite is due to start operations on February 1, 2003. This is actually the old Kopernikus 3 craft, which recently left the 23.5 degrees East slot. It carries 24 Ku-Band transponders. However, before Hellas Sat becomes operational the new Cyprus Sat is due to position here shortly after its slated launch date of August 31 this year. An unmodulated carrier from this orbital slot emerged on June 25 at 12658 MHz vertical.

28.5 degreesE:
Eurobird
D – TelSell UK has opened on 11623 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, VPID 2310, APID 2311 in clear MPEG-2. On 11661 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, VPID 2324, APID 2325 a caption is in evidence with ‘ASIANET – Sorry for the interruption. We will be back soon’. It therefore seems that the channel’s recent disappearance from Sirius at 5 degrees East (12303 MHz horizontal, SR 25541, FEC 7/8, VPID 1260, APID 1220) where it had been free-to-air for some considerable time may be due to a technical problem. A caption in the GOD package at 11681 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 2/3 on PIDs V2327, A2328 states ‘Digital Classics TV, Channel 464. No subscription required. National Classics TV, Classical Music Television (http://www.digitalclassics.tv) Mon-Fri, Sat-Sun 18:00-23:00, Vision Channel Sat-Sun 07:00-11:00.’

28.2 degreesE:
Astra 2A, 2B & 2D
D – Alpha TV Punjabi from the Zee TV stable has launched regular programming as expected on 11973 MHz vertical, Sky Digital Ch.818 in Videoguard encoded MPEG-2. There is a new ESPN Classic promo being played out on 12344 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, VPID 2349, APID 2350 in clear MPEG-2. Akash Radio, a new Punjabi language offering featuring religious programming and Bangra music has launched on 12344 MHz horizontal, APID 2331. It is located at Ch.918 in the Sky EPG. As expected Vibe TV has launched at Ch.455 in the EPG (see Transponder Monitor 4 June, 2002).

26 degreesE:
Arabsat 2A & 3A
D – In the Arabsat multiplex at 11747 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 Sharjah TV has been replaced by Bahrain TV on VPID 4160, APID 4120 in clear MPEG-2. Also, Bahrain FM and Bahrain General Programme have taken over from Sharjah FM L Radio and Sharjah Radio R Radio on APIDs 4122 and 4130. Al-Manar TV has been replaced by an Al-Majd promo on 11747 MHz vertical via PIDs V4760, A4720. Some PID changes have taken place in the Lebanese platform on 12578 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. The current parameters are; Al-Manar TV – V3160, A3120; Future International – V3260, A3220; LBC Sat – V3360, A3320; MTV – V3460, A3420; NBN – V3560, A3520; Bahrain TV – V3660, A3620; New TV – V3760, A3720; Abu Dhabi TV – V3860, A3820; Tele Liban – V3960, A3920, Radio Orient Middle East – A3221; Bahrain FM – A3621; Emirates FM – A3821 and Bahrain General Arabic Service – A3622. A Kuwait TV testcard and Modern Arabic Music are new on 12526 MHz, SR 8000, FEC 3/4 and 12549 MHz vertical, SR 8000, FEC 3/4 respectively.
A – Bahrain TV has left 12735 MHz vertical and has been replaced by a testcard. The Kuwait Main Arabic radio service has left the 8.20 MHz audio sub-carrier at 4167 MHz RHCP, home of the Kuwait Space Channel. Holy Qu’ran Radio continues to broadcast via the 5.80 MHz sub-carrier here. The Jordan Satellite Channel has vacated 12578 MHz vertical where it had been available in clear Pal. Also to leave here are Radio Jordan, Radio Amman External Service and Radio Amman FM.

23.5 degreesE:
Astra 3A
D – The Turkish channel TGRT has joined the Kabel Deutschland package at 12605 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 921, APID 922 in Betacrypt encoded MPEG-2. Over on 12605 MHz vertical, another Kabel Deutschland multiplex, MTV Base is new on PIDs V781, A782 – also encoded in Betacrypt.

21.5 degreesE:
Eutelsat II-F3
D – EuroMed is a new arrival on 11606 MHz horizontal, SR 2500, FEC 2/3, VPID 3105, APID 3106 in clear MPEG-2.

19.2 degreesE:
Astra 1B,C & E-H, Astra 2C
D The French channel No-ZAP TV, which had been airing hardcore movies during the night, has left 12633 MHz horizontal, SR 22000, FEC 5/6, VPID 160, APID 80. No-ZAP is still available on 12460 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 160, APID 80. There is a new Canal Satelite Digital multiplex for Spain on 11538 MHz vertical, SR 22000, FEC 5/6 containing Taquilla, Fashion TV, Taquilla 8, Taquilla 9, Taquilla 10, Taquilla 14 and Taquilla 15. All of these are encoded in Mediaguard with the exception of Fashion TV, which is free-to-air.
A – BR Alpha and the Swiss ADR audio channels Radio Swiss Jazz, Virus, Swiss Radio International – English service, Radio Swiss Pop and Radio Swiss Classic have moved to 11082 MHz horizontal from 11686 MHz vertical.

16 degreesE:
Eutelsat W2
D – After a break for several weeks Armenia TV has returned to 12620 MHz horizontal, SR 2314, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34. The Romanian multiplex which contains Romania 1, TVR 2, TV Romania International, Radio Romania Actualitati, Radio Romania and International Open Radio left 12714 MHz vertical for several days last week. The multiplex here is used to feed the Hotbird Romanian package on 12716 MHz vertical and as a consequence of the temporary disappearance this was off the air as well. On June 22 & 23 live coverage of the German F1 Grand Prix from Hockenheim for RTL was fed over two streams, 12542 MHz horizontal, SR 11261, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34, ID:’SERVICE 1′ – the RTL Main Feed and 12557 MHz horizontal, SR 11261, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34, ID:’SERVICE 1′ – RTL’s Pit Cam feed. Both streams were free-to-air.

13 degreesE:
Hotbird 1/2/3/4/5
D – A Khalifa TV testcard has started in the GlobeCast package at 11623 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 via VPID 228, APID 248 in free-to-air MPEG-2. This is the precursor to the launch of Khalifa TV, a new Algerian TV channel based in Paris. It comes from the Khalifa Group, which owns, amongst other things, the successful Khalifa Airways. The new channel is expected to launch in September and will broadcast programmes in the French and Arabic languages. In parallel with their outlet on Arabsat at 26 degrees East, the Main Arabic radio service from Kuwait has left the Arabsat bouquet at 12654 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, APID 1421. A new Polish mini-package has opened on 11406 MHz vertical, SR 22000, FEC 5/6 containing TVN – V512, A650; TVN 24 – V513, A660; TVN Siedem – V515, A680 and an occasional feed stream on V512, A640. Cartoon Network is once again broadcasting in the GlobeCast package at 11623 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 via VPID 3401, APID 3411 in Cryptoworks encoded MPEG-2 after a break for a few days. Tamil television Network is currently free-to-air in the Television par Satellite package on 12245 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 124, APID 134. However, this situation is probably temporary and the channel is likely to encode again soon. The Game Network left the Telespazio package at 12673 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 291, APID 292 for a couple of days last week but has now returned. Israel is to launch an Arabic and English language TV channel offering 9 hours per day of news and current affairs programming. The new channel, which is imaginatively called the New Middle Eastern Channel, will be available on 12220 MHz horizontal, SR 6161, FEC 3/4 within the RR Satellite Communications package. A promo video loop is being played out via VPID 1057, APID 1058 to promote the new channel. Film2Night is a new PPV movie service in the Greek Nova package at 12169 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 513, APID 660, encoded in Irdeto. From Paris, news of a new TV channel for the very large north African population resident in France. Beur TV, which comes from the popular French terrestrial radio network Beur FM, is expected to launch in October and will use Hotbird capacity. The channel will be free-to-air and will provide programmes in the French, Arabic and Berber languages. In the Cyfra+ package for Poland on 11283 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 162, APID 88 EuroSport is carrying out test transmissions in Cryptoworks encoded MPEG-2.

10 degreesE:
Eutelsat W1
D – The Turkish channels, STV Hazar and Burcz FM, on 11599 MHz vertical, SR 2199, FEC 5/6 have left the frequency. Galaxie Sport has joined Galaxie TV on 12702 MHz vertical, SR 2961, FEC 3/4, VPID 258, APID 259, encoded in Irdeto.

7 degreesE:
Eutelsat W3
D – The dog racing channel Go Barking Mad has left 11596 MHz horizontal, SR 30000, FEC 3/4, VPID 34, APID 35. 11595 MHz horizontal, SR 30000, FEC 3/4, VPID 34, APID 35 is sporting a caption stating ‘TeleCine ICR London. +44(0)207 636 2963, +44(0)207 208 2231, +44(0)207 308 2232’ in clear MPEG-2. ATV Avrupa (Europe) has joined the DigiTurk line-up at 11617 MHz vertical, SR 30000, FEC 3/4, VPID 2106, APID 2208. Along with all of the other occupants here ATV Avrupa is encoded in Cryptoworks.

5.2 degreesE:
Sirius 2/3 & Astra 1A
D – Two data channels have joined the Viasat package on 11881 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. They are identified in the EPG as Casino and Tvist. ChannelD TV along with the German audio services Schlager and Heimat are temporarily free-to-air on 11374 MHz vertical, SR 2169, FEC 3/4.

0.8 degrees/1 degreesW:
Thor 1, 2 & 3 & Intelsat 707
D – Nelonen Plus has left the Telenor package on 12052 MHz horizontal, SR 28000, FEC 7/8 and the stream named NRK Test 1 has vacated the Telenor line-up at 12322 MHz horizontal, SR 28000, FEC 3/4. China’s English language cultural channel, CCTV 9, has reappeared on 11014 MHz horizontal, SR 26000, FEC 3/4, VPID 512, APID 640 following an absence of around seven days.

4 degreesW:
Amos 1
D – Halozat TV is a new Hungarian TV channel on 11337 MHz horizontal, SR 3255, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 36 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

7 degreesW:
Nilesat 101 & 102
D – Arab News Network has left the Nilesat package at 11823 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. ANN is still available via Hotbird at 13 degrees East (12597 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4). The controversial Doha, Qatar based Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel has announced that as from July 1 their signal will be encoded within the A-Awa’il/ADD package at 11804 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 3093, APID 3094. Until now Al-Jazeera has been the only free-to-air channel on this frequency. On 11900 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 1003, APID 1203 a ‘VIDEO CAIRO’ testcard is present.

15 degreesW:
Telstar 12
D – The US version of Bloomberg TV has left the Cyberstar package at 11503 MHz horizontal, SR 6618, FEC 2/3. In the same package the stream at VPID 1260, APID 1220 is carrying a caption with ‘Cyberstar Helpdesk 44.175.365.4160’ in clear MPEG-2/NTSC. bTV, the Bulgarian general entertainment channel on 10989 MHz vertical, SR 4030, FEC 5/6, has new PIDs – V308, A125. The channel frequently switches between clear and encoded transmissions. Two Farsi language audio channels can be found on the Pars TV stream at 12608 MHz horizontal, SR 19520, FEC 2/3 via APIDs 323 and 403. They both contain Sedaye Iran although APID 403 is named ‘KRSI’ in the EPG. On the same frequency, Jaam-e-Jam International appears to have left VPID 402, APID 385 and has been replaced by colour bars. The German adult entertainment channel, Spice Platinum, has left 11150 MHz horizontal, SR 18386, FEC 3/4, VPID 2901, APID 2910 and has been replaced by test transmissions from the Extreme Events Channel. The Italian channels Napoli International, The Sailing Channel and 24 Ore TV have all left the Telespazio package at 11732 MHz horizontal, SR 29900, FEC 7/8.

21.3 degrees/21.5 degreesW:
NSS K, NSS 803 & NSS 7
D – On June 22 at 08:30 the GlobeCast Channel 1 stream at 11590 MHz vertical, SR 20145, FEC 3/4, VPID 1160, APID 1120 was relaying this caption; ‘PACIFIC BELL BROADCAST SERVICES. TELEVISION OPERATIONS CENTER’. At the same time down at 11563 MHz vertical, SR 6110, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34 this ID was observed; ‘CNN NEWSOURCE. ATLANTA, USA (404) 827-5621. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (525) 295-3066×24. SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (5511) 5501-6699. BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (5411) 4312-9900×10’ over colour bars.

30 degreesW:
Hispasat 1A/B/C
D – In the Retevision bouquet at 11731 MHz horizontal, SR 28156, FEC 5/6 popular TV has launched via PIDs V1001, A1002 in free-to-air MPEG-2. TV Amistad has been replaced by Nueva Era (New Era) at 12052 MHz horizontal, SR 28126, FEC 5/6, VPID 4201, APID 4202 in clear MPEG.

31.5 degreesW:
Intelsat 801
D – Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise RTS1, which is based in the Senegal capital Dakar, is free-to-air once again on 3720 MHz RHCP, SR 4882, FEC 2/3, VPID 33, APID 34 (right channel). Radio Senegal’s Chaine Nationale service is relayed on the left audio channel on APID 34.