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SAT Observations 97.12.12




WELCOME TO SAT-MIDEAST !
A news release from Cairo, Egypt, located at 30.3 North - 31.15 East,
sponsored by TELE-SATELLITE INTERNATIONAL, Europes Satellite Magazine.
____________________________________________________________________
WHAT YOU'LL FIND HERE:
- Satellite and Transponder Observations in C- and Ku-Band,
- Commented from the Middle Eastern perspective.
____________________________________________________________________
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 HEADLINES IN THIS 97.12.12 REPORT:
		(Is there anybody out there ?)

-- Launch Information
-- Editorials
	- Arabsat 3A
	- Nilesat 101
-- Apstar 2R active
-- Sirius 2 active
-- What else... Hot Birds active 
-- Bits & Pieces
-- SAT-MidEast Intern

LAUNCH INFO's, http://www.satcodx.com/launches.shtml
-------------
Upcoming Ariane launches:

V104	20/12	Intelsat 804
V105	23/01	Inmarsat 3-F5 & Brasilsat B3 
V106	27/02	Hot Bird 4 (probably as single payload with a 42L launcher)
V107	xx/03	Spot 4 ?
V108	xx/04	Insat 2E & Nilesat 101
(SME)

Intelsat 806 and Eutelsat W1 exchanged their respective Atlas launch
dates: The Intelsat 806, for 40.5 West, is now scheduled to launch on 16
March, and Eutelsat W1, for 10 East, is scheduled to launch on 30 April.
(SATCO DX)

ARIANESPACE ADDS CONTRACTS
--------------------------
After attributing the first of its 900 series craft to the ILS Proton,
INTELSAT's Board of Governors meeting 6-11th December in Washington have
awarded three launch contracts to Arianespace for Intelsats 902, 903 and
904. 

These SS/Loral built craft will be orbited by Ariane 5, the 902 during
the fourth quarter of 2000. This brings the Arianespace order book to 44
satellites to launch. 
(SME, Source: Arianespace)
              
ARABSAT 3A, 26 East, http://www.satcodx.com/launches.shtml
----------
The first satellite of the third generation "Arabsat 3-A", decicated for
TV broadcast in the Ku-band will be launched during the first quarter of
1999. The desgned lifetime of the satellite is 12 years, and fuel
reserves can add an additional 3 years in an inclined orbit.

Arabsat 3-A features 28 TWTA's for 20 active transponder of 34 MHz
bandwidth (two rings of 14 high power chains for 10 transponder each).
The uplink is done in frequencies from 17.300 to 18.100 GHz, the
downlink takes place from 11.700 to 12.500 GHz, both up- and down link
are linear polarized with a cross polarization isolation of 30 dB.

The satellite is fully operational during solar eclipses and has a G/T
of 0.2 dB/K to -3.8 dB/K.

Arabsat 3-A will be co-located with the present Arabsat 2A satellite on
the 26 degrees East position, creating a HOT SPOT. This will enable
viewers within the coverage area, to receive all TV programming from 54
active transponders on both satellites with one small sized dish (60 -
80 cm in the beam center), which has an estimated EIRP of 48.5 dBW.

An EIRP of 44.5 to 48.5 dBW can be received in: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
Libya, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Syria,
Iraq, Algeria, Yemen, Egypt, Oman, Tunesia, Morocco, Mauritania, Sudan,
Palestine, Djibouti, and parts of Somalia, Senegal, Mali Niger, and
Chad.

An EIRP of 40.5 to 44.5 dBW can be received in: Portugal, Spain, France,
UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Belgium, Germany, Austria,
Yugoslavia, Bosnia & Herzogovina, Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary,
Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, and parts
of Romania, Poland and Denmark.

A proforma footprint map can be retrieved from:

	 http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/maps/arab3a.gif

TRANSPONDER FREQUENCY PLAN (estimated):
--------------------------
13	H	11.722	GHz		14	V	11.742	GHz
15	H	11.766	GHz		16	V	11.786	GHz
17	H	11.810	GHz		18	V	11.830	GHz
19	H	11.854	GHz		20	V	11.874	GHz
21	H	11.898	GHz		22	V	11.918	GHz
23	H	11.942	GHz		24	V	11.962	GHz
25	H	11.986	GHz		26	V	12.006	GHz
27	H	12.030	GHz		28	V	12.050  GHz
29	H	12.074	GHz		30	V	12.094	GHz
31	H	12.118	GHz		32	V	12.138	GHz

NILESAT 101, 7 West, http://www.satcodx.com/launches.shtml
-----------
The Egyptian Satellite Co. Nilesat was established in 1996, for the
purpose of operating Direct-To-Home (DTH) Broadcasting Satellites and
their associated ground control and uplinking facilities.

The licensed capital:          500 million US$
The isssued capital:           100 million US$

	Percent	Owner 

	40%		Egyptian Radio & Television Union (ERTU)
	15%		The Egyptian Company for Investment Projects (ECIP)
	10%		Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI)
	7.5%		The National Bank of Egypt
	7.5%		Cairo Bank
	20%		Public Subscription

The 11 members of the board are as follows:

	5 members representing the ERTU.
	2 members representing the Egyptian Company for Investment Projects.
	1 member representing the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation.
	1 member representing the National Bank of Egypt.
	1 member representing Cairo Bank.
	1 member representing public subscription.

THE SATELLITE
-------------
Nilesat has contracted Matras Marconi Space (MMS) to manufacture and
launch its first satellite "Nilesat 101", with Alcatel Espace as a major
partner in charge of the communication payload. Nilesat 101 is based on
an Eurostar 2000 plattform, which has been used by MMS before in 13
satellites. 

Nilesat Digital Broadcast Center (DBC) will be constructed in the same
site with the SCS (Satellite Control Station) in 6th October City, near
Cairo.

The main constituents of DVB compression system are grouped as follows: 

	Program post production, automation and scheduling system 
	MPEG-2/ DVB Digital system 
	Uplinking RF system  

The center will be equipped with digital broadcast systems allowing to
broadcast at least 6 program channels on each transponder, each channel
can be used for: 

	One TV program
	6 Additional Audio Channels
	Data Services 

Both clear and encrypted broadcasting will be possible from the center
using DVB multicrypt conditional access (CA) route .

DIGITAL COMPRESSSION SYSTEM
---------------------------
The largest MPEG-2/DVB compression system in the Middle East was
supplied by Philips Business Electronics B.V., initially equipped to
broadcast up to 60 video channels, 120 stereo audio and data channels on
six transponder. System capabilities for Digital Data Broadcasting
(Education, Teleshopping, Internet applications, ...etc.)

RECEIVER
--------
The Nilesat Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) which shall be used for
Direct To Home (DTH) receiving will be  MPEG-2/DVB compliant  applying
common interface route for Conditional Access System implementation in
the decoder. 

By using open TV™ operating system, the decoder can be enhanced for
interactive applications to be received, opening doors to an
extensive variety of services including : 

	Free access TV
	Pay TV (subscription, PPV, IPPV, NVOD services)  
	Data services such as Teletext, home shopping, ..etc.
	Electronic Program Guide ( EPG ) 
	DVB Subtitling in any language

PLAYOUT CENTER
--------------
Playout Center will be equipped with post production, Robotic playback
VTR's, video services, scheduling and automation system. Near Video On
Demand (NVOD) will be available through these facilities .

UPLINK STATION
--------------
Uplinking facilities which are supplied by Globecomm System Inc., will
use a 6.1 m Vertex antenna to radiate 77 dBW EIRP for each satellite
transponder using 1.5 Kw Klystron amplifier from CPI. The initial
capacity is 6 channels , operated in two, each with 3+1 redundancy
configuration. Amplifier come from Communication Power Industries (CPI).

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
------------------------
The company first satellite of the first generation "Nilesat-101" will
be operated in a geostationary orbit with a payload of 12 operating
transponders optimized for Digital Multimedia DTH applications.

The contractual target date for the in-orbit delivery is the end of
1997, however at present time the satellite is scheduled for a launch
with Ariane V108 in April 1998 (subject to change).

	EIRP (Max.): 50.3 dBw
	Orbital position: 7 degrees West
	Transmission Band: 11.7 - 12.1 GHz, Ku-Band (BSS)
	No. of Transponders: 12
	Transponder Bandwidth: 33 MHz
	Channel Transmitted Power: 109W
	Satellite Dry Mass: 795 Kg
	Satellite Total Wet Mass: 1664 Kg
	Transmitting Antenna Gain: 28.9 dBi
	Receiving Antenna Gain: 28.5 dBi
	System Power Consumption (max.): 3.02 KW
	Expected Life Time: 12 Years + 3 Years in inclined orbit

ESTIMATED EIRP IN MAJOR ARAB CITIES
-----------------------------------
	EIRP(dbW)	City

	50.3	Cairo			50.2	Riyadh
	49.2	Manama			47.7	Marrakech
	50.3	Alexandria		50.1	Mecca
	49.2	Doha			47.3	Algiers
	50.2	Aswan			50.2	Tunis
	48.0	Muscat			50.2	Tripolis
	50.2	Beirut			48.2	Khartoum
	48.9	Abu-Dhabi		48.2	Baghdad
	50.3	Damascus		47.2	Mogadishu
	50.3	Aden			50.2	Jerusalem
	50.3	Amman			48.2	Djibouti
	47.7	Casablanca		47.2	Nawakshut
	
DOWNLINK Frequencies
--------------------
Remark: Please note that this are channel numbers and NOT transponder
numbers!
(SME Comment: I suspect some errors in these figures, expect later
updates)

	CH	POL	FREQ

	11	H	11.765	GHz		12	V	11.785	GHz
	13	H	11.804	GHz		14	V	11.823	GHz
	15	H	11.842	GHz		16	V	11.861	GHz
	17	H	11.881	GHz		18	V	11.900	GHz

	02	H	11.919	GHz		03	V	11.938 	GHz
	04	H	11.957	GHz		05	V	11.974	GHz
	06	H	11.996	GHz		07	V	12.015	GHz
	08	H	12.034	GHz		09	V	12.053	GHz
	10	H	12.072	GHz

CONTROL STATIONS
----------------
The Nilesat Control System includes two Satellite Control Stations
(SCS):              
The primary TTC (Tracking, Telemetry & Command) station with SCC
(Satellite Control Center) in 6th October City, Cairo.

The backup TTC station in Alexandria. The primary and backup stations
will be linked by a redundant communication network permitting transfer
of satellite and station data.

Both stations can provide Transfer Orbit Services in 17/12 Ghz Band for
Launch & Early Orbit Operation Phase (LEOP).

The satellite is scheduled for a launch, accompanied by India's Insat
2E, with Ariane V108 in April 1998 (subject to change).

INAUGURATION
------------
Minister Safwat El-Sherif visits Nilesat & celebrates Nilesat engineers'
completion of training abroad on the occasion of the handing over of
Nilesat primary satellite control station, Minister of Information, Mr.
Safwat El-Sherif has honored Nilesat on September 23rd, 1997, by making
a quick visit to Nilesat headquarters in 6th October City. 

Eng. Mahmoud Kishk, CEO of Nilesat headed the Nilesat representatives to
welcome the minister, who was accompanied by Eng. Abdel-Rahman Hafez,
ERTU Chairman, Mr. Yehia El-Alamy, ERTU Production Sector Head, Eng.
Samy Badawy, Media Production City Chairman, Mr. Hassan Hamed, ERTU VP
for Specialized Channels, and Mr. Ibrahim Sedaa, President of Akhbar
El-Youm.

The Minister expressed his admiration of the quality of the work and
effort that has been put into this project since it started in 1996,
which made a dream  come true.  On the other hand, Minister El-Sherif
held a reception in the ERTU to honor the Space Sector Engineers on
September 28th, 1997.

The fourteen engineers are divided into three categories: 3 satellite 
engineers, 5 control engineers, and 6 maintenance engineers. 
The engineers spent a period of 7 months of training on satellite
technologies, operation, as well as control stations' maintenance, which
took place in France, England, and Egypt. 

Although they are considered Egypt's pioneers in such a field, they
achieved remarkable results in a short period of time, and they are
fully qualified now to take responsibility of the first Egyptian
satellite which will be launched in January 22nd, 1998. 

The honored engineers are: Hisham El-Tohamy, Mohammed Hafez, Ahmed
Abdel-Ghany, Joseph Vector, Mohammed  Gaser, Wael Shaaban, Ahmed Gamal,
Amr Emam, Emad Samir Habib, Emad El-Bana, Mohammed Zaian, Mohammed Aref,
Mostafa Mahmoud, and Mohammed Abdel-Rafie Kamel. 

Dr. Lotfy Sakr, Head of Training and Development Department, was also
honored for his efforts in administrating the training program.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FOR EUR-AFRICA
----------------------------------------
Matra Marconi Space and Digimed, a fully-owned unit of the Cyprus
Telecommunications Authority (CYTA), have signed an agreement for the
creation of the Euro African Satellite Telecommunication (E.A.S.T)
limited Company in the U.K. CYTA is the present holder of various
un-used geostationary satellite slots, which makes it an interesting
business partner.

E.A.S.T. is a geostationary communications satellite system for Europe,
Africa and the Middle East that will provide mobile and fixed telephony
and data services in remote regions. The total cost of the programme is
estimated at US$800 million.

Matra Hautes Technologies, a unit of the Lagardere group of France, and
Nera of Norway have joined the project as members of the industrial
team.

© Copyright 1997 by Sat-ND
http://www.lynet.de/~pck/
http://www.sat-net.com/pck/

EBN/ABN/CNBC COOPERATION, OR MORE...?
-------------------------------------
Dow Jones (operator of ABN and EBN) and NBC have entered into what they
called "a global business television and Internet alliance that will
enhance the way business information is provided to audiences around the
world."

In the U.S., CNBC and Dow Jones will team to provide business news
programming on CNBC while internationally NBC and Dow Jones will
together launch signature business information channels under the CNBC
banner in Asia and Europe by merging their existing television services
into regional services. And on the Internet, the two companies will
develop a series of interactive business news and information
initiatives.

In Asia, Dow Jones and NBC will merge CNBC Asia and Asia Business News
(ABN) into a new service to be branded CNBC, and to be designated as "a
service of NBC and Dow Jones." The new service will be available in
early 1998, and is expected to reach nearly 9 million households
throughout Asia on a full-time basis and over 30 million on a part-time
basis. Additionally, the service will be "sub-branded" as Asia Business
News during an initial transition period to ensure a smooth changeover
for viewers and customers. Ownership and governance of the service will
be shared equally by NBC and Dow Jones.

In Europe, NBC and Dow Jones will merge European Business News (EBN) and
CNBC Europe to form the newly branded "CNBC: A Service of NBC and Dow
Jones." The new service will be available in nearly 15 million homes on
a full-time basis and 50 million on a part-time basis throughout Europe
beginning in early 1998.

© Copyright 1997 by Sat-ND
http://www.lynet.de/~pck/
http://www.sat-net.com/pck/

THAICOM 3, 78.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/thai78.shtml
---------
The Thai TV5 digital service on 3.520 GHz, H, has ceased. It is in the
same configuration still available from 3.480 GHz, H, although a little
less powerfull.

Reception of digital packages from this position on 3.880 and 3.920 GHz,
H, are still regularely reported but I couldn't get hold of them yet.
(SME)

APSTAR 2R, 76.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/apstar2r.shtml
---------
Two Mongolian TV channels have appeared in a MPEG-2 package on 3.840
GHz, H, SR 8398, FEC 3/4.
00FF{255}/0100{256} NMTV1 - Inner Mongolia TV -
01FF{511}/0200{512} NMCHTV1 - National Mongolia TV -
(SME, SATCO DX)

HBO will start a digital service in MPEG-2 on 4.060 GHz, V in December.
(SATCO DX)

Transponder 13B, 4.100 GHz, V, transmits now for almost two weeks a very
strong signal of unknown nature. Various reports mention the reception,
but no answers could be found on the backgrounds of this signal. 
Anybody out there knows more?
(SME)

PANAMSAT 4, 68.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/pas4.shtml
----------
Iran's Sima-yeh Moghavemat (Vision of Resistance) has started on 4.034
GHz, H, PAL, with audio on 6.60 MHz, daily from 19:30 - 21:30 CAT.
(SATCO DX)

SAT-7 on the same transponder 11, 4.034 GHz, H, has changed it's
transmission timing: now every Friday from 13:30-16:00 CAT
(SATCO DX)

INTELSAT 703, 57 East, http://www.satcodx.com/i703.shtml
------------
Khabar TV, in SECAM, has moved from 11.648 GHz, H to 11.628 GHz, H.
The audio subcarrier remains on 7:00 MHz.
(SATCO DX)

TURKSAT 1B, 31 East, http://www.satcodx.com/turk1b.shtml
----------
Some corrections should be made to earlier made statements in the SAT
Observations: All following MPEG-2 SCPC channels are only on the Eastern
(Turkey) Beam, using Horizontal polarization:

10.979	H	4557	3/4	BTV
10.997	H	4550	5/6	Kanal A
11.013	H	4179	3/4	Super Kanal
(SATCO DX)

ARABSAT 2A, 26 East, http://www.satcodx.com/arab2a.shtml
----------
Test carriers could be seen on 3.946 GHz, LC, this week. French TV 5 in
the "Moyen Orient" version is expected to start on this satellite,
possibly on this transponder.
(SME)

ART 6 started again in the 1stNET package from 12.563 GHz, H, PIDs
0207{519}/02D0{720}. At present time an ART test dia is presented with
audio of ART 5, the music channel.
(SME)

EUTELSAT II-f3, 16 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f3.shtml
--------------
New transmission times for SAT-7 on transponder 37, 11.575 GHz, V,
Friday 12:30-15:00 & Sunday 10:00-12:30 CAT.
(SATCO DX)

On the same transponder quite boring adult videos in PAL/clear could be
observed lately around 02:00-03:00 CAT.
(SME)

HOT BIRD 1, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb1.shtml
----------
Sci-Fi Channel UK has started with a named test card on transponder 2,
11.242 GHz, V, MPEG-2/Cryptoworks, PIDs 00A7{167}/006C{108}. The channel
with PIDs 00A3{163}/005C{92} has been renamed in Sci-Fi Channel
Scandinavia.

In this package is furthermore the Bloomberg Information TV channel
clear with PIDs 00A2{162}/0058{88}.
(SME)

Test transmissions of D+ (Telepiu) are on transponder 4, 11.283 V,
MPEG-2/clear, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, 01:00-19:00 CAT (sharing with the
analogue broadcasts of Dutch RNTV. Until today following line-up was
actual:

t+1 0200{512}/028A{650}	Promotional Screen
t+2 0201{513}/0294{660}	Canale 5
t+3 0202{514}/029E{670}	Match Music TV
t+4 0203{515}/02A8{680}	Promotional Screen (No Audio)
t+5 0204{516}/02B0{690}	Canale 5
t+6 0205{517}/02BA{700}	(No Video, No Audio)
t+7 0200{512}/1FFF{8191} Promotional Screen (Audio PID not set, silent)

All channels t+8 through t+15 were identical to channel t+7.

Additional on r+1 through r+25 was the audio of the promotional screen
present.

A total of 15 TV and 25 radio channels were loaded into the NOKIA
Mediamaster 9200, but don't jump out of your chair yet, evrything
changed this Friday afternoon: (all with PCR PID at 1FFE {8190})

T91	0200{512}/028A{650}	Promotional Screen 
T92	0200{512}/028A{650}	Promotional Screen
T93	0200{512}/028A{650}	Promotional Screen
T94	0200{512}/028A{650}	Promotional Screen
T95	0200{512}/028A{650}	Promotional Screen
T106	0200{512}/028B{651}	Promotional Screen (No Audio)
T107	0202{514}/029E{670}	Match Music TV
T108	0200{512}/1FFF{8191}Promotional Screen (Audio PID not set, empty)
T109	0200{512}/1FFF{8191}Promotional Screen (Audio PID not set, empty)
T110	0200{512}/1FFF{8191}Promotional Screen (Audio PID not set, empty)

HOT BIRD 3, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb3.shtml
----------
The Iran originated Jaam'e'Jam TV Network transmissions started on
12.437 GHz, H, wide beam PAL/clear, 6.60 MHz, with audio problems.

The center Jaam'e'Jam logo, which resembles a stylized flower,
incorporates the Islamic name of God: "ALLAH" in Arabic (while
untranslatable in foreign language), the rest of the texts are all in
Farsi (and English in announcement dias.) The name Jaam'e'Jam can be
translated in "globe" or (crystal) "Ball", which gives the channel a
meaningfull, although boring, name: "The Global TV Network"

On the same transponder, as part of the daily programming, transmits
also the Sahar TV Network in Arabic, also to be seen on the Express 2
satellite at 14 West, however in a different version
(SME, SATCO DX)

Adult channel Eurotica Rendez-Vous on wide beam transponder 78, 12.265
GHz, V, is encrypted in Eurocrypt S2.
(SATCO DX)

EUTELSAT II-f2, 10 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f2.shtml
--------------
On the ex-ERT, Greece transponder 33, at 11.595 GHz, H, a new MPEG-2
package could be loaded with a SR of 21.973, FEC 2/3.

The package contains of 5 channels named: Chan_1 throught Chan_5 and
PID's are appearantly not yet set as all PID figures remain on 1FFF
{8191}.
A standard message appears on-screen: "Service not currently running".
(SME)

SIRIUS 2:  http://www.satcodx.com/sirius2.shtml
--------
The Sirius 2 in-orbit tests are now finalized and the satellite has
become operational.

On December 10th SVT Europa started on 12.380 GHz, H, MPEG-2/clear, SR
27500, FEC 3/4, PIDs 0023{35}/0024{36}, on the European wide beam. Radio
Sweden is available with PID 0028{40}. The SVT programming contains
TeleText.

Soon it will be accompanied in a small package by DK 4 and Star TV.
Encryption in VIACCESS is announced and will be implemented soon.

An SVT programming forecast can be seen on TeleText pages 694-695
forward...

or from: http://www.svt.se/tabl/europa/veckor.html

A Teracom test card could be observed on 12.456 GHz, H, PAL, with an
audio subcarrier on 6.60 MHz, European beam.
(SATCO DX)

AMOS 1, 4 West, http://www.satcodx.com/amos1.shtml
------
Occasional feeds on 11.159 GHz, V, MPEG-2/clear, SR 5632, FEC 3/4, PIDs
0134{308}/0100{256}, East -Israel- beam.
(SME)

INTELSAT 605, 27.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i605.shtml
------------
Intelsat 605 is located at 27.5 West from today, 12 December and will
replace Intelsat 803 at 27.5 West on 14 December, at 02:00 CAT.

Intelsat engineers have ingeniously overcome the telemetrical
difficulties of the Intelsat 605, in fact the results were unexpected
good, so that now the satellite is ready to be put in regular operation
again.
(SME, SATCO DX)

INTELSAT 803 at 27.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i803.shtml
------------
Intelsat 803, soon replaced by Intelsat 605,  will move to it's primal
destination at 21.5 West on 19 December. The 803 satellite will offer
the greatest coverage by any spacecraft of the entire African continent.

When located at 21.5 degrees West, this latest generation satellite will
replace the INTELSAT 515, which was in the same orbital location.
However, the 803 will have greater coverage and significantly higher
power - up to 42.6 dBW at C-band and up to 52.2 dBW at Ku-band.

The 803 will be the only satellite that will enable C-band reception in
Africa with antennas as small as 1.8 meters, which makes the service
more attractive and affordable to a much broader market. The special
features of the 803 include two independently steerable Ku-band spot
beams, and inter-connectable zone and hemi beams which allow for
regional coverage and easy connections between Europe, North and South
America, the Middle East and Africa.

Through Intelsat signatories and customers such as BT, France Telecom
and Portugal Telecom, the 803 has commitments from programmers which
include Discovery, TV5 Afrique, MCM Africa, CFI, Canal+Horizons, RTP
International and RTP Africa. Others planning on transferring to the 803
include the Portuguese broadcasters RTP1, RTP2, SIC and TVI.
(SME, SATCO DX, Source: Intelsat)

SAT-MidEast Intern, http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/
------------------
The latest issues of the SAT Observations in HTML format will remain
available on the SAT-MidEast website as long as they are not have been
integrated in the individual satellite archive pages.

As you maybe have noticed, in this notice I have started to note the
PID's in both variants: HEXadecimal and DECimal, in following format: 

XXXX{aaa}/YYYY{bbb}, whereby XXXX stands for the Hexadecimal VIDEO PID,
YYYY for the Hexadecimal AUDIO PID, and {aaa} for the Decimal VIDEO PID
and, finally, {bbb} for the Decimal AUDIO PID. PCR PIDs are not
regularely noted.

This notation is an addition to the standard notation used by SATCO DX'
Webmaster.

All PIDs at SATCO DX Satellite Chart are also listed in both hexadecimal
and decimal! The hexadecimal values are shown in the actual charts and
by holding the mouse over the "V" or "A", you can see the value in
decimal on the bottom of your browser.

I think it will be a help for all of us dealing with the amazing
features of the new NOKIA FTA1.0 software for the Mediamaster 9200.
Those of you lucky enough to own a model out of the 9600 series can also
direct input the decimal figures in the Advanced Search page.
(SME)

The SAT-MidEast website got this week a few NEW niceties: the various
info tables, which were available as fixed graphics in "gif" format have
been replaced by some extra-ordinary colourful HTML programming, which
should help a little in down loading time. At least they are much
simpler and faster to update. For implicit direct-hitters, here the
URL's:

	http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/tips/channelnr.html
	http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/tips/dishsize.html
	http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/tips/hbgraf.html
	http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/tips/hextable.html
	http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/tips/warc.html
	
DO take a look at them, the least thing you can do actually, it took me
plenty of time to write the code... (you DO NOT have to like them, or
find them amazing; actually I think some of them are plain dumb)

Anyway, that's all folks for this week, get ye!

Henk C. Room / SAT-MidEast / Cairo - Egypt
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