Tuning into no standard satellite transmissions

[stc_bennett]

I just recieved an email from a college at ESA, giving me the following details. they are transmissions for the Shuttle and Esa launchs.

Atlantic Bird 1
Transponder B1, Channel 1 MCPC
F= 11014.17 X (Horizontal)
FEC = 3/4, MPEG-2

I know i wont be able to use the standard Sky Digi stuff. anyone got any idea what satellite equipment is needed and the cost??? any other information would be helpful

Cheers

Steve

[tvradict]

I'm no expert, but I would've thought an Analogue Dish, some sort of reciever/decoder and a TV would do the job quite nicely. Obviously it would need to be quite Hi-Tech, this sort of stuff must be available to Light Aircraft Pilots and Sailors. They have to contact people somehow when in/over the atlantic, so one which is programmable. Try the Transair shop www.transair.co.uk I think! they might have a cheap version, maplins perhaps!

[Stroudy]

Here's a site which tells you how to manually tune your digi box.. don't know if this helps.. ??

Sky stuff

[jmorgan]

NDS/Altea reaciever or simular? Also is ther e a M/SYM (mega symbol) rate? Sort of involved with the fec giving you the bandwidth
Also if the RAZ coding is on you will be buggered, unless you are told.
I was going to add that if it wasn't strapped on the bird you woudn't see it but looking at the plan it is.

>> Edited by jmorgan on Wednesday 15th January 19:58

[jmorgan]

More info
www.satcodx.com/explanation/
I have never really used this site but told its OK for info/advice.
Links at the bottom point to kit and use etc

Looking at the ESA site, the info you provide is the same so assuming its public. Guessing its a <=8 M/bit transmission? Also on the NASA site there are various options for web watching.
All this should be able to be recieved through a >60cm dish (trial and error for that size) bigger the better. The sat is a hot (high power) one. Standard 11ghz LNB should sort you. Get the lowest noise figure you can if buying new/second hand.
As for the reciever, not sure. The kit I use is broadcast stuff and aint cheap and as I don't have a dish at home myself I have no idea on domestic recievers.

>> Edited by jmorgan on Wednesday 15th January 22:01

[Marshy]

Give the guy at Tower Communications in Haddenham, Cambs a call. He's a top bloke who seems to know his radio and satellite stuff rather well. Don't know the number offhand, but they're on the web at www.towercomms.co.uk

Tell him all those stats, and I'll wager a pint that he'll tell you what kit you need. At least, judging by all the interesting looking satellite kit in his workshop, anyway.

[rich-uk]

Or you could try www.nasa.gov/ntv/ (only good if you have a fast internet connection)