48.2 West - unknown satellite - possibly Echostar

[Satfaca]

Folks, I've cought something very interesting a few steps further west from SES 14 @47.5W. I reported the mystery on a couple of other forums but so far nobody else has been able to observe the same.
There are three quite strong carriers receivable in the 12 GHz range. I was able to lock 12.390 the other night, unfortunately being short 1 dB ever since to be able to reapeat the success and observe/research the mux further. The other two carriers are 12.282 & 12.431 and are another 2 dB weaker. Lock comes with 10.6 dB (DVB-S2, 8PSK, 8/9). I've been using 2.4m PFA, unfortunately some tree obstruction prevents me from better signal.
I cannot cleary determine the polarity but speculating this being an Echostar satellite, it could well be RHCP, at least I need to rotate the polarotor some 30° from Horizontal.
Can anyone of you in the UK (or elsewhere) track this signal or maybe tell with certainty what's being received?
The above mentioned frequencies/tps match perfectly with the common US/canadian DBS tranponder layout seen on Echostar and/or Nimiq.

 

[Captain Jack]

@John one for you.

I need to try as well but doubt my 1.8m will be enough here. If it's circular, you can stick a depolarising plate in the feedhorn at a 45 degree angle and see what you get. Skew makes no difference to circular polarities.

 

[Satfaca]

Circular is no problem if there's no carrier on the oposite polarity which here is the case but still, I can see some improvement by rotating the probe.
Unfortunately still no lock for the second time so I could dig into the stream little bit more.

Dreamsat, any luck at your site?

 

[John]

@John one for you.

I need to try as well but doubt my 1.8m will be enough here. If it's circular, you can stick a depolarising plate in the feedhorn at a 45 degree angle and see what you get. Skew makes no difference to circular polarities.

.... I'll have a look - only got a 1.2 CM on Ku though but i might spot something on the analyser

 

[John]

.. I'm still investigating to pin point the exact position - I can see the beacon 12501.5 V from Eutelsat 48D (Inclined) at 48West and i can lock this Hor freq 12.360 H, see pic. I can't see anything on V pol at the moment but will keep an eye on it.
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[Satfaca]

John, East or West?! Eutelsat 48D is at 48E as far as I know, my mysterious catch is at 48W.

 

[John]

John, East or West?! Eutelsat 48D is at 48E as far as I know, my mysterious catch is at 48W.

Sorry sorry - i'll try again

 

[Satfaca]

Grrrr, on the brink of success again but shy some 0.2 dB.

 

[Captain Jack]

Literally nothing in Ku on these frequencies. Data channels are coming in OK on 11672H/30000 from 47.5W.

 

[Captain Jack]

@John anything on your end?

 

[nelson_b]

Literally nothing in Ku on these frequencies. Data channels are coming in OK on 11672H/30000 from 47.5W.

Same result as you, for me here - C.J. .. using 2.4 c.m. offset - last night.

 

[dx qwer]

@Satfaca,

please can you show us a complete spectrum from 11 GHz to 12,5GHz in one linear (horizontal + vertical) polarisation scan.

Best regards
qwer

 

[John]

@John anything on your end?

.. After my Senior moment the other day CJ i had another look last night on the 1.2 CM - found something but just double checking today to make sure it's not something off 47.5W

 

[Satfaca]

As much as the whole story can sound unbelievable, I am not giving any bull...t. I've tried with both antennas, the signal is here. Please check all these screenshots for your consideration and possible comments and/or ideas.
Unless I get another lock in the near future to record the stream, I'll transfer the Ku feedhorn to the 3.4m dish, that should work then.

 

[Captain Jack]

What's your location? Google maps gives me several options for Melmac

 

[Satfaca]

46N, 14.5E

 

[Captain Jack]

Wonder if you're in a hot spot of some sort, though logic would dictate that UK would be closer to the footprint. But UK is further north ...

 

[Satfaca]

Anyone of you old enough to recall Intelsat K?
It's like dejavu ... I remember being probably the only one in Europe at that time receiving a pixelated b&w NTSC (analog of course) channel from the latinamerican beam of this satellite. But in this case ... at least the satellite was known!

 

[dreamsat]

Hi Satfaca,

Today it is clear and I am going to this position again.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Wonder if you're in a hot spot of some sort, though logic would dictate that UK would be closer to the footprint. But UK is further north ...

Klingons ? (off the starboard bow)