BBC channels frequency changes on Astra 2 due on 18/10/10

[Llew]

A change of transponder frequencies of the BBC services is due to take place on Monday 18 Oct.

A list of TPs affected can be found here -

_http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/info/sat_frequencies.shtml

This will entail retuning your FTA boxes. Sky and Freesat boxes will not be affected, as the EPG will update the changes.

 

[woborny]

All down to the launch of BBC1 One HD on 3rd November - which will be on the same frequency as BBCHD currently is.

Although why not just move BBCCI and BBCEW to other frequencies, rather than move a dozen or so channels around.

Mind you, it now means that many expats can get BBC2 reception when NI and Wales move tot he verticals...!

 

[Turok]

Hello!
could this mean,that the new spotbeam,will be activated earlier,then expected?

on the bbc site i only see the old freqencys but not the new one?
when signal then,tomorow will be more focused to uk,will be maybe use same spotbeam technic ,then on the new upcoming satellite,on this positon,in around one year from now?

 

[Huevos]

could this mean,that the new spotbeam,will be activated earlier,then expected?

There is no new spot beam, just a reshuffle of the channels on the current 2D transponders, and the addition of BBC1 HD at some point in November. The earliest chance of any sort of new spot beam at 28ºE would be if Astra 1n does go there in Q2 2011, or say if something like if 3A went there temporarily. If not the first new spot beam capacity will be Q4 2012.

 

[Lumpen Computariat]

Change done.

 

[pipino]

yep,i confirm it too ...this is a big news for BBC2 around my area

 

[Analoguesat]

There is no new spot beam, just a reshuffle of the channels on the current 2D transponders, and the addition of BBC1 HD at some point in November. The earliest chance of any sort of new spot beam at 28ºE would be if Astra 1n does go there in Q2 2011, or say if something like if 3A went there temporarily. If not the first new spot beam capacity will be Q4 2012.

No chance of 3A slotting at 28E - she transmits in the Eurobird 1 frequencies

 

[Huevos]

No chance of 3A slotting at 28E - she transmits in the Eurobird 1 frequencies

Are those frequencies fixed at launch? Or is it the sub-band that is fixed, i.e. it only receives and transmits between x & y GHz? I assumed that it worked just like a tranponder on an amateur satellite, i.e. the downlink is just a linear copy of the uplink with several hundred MHz subtracted off.

 

[Analoguesat]

As far as I know they are fixed - SES certainly seems to indicate the satellite frequencies are fixed - the transmit downlink frequencies of each bird are available on the SES site.

However that doesnt mean some technical frequency hack isnt possible of course.

If anyone in the satellite fabrication industry knows better then Id be fascinated to know whats possible

 

[Channel Hopper]

As far as I know they are fixed - SES certainly seems to indicate the satellite frequencies are fixed - the transmit downlink frequencies of each bird are available on the SES site.

However that doesnt mean some technical frequency hack isnt possible of course.

If anyone in the satellite fabrication industry knows better then Id be fascinated to know whats possible

It is almost certain the downlink equipment (either TWTAs or SSPAs) is fixed at manufacture as the supplier - Boeing in this case , model BSS-376HP - is built to contract for SES, and the orbital slot/ground footprint and eastimated lifetime is known before build.

Any onboard equipment that allows adjustment of footprints, frequencies or cross-strapping would add to the complexity, weight and cost of the satellite. If it deemed not necessary during planning, then it will be left out.

A small article on the budgetary analysis of communication payloads.

_http://www.communications-center.com/pdf/SBiQ499.pdf

 

[iggy]

At last BBC2 in southern Poland, Krakow on 1,8 meter prime focus dish Excellent move from BBC, thank you

Can’t wait BBC1 in HD though

 

[Lazarus]

We UK Licence Fee payers aim to spread happiness ..................

Seriously though, I'm pleased this is actually benefiting "out of area" viewing.

 

[satelliteman]

Interesting to see the reception reports outside the Uk.

 

[iggy]

We UK Licence Fee payers aim to spread happiness ..................

Seriously though, I'm pleased this is actually benefiting "out of area" viewing.

In Krakow there are lots of Britons who buy big dishes in order to watch their favourite Coronation Street

Interesting to see the reception reports outside the Uk.

I am able to watch V polarized BBC & ITV channels using my 115/125 cm offset dish. Reception is possible throughout the day and disappears late hours until early morning.

 

[Analoguesat]

At last BBC2 in southern Poland, Krakow on 1,8 meter prime focus dish Excellent move from BBC, thank you

Can’t wait BBC1 in HD though

You probably have a year before new uk spotbeams start to appear at 28E and you lose loads of stuff so make the most of it.

 

[iggy]

You probably have a year before new uk spotbeams start to appear at 28E and you lose loads of stuff so make the most of it.

I already make plans for that Famaval 3,1 meter is within my interest. This should help I guess

 

[Huevos]

Any onboard equipment that allows adjustment of footprints, frequencies or cross-strapping would add to the complexity, weight and cost of the satellite

Yeah, but it doesn't add to complexity, it makes it less complex. Having one block-convertor (something that works similar to an LNB and down converts a whole band of frequencies in one block) is much less complicated than having 18 individual pieces of hardware (single frequency down-convertors). If you use single frequency down-convertors you need to know transponder spacing, bandwidth and SR in advance and they can't be changed after launch (except SR which could be adjusted slightly).

I think the big disadvantage with block convertor though is there is no redundancy. If this one device goes down the satellite would be space junk.

Just my thoughts... nothing to do with hard facts...

 

[Analoguesat]

I think the big disadvantage with block convertor though is there is no redundancy. If this one device goes down the satellite would be space junk.

Which is probably why they use individual twta's (travelling wave tube amplifiers) They are all monitored by the control uplink stations, and if telemetry starts to indicate one is going out of tolerance a spare can be remotely switched in to replace it.

 

[PaulR]

...they use individual twta's (travelling wave tube amplifiers)...

The PC brigade has been at it again.

When I were a lad they were known as Travelling Wave Amplifying Tubes with the appropriate acronym.

 

[Analoguesat]