**Special Satellite Telemetry Interagency Work Group (STIWG)**

**Minutes - Meeting of August 26, 1998**

Jim Doty of the US Bureau of Reclamation, the 1998 STIWG chairman,
opened the meeting. The purpose of this special meeting was to discuss
the high data rate project (HDR) and the possible purchase of test
demodulators. The meeting was held at the NOAA Silver Spring Metro
Center. A list of the attendees is attached.

Warren Dorsey talked about various aspect of the HDR project for
approximately 1 1/2 hours. His discussion included a significant amount
of technical information, status of the equipment and reviews of several
meetings he attended concerning the HDR project. He began by stating
that Vitel signed the phase II modifications in May 1998.

Warren Dorsey talked about his meeting with Vitel on August 20, 1998.
They discussed the status of Vitel\'s design work. They appear to be
approximately 2 weeks behind schedule with the DSP boards and other
components. Warren suggests more frequent visits to keep them on
schedule.

The 1200 bps interface test at Wallops was delayed again by CDA staff,
due to some software problems. Warren said that if this problem isn't
fixed within the next couple of weeks Integral Systems Inc (ISI) may be
called in to work on the micro code.

July 15, 1998 Warren attended a meeting of companies that will be
manufacturing the HDR 300/1200 bps transmitters. The attending companies
include; Vitel, Suttron, Handar/Signal Engineering and Telonics. Warren
mentioned that Synergetics and Valcom are not planning on building HDR
equipment.

As far as the Certification process goes. It was decided that each
company will be able to use the test equipment for 2-4 weeks. Cy Settles
will then go out and complete the certification process with the
manufacturer.

After a lengthy conversation, Larry Cedrone made a motion to purchase 2
test demodulators from Vitel for up to \$28,000. A letter was sent to
Warren Dorsey concerning this decision, on August 28, 1998. A copy of
the letter is attached.

A letter authorizing a transfer of funds for the GOES DCS DOMSAT service
for the next year was also prepared in August. Please see the attached
letter below.

**Next Meeting**

The next STIWG meeting will be October 21, 1998 at CDA, Wallops Island.

**Attendees**

Jim Doty USBR Boise

Jil Godesiabois NOAA/ERL/FSL

S. Ernest Dreyer NSGS/WRD

Bonnie Mason USDA Forest Service

Larry Cedrone NOAA/NWS/OH

Phil Sielaff USDI-BLM

Jim Wydick NOAA/NESDIS

Warren Dorsey NOAA/NESDIS

Michael Basileo NOAA/NOS

Tom Mero NOAA/NOS

Satellite Telemetry Interagency Working Group

1998 Chairman -- James E. Doty

**U.S. Bureau of Reclamation**

**1150 N. Curtis Road, Suite 100**

**Boise, Idaho 83706-1234**

**(208) 378-5272**

August 28, 1998

Mr. Warren Dorsey

NOAA/NESDIS/OSD3

Federal Building #4

Room 3308A, Stop D

Washington, DC 20233-9009

Dear Mr. Dorsey:

Thank you for your presentation on the status of the High Data Rate
(HDR) project to the Satellite Telemetry Interagency Working Group
(STIWG) on August 26, 1998. After your departure, the group discussed
the test demodulator issue. We unanimously approved an expenditure of up
to \$28,000 from the STIWG treasury for the purchase of two test
demodulator units. The test units, when fitted with high data rate
demodulators from the Vitel HDR contract phase 2 deliveries, may be
loaned to DCP manufacturers during their testing and certification of
high data rate GOES transmitters.

As you indicated at the meeting, it seems like the Vitel proposal for
the test sets is priced on the high side. We hope that the price can be
reduced to include two units for \$28,000 or less during the negotiation
process for the contract modification. We would also like to see a
fairly fast delivery of the test sets, perhaps coincident with delivery
of the operational HDR demodulators, if possible.

Thank you for your continued support of the STIWG activities and
specifically the high data rate development process. If you have any
questions, please contact me at (208) 378-5272.

Sincerely,

Jim Doty

1998 STIWG Chairman

cc:

Donald Carver, Office of the Federal Coordinator

**Satellite Telemetry Interagency Working Group**

**1998** **Chairman** ‑ **James** E. **Doty**

U.S. **Bureau** **of** **Reclamation**

**1150 N. Curtis Road, Suite 100**

**Boise**, **Idaho 83706‑1234**

**(208) 378‑5272**

> August 11, 1998
>
> Mrs. Kay Collins
>
> U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA/NESDIS
>
> Budget and Planning Office
>
> FB#4, Room 0207
>
> Washington, DC 20233
>
> Dear Mrs. Collins:
>
> As the 1998 Chairman of the Satellite Telemetry Interagency Working
> Group (STIWG), I hereby authorize the initiation of a Reimbursable
> Task Plan to transfer funds for the GOES DCS DOMSAT service. Funds in
> the amount of \$35,124.00 are authorized to cover DOMSAT option year
> number 8, from October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999.
>
> Thank you for your continued support of the STIWG activities and
> specifically the DOMSAT contract. If you have any questions, please
> contact me at (208) 378‑5272.
>
> Sincerely,

Jim Doty

1998 STIWG Chairman

Donald Carver, Office of the Federal Coordinator

Cyril A. Settles, Wallops CDA Station

Marlin 0. Perkins NOAA/NESDIS‑OSDPD