Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Sun, 20 Dec 1992 02:52:27 -0500
From:         Monty Solomon <monty@PROPONENT.COM>
Subject:      Re: FOOTPRINT, British Newsletter 1 (long)

> >FOOTPRINT - the satellite newsletter of The European Satellite User Group.
>

> While a new source of info is ALWAYS welcome, is it possible to explain why
> this text (over 2600 lines of it) was in such a narrow format? If it was
> read in with a hand scanner, it could have been reformatted to a more
> standard 75 chars wide. The present format is very difficult to read,
> especially for someone like myself who is visually impaired.

Here is a reformatted version

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE NICE COMMENTS ABOUT THE LAST EDITION OF FP.  PLUS SOME
SLIGHTLY NEGATIVE ONES, THEY WANT TO SEE THE NEWS SEPARATE TO THE
INFORMATION SECTIONS.  THIS WE WILL TRY AND ACHIEVE FOR YOU.  SOME SAD NEWS IS
THAT CHRIS HAS LEFT TESUG H/Q.  WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK CHRIS FOR HIS
INVOLVEMENT OVER THE PAST YEAR AND WISH HIM ALL THE BEST IN THE FUTURE.  THE
GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE NOW HAVE A BETTER COMPUTER SYSTEM AND INFO CAN NOW BE
PULLED OFF-SCREEN.  FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE CONFUSED, THIS IS WHY
FIONA HAS BEEN ABLE TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH YOU SO EASILY.  IN ADDITION
THERE IS A NEW LIST OF SHEETS FOR THE SATELLITES.  IN THIS ADDITION YOU WILL
FIND A MASTER SHEET AND REFERENCE NUMBERS.  IF YOU WANT SPECIFIC DETAILS ON
THE SATS YOU ARE RECEIVING THEN YOU CAN ORDER THEM JUST LIKE ANY OTHER FACT-
SHEET.  HELP US BY ORDERING THE CORRECT SAT SHEET NO.  IN THIS MONTHS ADDITION
LOTS OF NEWS AND WE TAKE A LOOK AT 'STAR TV', A FREE SATELLITE SYSTEM.  THE
SURVEY RESULTS AND SERVICING BEFORE THE WINTER ARRIVES, PLUS YOUR LETTERS
and REPLIES FROM THE OLD MARRIED MAN HIMSELF.

NEW FROM TRAC....The latest addition to their range of modified BSB
equipment is the SRB1 TRAC PAL.D2MAC receiver.  The receiver has 60

programmable channels PAL, D2 Mac, or D Mac Remote Control, On-Screen
Graphics, Menu drive (everything is programmed via the

handset/on-screen menus), live D2 Mac information, 40 pre-set channels,

D2 Mac digital sound, prefered language facility, background/
foreground sound mix, 16:9 picture format option, Manual or automatic
panning (this is for HD), fully tunable PAL audio, Videocrypt decoder
socket, selectable LNB option, external 12 volt switch feed facility and
the out- puts include RGB, video, audio and UHF.  But why should you look at a

re- worked receiver with so many cheap do-it-yourself modification

sheets going around?  Infact many are partial copies of the work originated

by Trac.  The direct answer is not all of us are electronics experts and as
such a company like Trac do offer you some security if things go wrong
providing the initial cost of the receiver is not too high.  In the case of
Trac, who many have critised for charging for the converted BSB boxes, have
again come up with a winning receiver.  The main reason why Trac are able to
continue with their research and developement is that they do charge
sensible prices for their receivers and also this enables them to offer

good customer back up, something we are very keen on.  However, if you do want

a touch of do-it- yourself then Trac will offer you a conversion kit.  This is
also a lot easier than trying to work things out for yourself.  On to the
receiver.  First the one and only moan, when is the stereo audio coming?  That
out of the way, we can only describe the receiver as great value for money.
Lets hope that Trac have located a warehouse full of old BSB equipment.  The

picture quality is very good and the changes from Mac to Pal are only
noticeable due to the degrading of the Pal standard.  Once you get the hang of
the comprehensive on-screen-menu it is very easy to customise the
receiver to suit your needs.  Our first satellite location was 19.0 west,
TVSat, TDF and Olympus.  The idea being to swop between polarizations and

video standards.  It was no surprise to us that the picture quality and
changes from one satellite standard to another was very good.  Pictures

from Raisat were very good.  You have probably read our previous reports on
the Trac receivers and therefore we are not going to repeat our previous
comments.  But it is fair to state that the quality we have seen in the past has

been reproduced again.  The changes are more important.  The new look menu

means that you can directly connect the new box to your 14/18v LNB.  The
12volt external feed is also very useful.  This can be used to change over
switches.  How about a 5volt switch Trac?  That would be useful.  You could use
that in conjunction with a Global Extender.  Then it could be used to extend
the IF by 500Mhz.  To explain that, it means you could get to other

frequencies even though you may not have the LNB to normally get there.  The
Global switch works with 5volts and this would be useful on this box.  The
decoder socket is via a din socket and the video out is on pin 3 and return in
 on
pin 5.  This is another good use of the old BSB box and Trac will certainly sell
many of these boxes.  If you are still sitting on the fence when it comes to
Mac, this will certainly offer you a very cost effective way of getting into
Mac.  It will also give you, albeit a mono one, a back-up Pal receiver should
your main set fail at any time.  We have certainly enjoyed the use of this
receiver, its ease of use and flexibility.  You can contact Trac on ;

Tel +44(0)642 468145 or by Fax +44(0)642 440927.  Contact Bob Exelby.

MIMTEC AND REVOX TOGETHER?

Since Revox launched their 38cm horn, which was originally launched over 3
years ago by American based Microbeam, it has received mixed reviews.  The
bonus is that it is small.  But the down side is that it has a very wide beam
width.  This means that it can see more than one satellite at the same time.
This could cause interference problems.So why would Mimtec want to join up

with Revox.  The answer is the SRR 1750 radio receiver.  We have now had the

chance to try things out and we can only say we were surprised.  The major

reason why it works so well is the fact that we were not interested in video
results.  We knew that the Mimtec box produced radio when the video level was

so low that it was not watchable.  This is due to the filtering system that
Mimtec use in their sound boards.  Just for fun, we do say for FUN, the crazy
thought was to bring the Revox horn into the front office, stand it behind a
window and see what would happen.  Now we have to say this is a very low-tech
test as we do not have a good access to 19.2 from our office.  A quick check of

the compass revealed that.  So to begin with we moved a vehicle in the way and

fitted up the dish inside Fiona's car.  To screams of don't damage my car, the

Revox was duly mounted and moved very close to the drivers window.

Elevation adjusted and in came Wendy Lloyd from Radio Luxembourg.  It was a
few dBs lower than we would normally expect from Astra but it worked.  Noise,
what noise?  The connection of some high-tech meters did show noise on the
signal, but the Mimtec cleaned up the signal.  Now there is a long way to go
before full scientific tests are completed.  Yet it does look as though some
will soon be able to receive at least satellite radio without having to
worry about dish regulations.  We hope that these very early tests can go
some way to helping many who are not able to gain the benefits of satellite.

SERVICING THE DISH, AGAIN?  If you live in a snow filled country servicing is
an obvious thing, albeit forgotten about, that needs to be done every year.

Yet why should you bother in hot, warm areas?  To ensure longer life from your
equipment as is the case for the snowy areas of Europe.  Hot weather damages
seals, connections and plastic covers.  This can cause damage to the
external part of your system.  In the same way cold and snow can cause damage.

Therefore you should ALL SERVICE your dish and connections.  Fixed dish
owners need only worry about the 'F' connector and polarisor wires where
applicable.  To begin with make sure that you have de- powered your receiver
and/ or positioner.  Check and clean all the external connections.  These

should be re-sealed with a high melting point, non- conductive grease or
self- amalgamating tape.  If you use tape always put a further covering of

PVC tape around the self- amalgamating to protect it from ultra violet

rays.  U.V.  can damage S.A.  tape.  Motorised systems should have all
fittings greased, where applicable and actuators clean and serviced.  If

you are not sure contact your dealer and avoid degrading in pictures or the

final downer of NO PICTURES.



INSIDE ' STAR TV ' Following on from letters we have all seen and read we are
now taking a look at another TV network, being Star TV broadcasting to Asia.

The first thing that hits you in the face is their advertising, "Over 40,000

hours of programming a year.  Only on STAR TV.  Asia's free satellite
service".  Yes you did read it right Star TV is free, but what about the
programmes.  The five channel network is very similar to the old BSB system
in the UK or the new Norweigan network.  The line up includes MTV (Asian
style), Prime Sports, The Chinese Channel, BBC World Service and Star
Plus, not bad for free!!  The MTV channel is very similar to that which we all
know and the BBC World service TV is also as we know it.  Prime Sports, well
known in America, brings sport both recorded and live from around the world
and Star are quick to point out that it brings European Cup Tournaments to

the screen.  The Chinese Channel brings viewers of all ages a traditional
mix of shows together with contemporary output.  The line-up includes

documentaries, comedy, drama and children's programmes from all over
Asia.  Star Plus is a family entertainment channel.  This includes a wide

range of local programmes plus shows from the USA and Europe.  Mr David

Manion, Vice President of Star TV in Korea, is very proud of the fact that the
network is free which also includes other areas.  The Vice President in the
Philippines, Mr Kevin Mcintyre said," At present we have over 100,000
viewers in the Philippines watching Star TV and that number is growing by

leaps and bounds each day.  There is a massive market for the service

throughout the country - it seems as though we have barely skimmed the
surface." The Hong Kong government issued a licence on December 22, 1990,

to HutchVision to operate a pan-Asian, satellite television service

through AsiaSat 1.  AsiaSat was launched on April 7th 1990 via a Chinese Long

March III rocket.  The satellite is owned by Cable & Wireless plc, China
International Trust & Investment Corporation and Hutchinson Whampoa
Ltd.  On May 15th 1991 Star TV's preview channel was launched, which ha now
developed into 5 channels.  Star are located in Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong.
They have a purpose built post-production and uplink complex.  Although
Star started with only 1 channel they very quickly grew to 5; MTV 15/09/91
BBC W.S.  TV 14/10/91 Chinese Channel 21/10/91 Star Plus 15/12/91 Star Tv
uses, as do many in Europe and America, Panda 1 sound.  They have also had
problems with cable companies who do not offer full stereo from satellite.
Their solution is to suggest the cable systems also have FM circuits.  This
enables the stereo audio to be received via the radio.  Although, as Star

point out, it does mean that each time you change TV channels you have to
alter the radio setting.  They are also keen to point out that if all else
fails, go out and buy a satellite dish.  Although those with Pal on a Nicam TV

set can have a Nicam modulator installed at the point where the satellite
signals are received.  Nicam an acronym for 'Near Instantaneously

Companded Audio Muliplexing, is a system that enables two sound tracks to
be received at the same time.  It is anable however, to provide any more than
two.  Yet you will get better quality audio from the TV sound track.
Noticeable by its absence, is radio.  However, that may change.  Interest

has been shown by Star in offering radio.  Much of which will originate in
Europe.  This may mean that European stations will get a little closer to
being world wide.  Although Star is free to viewers they have not ruled out

Pay-TV systems.  The owners,HutchVision, said, "We will primarily pursue
a free-to-air strategy with the Star TV service.  However, we will also
develop a wholesale- distribution business through the direct sales of
programming to the more than 150 terrestrial broadcasters within the
AsiaSat 1 footprints.  In addition, HutchVision will look at premium or

Pay-TV type of services across the region in full compliance with the laws
of Hong Kong and the countries covered by AsiaSat 1 footprints.  If Star TV
were to introduce a pay-TV service, it would be in addition to its five
FREE-TO-AIR channels.  1992 saw after-tax profits for the holding company

of Star TV standing at HK$3,328 million.  Owners of the parent company,

Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd had combined after-tax profits of HK$11,805

million.  At the top of all the companies is Mr Li Ka-shing who, with his

family, financed the entire capital required for the Star TV project.

However, the amount required to fund the project was not forthcoming.

(TESUG COMMENT- WHAT ABOUT 5 FREE CHANNELS IN EUROPE)





!!!!  TESUG SURVEY !!!!  Thank you for sending in the survey sheets so here is

the way you see things.  First the channels you watch, with the most watched

regularly at the top.  However, your specific favourites are later in the
survey results.  THE CHANNELS YOU WATCH; Sky News Sky Movies + CNN The Movie
Channel MTV Sky Sports Super Channel Eurosport RTL+ Commedy Channel
Discovery Sat 1 Filmnet Eins + \Screensport \Lifestyle *3 Sat *Pro 7 *RTL 4
*Tele 5 ~TCC ~TV5 |MCM |Adult Channel Canal + /Teleclub /ARTE /TV3 /Rai Uno
/Rai Duo *The Childrens Channel *Antenne 2 *TV1000 *Canal Jimmy \The
Learning Channel \M6 \TF1 \TV4 \TVE \D.W.  \Galavision Where there is a

symbol along one or more stations it means that they tied for that position.

For example the symbol '*' by RaiSat,Atenne 2, TV1000 and Canal Jimmy means
that they all polled the same amount of votes.  The above are the channels you

watch, your favourites are next.

YOUR FAVOURITES This is a list of channels that you voted your 'favourite
channel' in the survey, again they are your number 1 channel at the top;

DISCOVERY Sky Sports CNN Sky News Filmnet Eurosport Sky Movies *Movie
Channel *RTL 4 *Sky 1 |Screensport |Super Channel |MTV |Adult Channel |The
Childrens Channel |3 Sat |Canal + \MCM \Antenna 2 \Eins + \Arte \Galavision
Again a graphic shows that there was a tie for position.  Now on to the radio
results.

RADIO SURVEY RESULTS Again the stations shown are your most favourite at
the top and so on down the sheet.  Yet again Luxy is the winner, well done to
them.  RADIO LUXEMBOURG QEFM Holland FM Radio Caroline Sky Radio Hits FM
*BBC World Service *Sunrise \Power FM \Supergold |D.W.  |RTL4 Radio
/V.O.A.  Europe /Euronet *Radio 10 Gold *Hector *Opus \Radio Contact \SWF3
\Starsat \Solar

From all the sheets received 75% regularly listened to satellite radio,
with 25% saying they did not tune in.  The time you spent listening to radio
was; 19.00 - 03.00 followed by 12.00 - 19.00 then 09.00 - 12.00 finally
before 09.00.  The hours listened were also pleasing for the radio stations

as it supported other research which suggested we on average listen for
about 10 hours a week to radio.  TESUG COMMENT.- If you look back at the top TV
channels it is still obvious that we go to satellite because we are looking

for an alternative to terrestrial broadcasting.  Although there are two

pay-TV channels high on the list, it also shows that free access TV is still a
winner and that we are all hunting for the latest news.  As you may have
noticed there are some changes of position between 'watched' channels and
most favourite.  This is also confirmation that specific channels do hold
their respective audiences for longer periods of time.  Hence, many
channels may be looked at during a week but you return and watch the one you
prefer.  The amount of listeners to radio is also a lot higher than some local

FM/AM stations would like to believe.  This also shows that we like our
respective styles of radio and stay tuned for longer periods of time.  From
the results it can again be seen that we choose satellite to get away from

terrestrial services.  The top five services all offer something a bit

different to normal radio.  Well done to your winners being for TV,
DISCOVERY and on radio, RADIO LUXEMBOURG, They will be very pleased.





SATELLITE FACTFILE SEPT.  of the birds and where to find them.  Due to the wide
coverage area of TESUG some of them will not be in your reception area.

Therefore we have included a reference number for you to order the in-depth

sheets that are of interest to you.  You can either write or phone/fax to
order the sheets you require.  The alternative is to fill F.P.  with data
which we know is the opposite of what the majority requires.  Intelsat
update next column.

        Revised INTELSAT line-up.

        Location  Region  Satellite
        307.00E     AOR         513
        310.00E     AOR         506
        324.50E     AOR         504
        325.50E     AOR         603
        332.50E     AOR         601
        335.50E     AOR         605
        338.50E     AOR          K
        338.50E     AOR         502
        342.00E     AOR         515
        359.00E     AOR         512

         57.00E     IOR         507
         60.00E     IOR         604
         63.00E     IOR         602
         66.00E     IOR         505

This months moves by Intelsat included 510 and 511.  These were manouvred on

Saturday 15th August.  508 now has mostly video linking network feeds from

Europe to the USA etc.  Other changes this month include 503 and 501.

Intelsat now 124 member countries with 180 countries, territories or

dependencies using their 19 satellites.  Traffic is now appearing on 'K'

with Brightstar being the first full time transponder to come on-line (See

N-I-B)





NEWS FROM THE OWNERS

INTELSAT 'K' began commercial operations 21 August 1992.  (see sightings)
Broadcasters wishing to test results of the satellite were invited to use

'K' for a two week period free-of-charge.  A new channel guide will be
available shortly, which is being forwarded to us.  It is to show all their
satellites world wide together with the users.  The full list will be
available to those who ask for it.  The 1992 Intelsat report has just been
released with some interesting statistics.  The assets of Intelsat stood
at $2,488,597,465.  The total revenue generated in 1991 amounted to

$563,439,047.  More from this report next month in a special Intelsat
feature.  EUTELSAT Is to re-launch its On- Line-Eutelsat service, the
interactive fax service.  This is free to callers and provides full details
about Eutelsat.  IIF4 has completed tests and by the time you receive FP

test- cards and programmers should be on-line.  After a successful

'Eutelsat Road- Show' in certain areas of Europe, further shows are to take

place.  Manufacturers and dealers will be told about the future plans of

Eutelsat and what reception equipment will be needed.  The aim is to avoid
receivers being made that will only work with one satellite system or

owner.  ASTRA Have at last started talking about radio all over Europe.
Astra GMBH has always promoted radio services and it looks as though other

marketing outlets for Astra will follow shortly.  A future edition of their
newsletter will even mention TESUG, whatever next?  August 24 saw Astra

admit that Filmnet was going D2-Mac, with the comment,"This has been
introduced in order to eliminate the 'piracy' of the channel outside its
intended broadcast area".  (However, we are told that there is now a brisk

black market business for card swap centres).  A "Know- it- all" satellite

file has been sent to dealers.  Although it is a little bit out of date and
needs some inaccuracies ammending it is the best yet from Astra.  Astra

claim,"The satellite file will keep dealers in touch with everything they
need to know to help customers.  With such an abundance of information all in
one file, queries take no time at all to answer." OLYMPUS Is still keen to
encourage use of the satellite for testing purposes.  Rumour has it they are

still inviting users to use their satellite, although time is getting
shorter.  TELECOM Will the arguments ever get sorted out?  The latest news is

that previous broadcasting options will be maintained.  This means that

you can transmit in any format you like.  Capacity on 'II' is almost full.
MARCOPOLO/NORWAY Various tests have been taking place, many seen by
TESUGIANS.  Our next Scandinavian report will bring more details.

OTHER SATELLITE NEWS Arianespace have won more contracts for launches.
The backlog now stands at over 40 satellites.  AsiaSat is about to get a
sister satellite.  Called AsiaSat 2 the satellite contract looks like

being Hughes Aircraft Co.  GALAXY 1R failed recently when the Atlas1 launch
vehicle exploded shortly after take off from Cape Canaveral.  The good news
is that no one was injured and the fragments from the rocket fell into the
Pacific ocean.  Builders, Hughes, maintain they will find out what when

wrong with the launch.

NEWS FROM THE BROADCASTERS Canal 6 which has been testing on Intelsat will
be one of the new channels on Eutelsat IIF4.  MTV is now in 29 territories.  The
latest two areas being Romania and the middle East.  Italy has re- newed its

contract with MTV.  Under an EC directive, which requires minimum levels of

European broadcasting on networks, MTV have official confirmation that
they are complying with the directive.  The directive suggests that a

majority proportion of transmission time should be used for European
works.  MTV have a new line-up for Autumn.  Full details on MTV text.  RTL+ has
now started a text service.  Although pages are limited at present, news is
that further pages will be added after taking note of the interest from

viewers.  TCC goes pop.  A new block of air-time, 4.30 - 7pm, will now be

dedicated to the 10 to 15 year olds.  You can test your skills and knowledge of

music.  You will also see some re-runs of old programmes.  BSkyB have
relaunched their range of merchandise, You could soon be walking around

sporting a Sky Sports logo on your sweat shirt if you want to part with 18

pounds sterling plus postage.This, plus many other "offers" are in Skys

Autumn edition of Skylights.  However, there  is an interesting story about
Sky News.  Have they seen the FP line-up for this month?  SAT 1 are rumoured to
be looking at a move back to Eutelsat.  The full reasons why are not clear, but
Eurosport moved back to ensure coverage for their cable contracts.  Maybe
Sat1 are doing the same thing.  Canal +  again go clear.  Broadcasts from the
channel are regularly going to soft-scram enabling many with D2-Mac
receivers to take a look at the channel.  SUPERTEXT is to expand its 'In
Orbit' service.  The service will now include a technical review section
and readers panel.  SCREENSPORT  goes football mad, along with everyone
else, and will be showing qualifying matches in the lead up to the World Cup
Finals in 1994.  Once famed for Motorsport it would appear that most of their
energy is now directed at competing with Sky Sports.

*************************** CALLING ALL YOUNG DOCTORS fans.  If you are
nutty about the Ausy soap then Darren Gray of the Young Doctors
Appreciation Society would like to hear from you.  He is currently
campaigning to keep the show on Sky 1.  If you would like to write to Darren the
address is; TYD 2 Marston Lane Anchorage Park Portsmouth Hampshire PO3 5TW
England.  Darren claims that he is in regular contact with 'TYD' groups in 11
countries.  There are over 8000 people who regularly write or talk to each
other about the soap and by the sound of things Sky may be taking it off.  When
we asked they only laughed, that wasn't very nice was it?

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE POND.  Many have asked how they get regular information
about American satellites and/or magazines.  Although we can offer some of

the news from America, much of which will, in some way, contribute to the

European scene in time, it would be a touch boring to dedicate too much space

to the subject in FP.  But here are some addresses for you.  A magazine for you
is; Via Satellite Philips Publishing, Inc.  7811 Montrose Road, Potomac,
MD 20854 USA.

A regular newsletter, not that far removed from the layout of FP, is also
published by Philips.  The shock price is $697 per year.  However, a quick
check of the print size confirmed that 4 weeks of the newsletter called
'Satellite News' was equal to one copy of FP.  Do you think we should increase
the price of FP - only joking!!!!!!

IRIDIUM, the mobile phone system linked by satellite is moving closer.

Reported earlier this year in FP, the American based project will use LEOs

(Low earth orbit satellites) to link phone and paging systems.  DirecTV has

signed an agreement with Digital Equipment.  The DirecTV system will

enable satellite viewers to tune into 150 channels from one DBS satellite.

DirecTV see this new service using small 38cm dishes, that sounds
familiar, as being a major winner by the year 2000.  The ITU (International
Telecommunications Union) and other interested groups are to meet in
America to talk about DAB (digital audio broadcasting).

The Americans feel that Europe is overtaking them inside Intelsat,

according to recent reports.  The argument is over who should build future
equipment.  The Americans are saying that they should and we want the
contracts in Europe.  With over 30% of the vote it may well mean that we, being
Europeans, may win.  Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Americans may be
visiting Europe and the signatories of Intelsat to try and reach some
agreement on the subject.  One journalist has suggested that the future
building programme should be shared between Europe and America.  We await
the outcome.  At a demonstration of high- definition TV in America it was
such a success that one reporter claimed it was, "the first time ever" that
HD was received from satellite (where has he been for last few years - Ed).

The system used for the demonstration was DigiCipher.  The failure of the

Italian satellite carried by the space shuttle Atlantis may be the result
of dampness in the cable according to one scientist who worked on the
project.  The moisture would have turned to ice in outer-space and this
would have caused the problem.  Hence the satellite was not deployed.

Fortunately the crew of the shuttle were able to bring the tethered
satellite back into the shuttle and store it for the return journey.  The
mission was then aborted and it is hoped to try and deploy the satellite in a
future NASA mission.  NASA are to allow a whole range of private experiments
to be attempted on future shuttle missions.  However, our information does

not show any that started life in Europe.





SEX CHANNELS - WHAT ARE ALL THE ARGUMENTS ABOUT?  To begin with a comment from

New Scotland Yard,"We are worried what will come in the future".  This was a
comment made to us recently.  More on that, being Red Hot Dutch, later.
However, you can have some understanding of the comment when so many see
pornographic material, being shown on satellite at the momemt, leading to
'video nasties' circulating Europe via satellite.  But, there are very
strict rules on the subject.  These are all covered in the cross border

broadcasting agreement signed by all EEC member countries.  However, it

appears that some countries have now decided that programme content is not

acceptable.  Since the announcement that the British government are
hoping to ban the sale of equipment that enables Europeans to view certain
channels, it seems that other 'Heads of State' are also looking at blocking
viewing.  Yet they all forget one major factor.  THE CHOICE IS YOURS, not a
controlling body in a small office that has probably not watched satellite

or even understands what it achieves.  Mrs CF Martin wrote on the
subject,'What is up with the government?  Is the UK the only country where

people take a bath with there clothes on?  The decision about my viewing
habits is my responsibility.  NOT a person who thinks he/she knows what I

want to watch'.  Juliet Stone wrote,'What is the world coming to?  I would
like to join one of the groups that decides what I can watch.  I have never been
asked for my views'.  There have been more letters on the subject, many from

women, who express the same views.

Although few have asked or wish to see a pornographic channel, 24hours a

day, they all require the choice of viewing.  WHY HAVE THE PROBLEMS started?

The originator in the current round of viewing standards is the UK
government.  This has developed into the French, Dutch and Germans being
dragged into the argument.  It is hoped that pressure can be levied on those
respective governments to ban the sale of reception or enable citizens in
other EC countries working for or supporting certain satellite channels.

Broad- casters under pressure are Filmnet, Canal+ and Red Hot Dutch.  It is
felt that it was the start of RHD that sparked off this latest effort to erode
the cross border broadcasting agreement.  The area which is of most concern
to those who have written to us is the EC rules on equipment.  This is also
quite clear.  The free movement of goods, articles 30 to 36, is specific on
the subject and as such enables Europeans to purchase equipment that is

available on a pan- European basis.  This is why we have produced the letter
on the following page.  You may be keen to know that Miss Sarah Young from
Germany has already taken out her own case with the EC.  There is also some
confusion about the rules of watching Red Hot Dutch.  They are very clear in
the EC.  Because the station is based in Holland and meets with the
regulations of the Dutch government, it also has the required approvals to

broadcast, the station is legal to watch.  However, in some European

countries it is ILLEGAL to video tape the shows if you ever loan them to
friends.  You may be in breach of local pornographic laws.

Yet you can watch without any problems.  You should also consider that you
may be in breach of copyright laws by recording programmes.  THE

IMPLICATIONS ON THE FUTURE of cross border broadcasting.  If the EC
agreement becomes unworkable the chances are that satellite will become a
mass of DBS (Direct Broad cast Satellite) services.  Although you probably
will all agree, that to see satellite devalue into a mass of pornographic
channels would be a crime in itself, you the viewer should have the
opportunity to decide the programmes you wish to watch.  This is why we would
ask that you make your views felt in Brussels.  If you have a differing view on

the subject, to the enclosed letter, then send that.  The major problem is
that those who are there to help Europeans rarely get the information they

require.  But why have we got 'on- the-case'?  The prime reason is you.  If you
choose not to watch a licensed, pan- European, programme that is your
right.  Similarly, if you wish to watch that same licensed, pan-European,
programme you should have that opportunity to do so.  To avoid any confusion

we will forward a master copy of FOOTPRINT to the EC.  The letter has the full
address and contact point at the EC.  We would warn you that this type of
complaint does take a long while to filter through all the red tape.  But, we
will publish your reply in a future edition of FP and naturally keep you
informed of any updates or correspondance we receive from the EC on the
subject.  We can supply original copies of the letter if you choose not to
photo-copy the letter, THE CHOICE IS YOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!



EEC letter

Wiltsher writes............  Lets hope you enjoy this new addition to FP.

The decision was taken to give me this space as it stops me moaning all month
about what is going on.  But I hope to bring you some good news as well.  That
 is
where we will start.  Good news for radio people, NDR2 and 4 have started on

Astra.  NDR2 has a mix of programmes and the station claims some jokes and
gags in the programmes together with sport and cultural shows.  NDR4 has a

more subtle music policy plus some international show-biz gossip.  The
music includes Jazz, Folk and Swing.  I must admit that the later is not my
taste in music, but the music on NDR2 certainly had me interested for a long

while - good stuff.  Now come on Europe, stop moaning.  I know that the audio

level of Super is a bit low but at least you don't get charged for it.  Isn't
this a fair deal.  If you want it for free then you should turn up the volume.
 It
makes sense, or does it not?  TESUG has had a load of letters on the subject of
adult programmes.  If you want to watch them you can, just don't force anyone
else to if they don't like them.  But this whole subject has gone just a little
too far for me.  The whole idea of satellite is to get away from almost zero
choice.  I don't mind if you want to watch RHD, go ahead.  I don't think that I
 am
mad or a pervert, just your average European.  So if it fits in for me then it
should fit in for everyone else on the same basis.  Now I am not going to get
political but, WHEN WILL GOVERNMENTS LEAVE OUR VIEWING HABITS TO US.  Will
someone please tell them that us adults know what we want to watch and we
don't need some do-gooder telling us what we should watch.  Now this really
is a clever show.  Have you ever listened in when Chris England does his show

on Euronet, I have and I know your clever little game young Chris.  What
happens is that whatever you say he argues with it.  Then he starts to
slag-off anyone that can't fight back.  Or his latest trick is to suggest
that all women are idiots, ah but we know what you are up to Chris.  You see he
wants you to react.  He needs your letters of complaint and phone calls.
Thats the way he works.  Then long standing broadcaster Chris can jump up and

down telling the world he has this massive audience.  He will probably run

around the Euronet studio shouting to everyone that he has more mail than
the rest of the shows.  So now you know what he is up to and you can probably
 save

yourself a small fortune in postage stamps and phone calls.  You see Chris,

my man, we have got you sussed.  After having a chat with Tod Slaughter of QEFM
fame, he tells us that the largest mail bags come from good shows.  Just one,
one hour show resulted in almost 200 letters.  Can you top that?  Now that the
Norweigan PTT has gone for virtually a non-standard system for
Scandinavia where will it all end?  Isn't it about time we reduced the amount
of systems.  I can understand that Videocrypt goes with Pal and that
Eurocrypt goes with D2-Mac.  But give us a break.  Enough is enough, my front
room is already suffering under the strain of all the boxes.  Plus my wife
went mad when I took the last add-on home.  Finally,not everyone is football
mad, are they?

**** FACT SHEET FILE **** For those that have asked here is a run down; Type of
Information No 2nd dish installation 1 Add Telecom band 2 Scarts & 'D's 3
LNBs explained 4 VCR problems?  6 Rumanian dish guide 7 Amstrad 48 upgrade 8
Radio Fact sheet 9 (please specify station) Amstrad 100 re-tune 10
Find-a-satellite 11 284 channel Amstrad 12 Home distribution 14
Motorised install 19 Fixed dish install 20 Polarity failure 21 SRD 400
unlock 22 MBC 23 PAL I/G (Pace) 25 Build a P/F dish 30 Decoder loop through 31
Trac transcoder TR01 CNN dish guide CNN01 Fitting little xtra ST08

There are also a growing number of re-tuning sheets for the following; BUSH
IRD 155 ECHOSTAR SR5500 FERGUSON SRD4 GRUNDIG GIRD 2000 GRUNDIG GIRD 3000
ITT NOKIA 1100 ITT SAT 1500 MASPRO SRE 350 NEC 3022 PACE SS9000 IRD PACE
SS9200 PHILIPS STU 801 SALORA 5902 UNIDEN UST 7007 UNIDEN UST 8008

There are also full hand books on more systems and we will continue to add to
the tuning guides as and when you want them.  Also the number of full workshop
manuals is growing well.  If you require any of the above or the satellite
info sheets please include a description of the fact sheet as numbers are

hard to read.  Sorry C-band boys, a full list for you next issue plus other

lists.



INSIDE DEUTSCHE WELLE.  Many have asked about the D.W.  radio service and the
head of the network agreed to give us the answers to your question.  The
answers;

Deutsche Welle is the German external broadcasting service.  Deutsche
Welle -broadcasts worldwide in 34 languages for a total of approximately

90 hours a day, with about 100 news bulletins.  Or, to put it another way, it

transmits more than 600 hours of programmes a week; -has been broadcasting
regularly since 3rd May 1953, at first with only a single 20 kW transmitter.
Today it uses 43 transmitters with a total capacity of 11 550 kW; -is a German

programme which provides its listeners worldwide with up to date

information on politics, economy, culture, society and sports; -has a
radio transcription service(since September 1963) and a television
transcription service (since 1st October 1964).  Both services as well as
Deutsche Welle TV provide ready-for-broadcasting radio and TV
programmes in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian,
Chinese, Hausa, Swahili, and Arabic to more than 1150 stations abroad, as
well as making German- language and dubbed TV productions available to
Eastern Europe and North America; -received well over 400,000 listener's
letters in 1991, more than two-thirds of which came from developing
countries; -operates transmitters in Julich, Konigs Wusterhausen
Leipzig, Nauen and Wertachtal, as well as relay stations in
Kigali/Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sines/Portugal, Malta and Antigua, is

currently leasing three broadcasting stations in Russia, one in
Brasilia/Brazil and one in Sackville/Canada; -has(since July 1990) also
been broadcasting its programming to Europe via the Astra 1A and Eutelsat
II-F1 satellites, thus providing optimum reception quality; -employs a

staff of approximately 1600, two- thirds of whom are technical and
administrative staff and one-third 'programme makers' (i.e.  editors and
translators); -has an annual budget of 397 million deutschmarks 1992,

most of which is provided by the federal parliment; -has a 17 member board of
governors(Rundfunkrat) and a 7 member administrative board
(Verwaltungsrat); -has, since 1st December 1989, Dieter Weirich as its
director-general; -also benefits from the expertise of programme
director Josef M.  Gerwald, director TV Siegfried Berndt, administrative
director Gebhard Braun, technical director Gunter Roessler and

editor-in- chief (radio) Dr.  Franz- Josef Neub; -has run a training centre
since 1965 (the DWAZ), which provides preliminary and advanced training

for radio staff from the developing countries.  To date, more than 2500
trainees have attended courses in Cologne and elsewhere.

If you want to know more about your favourite channel or station then please

let us know and we will go behind the scenes for you.  Don't panic if it takes a

couple of months for us to reply as it takes a while for us to contact the

broadcaster.



THE SKY NEWS TEAM, top of the TESUG poll cam Sky News and here are some details
about the faces on-screen.  SELINA SCOTT, formerly of the BBC, is the co-
presenter of Sky World News Tonight.  Miss Scott voices documentarties and

reports on Royal Weddings and Elections.  SCOTT CHISHOLM, previously with

Visnews, has been a journalist for nearly 20 years.  He was awarded News
Presenter of the Year in 1990.  He is regualarly on Sky World News Tonight.  He
is one of the few news presenters that has has a sponge cake pushed in his face

at the end of a newscast,it was to be his birthday cake.  At the end of one news
cast he refused to read a story from the Sun newspaper.  So further show his

dislike of the story he crumpled up the newspaper and threw it over his

shoulder.  Did Mr Murdoch see that?  CHRIS MANN, was born in Scotland and was

named investigative journalist of the year in 1987.  Vivien Creegor was one

of the first Sky presenters with Kay Burley.  Vivien is the weekend
co-presenter of Sky World News Tonight.  Kay Burley was Sky's first
presenter.  She presneted the first documentary on Sky before the first 4
channel network started.  British viewers would remember her from TV-am.
Chris Morris, originally from the BBC, was a foreign corespondant before
moving to Sky.  Penny Smith, who soon took over from Alison Holloway after

she left Sky, was soon part of Scott Chisholms comedy show.  She now co-hosts
the am news.  Bob Friend joined Sky in 1898.  Another defector from the BBC.  He
worked with the BBC for 20 years and now has various spots on Sky.





SIGHTINGS
Bob Thornton writes;
28/8/92 Sky One - A commercial for 'Satellite & Video Today' at 21.00BST.

29/8/92 TDF1A - MCM off air from 16.20 BST.  Came back at 16.27 with

motorcycle scrambling followed by a test card with classical music and
then MCM returned

30/8/92 TV1000 - Clear from 11.45 - 12.08 BST

31/8/92 TV SAT2 - 12.054 from 12.00BST showed Eureka 95 test.

1/9/92 Eutelsat - 2F3 10.988H Tandberg Norway D2- Mac Eurocrypt.

1/9/92 Olympus 18.8 - Raisat clear showed piano concert in D2-Mac. TV Asia
keeps showing the Comedy Channel text even on Sky One.  Bob also asks were can

he find details of Radio Caroline on short wave.  Take a look at this months
competition.


Intelsat K 'K' rock has been heard, this is a rock station from New York.
11.531 and 11.719 showed PAL & NTSC.

Mr Carmichael found the LIVE football on Eutelsat IIF1,(11.617V) he said
that it was cheaper than BSkyB.  HBB TV on Eut IIF3 11.668V showing the

'Landscape' channel.

Anthony King reports that Telecom 2B is nearly full.  Canal 6 has started on
27.5 AKI & ET1 are almost watchable on his 1.2 dish in the north of England.

The sightings column is just for you.  This months winner is Bob Thornton.  He
will get a 'TESUG APPROVED' t-shirt.  Closing date for mail to this section

will be 30 September 1992.

Next month we will give you a list of those interetsed in the magazine 'swap
shop'

 RADIO NEWS

COUNTRY NITES 1440AM is to link its Surrey England based studios with the
transmitter site in Luxembourg via satellite.  RADIO NOVA claims it will
now broadcast on Astra.  It is suggested that they will use spare capacity on

the Lifestyle sub-carrier that Country Nites will use in the evenings.  THE
VOICE OF PEACE, radio ship will soon be heard on Euronet.  Taped shows will be
sent from Israel.  If you fancy working on a radio ship, Euronet will be
advertising for an English speaking engineer and DJs to work on VOP.  HOWARD
ROSE, editor of the Radio Magazine is hoping to launch an oldies station on
Astra.  RTL INT, had a few problems in the first week of September with the

signal fading, this was a land- line fault and not the satellite itself.
QEFM, in August celebrated their birthday with a special programme,
presented by our very own Eric, all about the off- shore radio stations of
the 1960s and 70s.  RADIO LUXEMBOURG can now be heard in Scotland via its
first FM relay agreement.  It is a shared frequency with a local group.  RADIO
No 1 has again closed down.  The service scheduled to broadcast to Turkey
stopped broadcasting via Astra amid rumours that they were in financial
difficulties.  RADIO CAROLINE has blamed the Post Office for their lack of
programme material on QEFM.  Station Manager, Roy Litchfield, got so fed up
that he put a Radio Nova tape out.  Recordings from the Caroline studios on-
board the MV Ross Revenge were sent by registered mail.  Major sponsors are

now very interested in the station with a view to getting a full time sub-
carrier for Caroline.  This has been achieved since Radio Caroline was
awarded a British satellite licence under the callsign 'Radio Caroline'.
This might sound daft to you, as it did to us, but others outside of the

Caroline organisation wanted to use the name.  Therefore, the Caroline
boys had to prove they were entitled to use their own name.  This has now been
achieved and they have their licence.  Knowing that so many of you are
interested in the station we contacted 'Offshore Echoes'.  The editor is
Chris Edwards.  Their mag is full of stories about off- shore radio and what

has happened to the presenters who started on ships.  Chris has sent some CDs

called, 'The Legend Lives On'.  This is a documentary about the station and

contains material from the 1960s onwards.  For a chance to win a copy, which
will be a draw, entries must be received by us no later than 30 September.  The
question is," Name one of the satellites that Radio Caroline broadcasts

on".  There are two.  Our thanks go to Chris.  You can write to him via PO Box

1514, London, W7 2LL, England.  If you want to write to the station, their

address is Radio Caroline PO Box 963, London, SW20 8XL, England.  If you
enclose a SAE or two IRCs then they will send you information about their
listeners club and amateur radio society.

MIMTEC are to make their satellite radio receiver available in stores.  The
price will be maintained at just under 100 pounds.  More radio, stop press,
news in NEWS IN BRIEF.





BBC WORLD SERVICE IN D2-MAC

Tuesday 1 September the BBC announced that they had gone into a partnership
with Philips and that they would now be using D2-Mac as their new

transmission standard.  It also announced that they would use Eurocrypt

for encryption.  The announcement caused more reports claiming that the

only way that D2-Mac would grow was via business partnerships with
manufacturers.  The leading one being Philips.  Like it or not, from
mid-Autumn the BBCs 24 hour service will be broadcast across Europe in

D2-Mac.  A second contract announced on the same day confirmed views that

the cost would be similar to that which the British pay for TV, namely around

72pounds sterling a year for the service.  The company handling
subscriptions for the channel is TV Extra based in Sweden.  Philips are part
owners of TV Extra.  The move to D2-Mac was to reduce piracy problems,
claimed the BBC.  They also claimed that piracy was the major reason why the
service had not expanded faster.  However, this latest news does make
things a lot easier for those who have wanted to subscribe for months and
have not been able to.  To subscribe contact TV Extra Storgatan 9 S-591 33
Motala Sweden Tel: +46 141 35512 Fax: +46 141 35513 They are to include the
BBC in a subscription package.

SUPER CHANNEL new line-up for the Autumn.Super claim the new programming,

which includes a new series called "Serie Noire" featuring spy, drama,
crime, and black humour, will increase viewers.

SKY LAUNCHES 'MOVIE GOLD'.  With falling ratings Sky will close the Comedy
channel at the end of September.  More about the new channel in a moment, but
why did they close the Comedy Channel?  In reality it was the ratings.  The
high spot of the channel came from repeats of old British programmes.  As the
British content decreased so did the ratings.  For some months the channel
has been under threat and after a new film deal was completed BSkyB were able
to sketch out a new service called 'Movies Gold'.  The channel will be
available free to subscribers, but the wording from Sky is," free to

subscribers to both Sky's existing movie channels".  It is still not clear

if that means that you need to have both channels to get 'Gold' free.  Sky
claim,"Sky Movies Gold will feature titles from the major movie studios.

In the first season, viewers will see all-time greats such as Cleopatra,

The Battle of Britain and Blade Runner.  Other titles include Dirty Harry,

The French Lieutenant's Woman, Klute and The Cowboys".  The channel will
start at 6pm through till midnight during the week and will open at 4pm on the

week- ends.  Initial reaction to the change has been mixed, however, most

have taken the view that if you have to subscribe to both channels then they

will leave it alone.  On the other hand movie buffs have given the channel a
vote of approval.Time will tell and it will be interesting to see what the

ratings are for 'Sky Movies Gold'.  If you have a chance to view the channel
write and tell us what you think.

 CNN STAYS ON INTELSAT but WHY?

First we should say thank you to all the Tesugians that have sent

information via the office to CNN.  Although we haven't got an official
thank you, we were one of the first to hear that the Intelsat service would be
continued.  It is very important that you keep those reports coming in for
future reviews by CNN.  The official word is that signal reports have
resulted in the Intelsat service continuing.  Reports from Astra were not

that which CNN expected.  The back-up to Astra was hoped to be Intelsats

C-band transponder.  However, this also proved to be un- acceptable as

signal reports did not offer the coverage that was hoped for.  For the time
being CNN will remain across Europe via Intelsat.  If you want to write to CNN
send your letters to us and we will make sure that they get to the right
places.

All the 'TOONS' for the USA but not for Europe.  Turner broadcasting will

start their 24hr cartoon service via the Galaxy satellite with the
footprint covering north/central America and the Carribean.  But no date
has been set for Europe.  The channel is called the 'Worldwide Cartoon
Network'.  Programmes will include all the regular favourites including
Tom & Jerry, Tweety and Yogi Bear and a whole host more.  Ted Turner has
reportedly said that he is only interested in International market places

which leaves us all wondering when the Cartoon network will arrive in
Europe.  The service in America is designed for distribution via cable & is a

subscription channel.



PORTASAT - PORTABLE DISH What is it and how well does it work?  Being asked by

so many that have 2nd homes or holiday retreats we took a look at the
'Portasat'antenna system.  At the moment there is only a 60cm version

available but the makers claim they will soon be offering larger models.

The antenna comes as a kit and it is supplied with very easy to follow
instructions.  If you have ever seen the antenna used by BSB, the squarial,
or the flatplate antenna, built by Technisat, the Portasat is of similar
design but it does use an LNB.  The flat dish is mounted into rectangular,
tubular frame.  A large plastic clip, supplied with the kit, is bolted to the
top of the frame and you fit your LNB into it.  The manufacturers advise you to
obtain a compass, tape measure and some tent pegs or large weights.  The
compass is obvious but why the tape measure?  Supplied with the kit is a table
that represents elevation.  After you have established the elevation, at

your location, you simply measure the distance between two parts on the
tubular frame and the elevation of the dish is set.  The weights are purely to

keep the dish secure, but you may prefer to use some form of tent style
fixings.  There are instructions on how to assemble the dish.  However, we

found it so easy we didn't need them.  The first LNB we fitted was for the DBS

band.  If you take a look at the 'data file' in the July edition of FP you will

see what we achieved.  TV-Sat2, TDF1 and Olympus were very good.  The
interesting thing is that we could not improve on the receive signal after
following the instructions supplied with the kit.  The other interesting,

albeit lucky, thing was we were directly on the satellite at the first

attempt.  A look at Eutelsat produced the results we expected.  Superbeam
transponders were acceptable, but Widebeam signals left us with some
noise on video.  Astra was naturally clear.  The bad news, from a testing
point of view, was it was a cloud and rain free day.  Enter Bill and the

handpipe.  Completely covering the antenna did slightly reduce the
signal,as you'd expect, but changes we no different to any other 60cm

antenna.  It will be very good to test the larger version of the antenna as

Astra is only one satellite and it would be nice to see a Eutelsat model and

really put the flat antenna through its paces.

THE PALCOM SL-4000RP is by no means a standard Palcom receiver.  We quickly
hooked the 4000RP to a 1.5metre IRTE and it was playtime at the office.  Apart

from being a heavily featured receiver positioner it has some nice
features for the 'DX'viewer.  The optional video blanking is a real bonus
when looking at weak satellites.  However, the very good threshold of the
receiver does help you if you have been suffering in the past.  The software
of the 4000RP will interest both the true hobbyist as well as those who wish

to tune into as many frequencies as possible without really knowing what is

happening technically.  It is fair to say that the receiver copes with most
that we threw at it.  'C'- band reception was real fun as were other bands.

There is also a dual IF input and a range of settings that will give you dual or
triple band LNB settings.

Two decoder ports are available and they can be connected to either PAL + MAC

or MAC + MAC.  Audio out, which is very good, is available via phono
sockets.With the addition of 'CYCLOPS' you can cross connect the 4000RP to

a home distribution centre and have control of the receiver in any room.  The
receiver has English, German, French and Spanish menus which can be a real
help if you are learning your way through a new receiver, especially if some

of the technical jargon is not in your native language.  Dish Programming is

very easy and can be achieved without moving from your couch.  The autofocus
also helps ensure that you remain on the satellite in the event that
anything drifts off.  The main menu follows a, surprisingly, logical
pattern.  Many receivers do not.  After entering the menu of your choice the
receiver almost helps you through the questions it asks.  The other

sensible feature of the menu is that it only needs you to do one thing at a

time.  For example there are times when audio 'L' and 'R' do not follow a
pattern.  The Palcom asks you to set each frequency separately.  It then does
the bandwidth and onto the pre-set volume.  At the end of all your
programming, you know how one thing never works quite as you would like it,

the trouble shooting section of the handbook helps you sort things out.  All
the main aspects of the receiver, Video, Audio, decoder and dish set ups are
excellent.  If you get a chance to test the 4000RP DO IT!  As for those

upgrading this is a receiver you should put high on your shopping list.  Our

thanks go to PALCOM UK tel: +44(0)895 431 633.



TESUG NEWS TESUG NEWS We have requests for some additional services.  The
first being a mag swop.  This idea came from a long conversation about
programme listings.  What people want to do if regularly swop magazines so
that they can see what is on in other countries.  To save space in FP, this is
how we will run the mag swop.  If you are interested in exchanging mags let us
know what you have to swop and which mag ( or which country you want the mag to
originate from) you would like to receive.  We will then, providing others
wish to swop in that country, exchange information with another memeber

for you.  The rest is up to you.  Please remeber our laws mean that we do need

your permission to forward your details to any other person.  Therefore,
will you include your approval in your letter.

SUBSCRIBER SALES

David Gaskill 'Robin Hill' Woodhead Road Hale, Altringham Cheshire UK Tel
0836 607234 David has for sale a complete system for sale including

a,"Raynor 5000 receiver with integrated positioner complete with H- H
mount, 90cm dish, 1dB LNB Polarotor and feed horn".  The asking price is 300
pounds sterling.

YOUR LETTERS AND CALLS

Nick Presland called in,"As a non-football fan why should I pay 2.99 for Sky
Sports.  There is no mention of Motor Racing.  Sky should re-assure

non-football viewers that there is something for them.  How about a TESUG

teletext service on Astra?" Reply>>>

We contacted Sky who were very quick to admit that they had forgotten to talk
about anything other than football.  The reason given was the media were

more interested in Football than anything else.  Sky then listed of a long
list of sports for the channel including athletics, motor cycling and
motor sport.  On the question of Formula 1 motor car racing there was
silence, however, NASCAR was offered as an alternative.  We, being TESUG,

did look at Astra for a text service over a year ago.  The main problem we
bumped into at that time was the rules and regulations that were part of an

agreement to use Astra.  The major attraction of Super was that we only had to

comply with the normal TESUG rules.  Meaning you don't have to be rude to get
your point across.  It was also agreed from the beginning that the service
would cover all satellites and not just the one the service originated

from.  You may have noticed that some magazines are really only Astra

magazines.  We did not feel this was the route that TESUG wanted to follow.  We
still don't.  The objective still is to bring as much news as possible about

all the European satellites, not just one.

ROBERT DIMLER writes,"Is there anyone who has a working save decoder they
want to sell for around 50 pounds sterling?  My daytime number is 071 247
0303".

Liam Kelly writes," EXCELLENT!  This months FP is the best yet;well done.
Enclosed is a copy of my installation details.  Keep up the good work;

without your help and info all my expence would have been wasted".  Thanks

for the comments.  Liams system>>>>>

 HOW LIAM HAS IT CONNECTED

 Echostar Dual Racal band LNB 1.1 p/rotor



 90cm p/f Precision motorised (patio mount)

 Connextions CX 9002 splitter



Kids bedroom

 VIDEOCRYPT (mainly Sky Sports) UNIDEN 8008 (switched to slave)



 Lounge

 VIDEOCRYPT (mainly movies) UNIDEN 8008 UNIDEN 881

Thanks to Liam for the drawing but, have you got a really unusual
installation If so send us the details and we will fit it into FP.

Prof Nixon BA writes, "Thank you for a wonderful service on Text and your
news letters.  I wonder how to get to Intelsat 'K', as honestly I don't know

how to get to 21.5 west.  Is it near the BBC at 27.5".

Reply......A quick glance at the sightings, which follows, will give you
all you need to know about 'K'.  However, we should congratulate all those
who found this new bird when it had only blank carriers running.  Most would

have gone straight past thinking it was just noise.
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite