X-Mailer: NMail (1.1.0)
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Date:         Tue, 22 Dec 1992 23:57:44 EST
From:         Gary Bourgois <flash@LOPEZ.MARQUETTE.MI.US>
Subject:      Re: various (probably FA) Q's,

>I am a prospective satellite dish user/purchaser and I has a few questions.
>I suspect most of them are frequently asked. I apologize, but I have been
>reading for a while and never see a FAQ list. I have tried to do some
>homework in advance so as to not be too repetitive.

Faq follows this by email if I can get the system to give me your address.
If not, the FAQ is in news.answers or should be (though I have not seen it
yet, I did post it last week)


>1) I dug up various "popular electronics"-level books from our engineering
>library and our public library. They are all circa 1982-1984. Is there
>a more modern book that goes into some, but not vast, unapproachable
>detail?

There are some very good books in the $20 price range.  The best book I know
of for the beginner is KEN REITZ Satellite TV sourcebook.

If you pick up a copy of SAT TV week, you should find ads for books in there.


>2) In one of the books they show photos of dishes on house roofs, I assume
>due to esthetic and space considerations. Are houses stable enough to
>allow a polar mount or do they shift around too much and therefore
>require an AZ-EL mount?


House is stable enough.  Reason for dish up high is generally to clear trees
(Mine is up 17 feet on a pole, attached to house)

>3) Why are all the satelittes in the Clark belt, which must be
>getting crowded? Wouldn't it be possible to get geostationary satellites
>at other latitudes by launching into other altitudes?


Not possible.  Would not work.  Due to physics involved.  Clarke belt is the
only place a satellite can be geostationary.  The least bit out of the belt,
and you end up with a satellite that wobbles in a figure 8 pattern.  The
RUSSIANS actually do use such a system, but it involves using 3 satellites to
do the work of 1.  BUT that is how you cover artic regions.

>4) What is the effect of snow and ice on dishes? Do you need to clean it off?
>Don't you have to be very careful not to dent the dish?

You have to clean it off, and dishes are sturdy.


>5) Do people have problems with vandalism/theft?

No one I know of.

>6) My main interest is in watching cultural broadcasts from Asian countries.
>I don't care if they are direct or rebroadcast from this country. Have people
>come across this sort of thing somewhat often? e.g.music and
>dance from India, Korea, Japan, Malaysia.. I'm not too interested in sports
>or movies.....

There are several Asian networks.  MOSTLY on the KU band.
There are some cultural programs from NHK.  There is the INTERNATIONAL
channel also on C band.


>7) WHat periodicals should I read to stay aware of innovations?

Unfortunately there are none.  Actually your best source of info is THIS
newsgroup.

--
    /   Gary Bourgois, WB8EOH, The Birdwatcher: Marquette Michigan  USA   \
   ([-o ~ Tune FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!  S3/21 5.8  Fridays from 9-midnight ~ o-])
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Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite