BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF A MOTORISED SATELLITE SYSTEM

To view the programmes from more than one satellite a motorised dish system is required. This includes a dish able to point at different parts of the Clarke belt in the sky where the satellite are situated and a positioner unit to control the dish monitor.

Left, an installer is installing a twin LNB system to view two satellites from one dish by using additional bracket for the LNB. ( Low Noise Block, is the gadget that is placed in front of the dish to receive microwave signals ) Right, a 12" actuator arm is fitted behind a 1.0 metre wall mounted dish to move it from left to right to receive various satellite signals from the sky.

We need at least a 1.0 metre wide for reasonable multi-satellite reception and 1.5 metre dish is recommended. Its easier to buy a motorised system with the receiver and the positioner integrated in one box.

However, technology has grown a great deal over the years that consumers are able to have a small dish to receive a signal from space to transmit broadcasts. One doesn't need to install a 3.0 metre dish anymore to operate a fully motorised system.

The range of formats and standards on all the satellites is enormous so multi-satellite systems must be more flexible than those intended only for Asiasat, Chinasat and Thaicom to name the few. Almost all of the satellites that broadcasting in C & Ku band are popular because they are in the clear with many state television channels from different countries are available here.

"A consumer can receive up to 500 video and radio channels or more depending on the system installed. But one must remember that in Malaysia getting and buying a satellite motorised system is illegal and they are liable to prosecution. A motorised systems are also widely known as parabola " There many consumers bought the system from abroad and have to take the risk for not only the law are against them but also the warranty of thye product doesnt cover here. So buy and installed at your own risk.

Depending on the systems installed, one can position the dish to receive the first available satellite that is Insat 4CR located at 74 degree east and up to 171 degree west for the TDRS 5. From 171 degree west to 74 degree east there are more than 130 satellites available depending on the foot print it covers and the scrambling systems it used.

Apart from watching the normal commercial channels on other satellites, the public or satellite TV enthusiasts can also watch raw live news feed, news collection and distribution service. There are also downlink and uplink programs and activities by broadcasters around the world sending news materials to their respective destinations.

So, why limit yourself to watching just one satellite when you can have the entire world at your finger tips? I mean, you can still watch most of the programmes on internet tv and listening to your favourite radio stations there anytime you like at your own sweet time!