Satellite Update

By Doug Lung
published

EchoStar Corp. requested authority to launch and operate the AMC-14 DBS satellite at 61.5 degrees west longitude (WL) using frequencies in the 17.3-17.8 GHz (Earth-to-Space) and 12.2-12.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) bands. EchoStar requested waivers FCC rules requiring discharge of all stored energy sources remaining in the satellite upon de-orbiting, and requiring cross-polarization isolation of at least 30 dB through the satellite or DBS satellite’s primary coverage area. From FCC Report SAT-00501.

The FCC’s International Bureau determined Star One S.A. has met the launch and operate milestone associated with its Star One C1 satellite. The satellite commenced commercial operations at 65.0 degrees WL on Dec. 20, 2007. XM Radio received special temporary authority (STA) to operate one indoor terrestrial repeater in Vienna, Va., with an effective isotropically radiated power (EIRP) of up to 0.5 watts (average) for 180 days from Feb. 6, 2008 to Aug. 3, 2008. Sirius Satellite Radio received STA to operate 15 terrestrial repeaters at power levels at or below 2 kW EIRP in Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Sacramento and Washington, D.C., plus and Bogota and Wayne, N.J.. The STA is valid for 180 days, from Feb. 4, 2008 through Aug. 1, 2008. This information is from FCC Report SAT-00500.

Doug Lung
Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.