Satellite Update - Aug. 3, 2012

By Doug Lung
published

From FCC Report SAT-00886, “Actions Taken:”

  • The FCC International Bureau's Policy Branch found Dish Operating LLC's application for special temporary authority acceptable (STA) for filing after an initial review. Dish requested STA for 180 days to continue operating EchoStar 7 at 118.8 degrees west longitude (WL) using DBS channels 1-21. 

From FCC Report SAT-00885, “Satellite Space Stations Accepted for Filing:” 

  • The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division granted Intelsat License LLC authority to construct, launch and operate Intelsat 20 at 68.5 degrees east longitude (EL). The satellite will use C, Ku and Ka-band frequencies 3700-4200 MHz, 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.7 GHz, 12.5-12.75 GHz, and 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 5925-6675 MHz, 13.75-14.0 GHz, 14.0-14.5 GHz, and 29.5-30 GHz (Earth-to-space). Telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) operations are authorized on specified Ku-band frequencies. 
  • SES Americom's request to modify its authorization for AMC-2 was approved. It specified operation at 19.0 degrees EL, rather than its previously assigned 4.98 degree EL location. SES Americom is authorized to provide fixed satellite service (FSS) from the new location using 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). TT&C to move AMC-2 to that location and to maintain it there is authorized on specified C and Ku-band frequencies. 
  • DirecTV Enterprises LLC received STA for 60 days to continue to conduct TT&C operations necessary to maintain DirecTV 1R at 109.8 degrees WL using 17.305 GHz and 17.799 GHz for command, and 12.69825 GHz and 12.69925 GHz for telemetry. 
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.