As many of you are aware C Band satellites are moved and/or replaced occasionally. With receivers that access the satellites by name you must then reprogram the receiver after each change. If you switch to using orbital position instead you should not need to reprogram your receiver again unless there is a failure in your satellite system. You do not actually have to reprogram your receiver to use orbital position. All you have to do is download the chart below, record information in the chart, and keep it next to your receiver.
The information you need to verify and record is in: the “Receiver Code” column, the “Dish Position” column, and the “Polarity and Skew” column. The East and West dish limits should be recorded in the space provided at the bottom of the chart. This chart also shows the minimum number of satellites your site should have programmed in the receiver.
The “Receiver Code” column of the chart has been pre-populated to give you a good starting point. It will need to be verified, corrected, and/or deleted for your site. This field was filled in based on a Motorola receiver so it should be very close for sites with this receiver.
The “Receiver Code” is the two digit designation (ex: T6, G3, T5, G4) that is currently displayed on your receiver. This is an abbreviation for an actual satellite that may not still be in orbit. The best way to start is to go to Galaxy 16 which will be G4 or G6 on most receivers and verify that you are getting the program(s) indicated in “Transponder-Programmin-Comments” column of the chart. Once verified, record this two digit code in the 99 degree’s West row of the “Receiver Code” column. Now find the four digit dish position number (usually around 5000) and record it in the 99 degree’s West row of the “Dish Position” column. Finally verify the polarity and record the Horizontal and Vertical Skew values in the “Polarity and Skew” column.
Now locate, verify, and record the information for the satellites that have 24/7 programming. This is what is listed in the “Transponder-Programming- Comments” column. Of course you can add any comments or notes in this column as well.
Next locate, verify, and record the information for the remaining satellites. There may be occasional use programming on some of these satellites to help you verify that your dish is aimed correctly. If not you may be able to use the signal strength indicator that is part of most receivers. Even if you can not verify you are on a satellite, record the “Receiver Code” and “Dish Position.”
Finally program in any satellites that you are missing.
Once you do all of this, please keep the completed chart with your receiver and make sure all Downlink Coordinators, and their back-ups at your office understand how to tune in a satellite using this chart. Make sure you have some extra copies of this chart and that all of your hard work is kept in a safe place!
Now when you get a broadcast announcement; look at the Orbital Position and Transponder listed in the announcement, look at your chart for the code for that Orbital Position and enter it into your receiver, and then change the channel on the receiver to match the Transponder number.
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