Astra Satellite Update

                         Compiled by Defacto

New Satellites:
---------------
Astra  operator SES, the company responsible for all the Astra satellites
have  finalised  a  contract  with  Hughes.   Hughes will manufacture the
seventh  Astra satellite, Astra 1G.  This satellite will be more powerful
than Astra 1E and 1F.

The  1G  will have 28 transponders of 100 Watts each capable of operating
right  across  the  entire BSS band (11.70-12.50 Ghz), providing a backup
service  for  1D  and 1E satellites.  Astra 1G, is due in service in 1997
and  there will be as many as 56 transponder for DTV, Digital Television.
One transponder will be able to transmit several channels.

Astra  IE  has  been  confirmed  for  launch later this year at the usual
French  Guyana  location.  Astra 1F will be will be launched by a Russian
proton rocket from baikonur in Russia in March 1996.

Astra  1D  update:   ---------------  The  Astra  1D channel continues to
change  even though the satellite is now broadcasting!.  Rumours are that
Sky  have  four  transponders and that a new channel called SKY 2 will be
launched.   This channel is rumoured to be like Sky one.  Sky Movies Gold
is to replaced in the Autumn by the DISNEY CHANNEL.

Frequencies for 1D:  ------------------
   Transponder Frequency Channel
   ----------- --------- -------
    49 10.714 GHZ/H Arte
    50 10.728 GHZ/V NBC Super Channel
    51 10.744 GHZ/H RTL Dutch
    52 10.759 GHZ/V RTL 4
    53 10.773 GHZ/H Home-Order TV
    54 10.788 GHZ/V ZEE TV
    55 10.803 GHZ/H TeleClub
    56 10.818 GHZ/V Sky
    57 10.832 GHZ/H Kabel1
    58 10.847 GHZ/V Sky
    59 10.862 GHZ/H Kabel Plus
    60 10.877 GHZ/V Sky
    61 10.891 GHZ/H Kabel Entertainment
    62 10.906 GHZ/V Sky
    63 10.921 GHZ/H Filmnet Central Europe
    64 10.934 GHZ/V RTL-5


Pirate  Update:   -------------- British Bulletin Boards are now carrying
free  details  of  a new VideoCrypt emulator program that allows AMIGA/PC
owners to watch scrambled channels.  The new program is a updated version
of  one  called Season 7 that appeared on BBS`S last year.  Following the
Introduction of a series 09 card last year Season 7 was ineffective.  But
the latest version works well.  Included in the docs are how to build the
interface program that's necessary to a receiver to a computer.
Tho none of use at MiggyByte condone the use of such software/hardware to
recive  free  viewing  of  Sky  channels.   It must be a signal to Sky to
reduce their subscription charges.

Editors  comment:   I wonder if Sky put there prices down there, if there
would  be  less people doing this?.  Makes you think doesn't it!, HEHEHE.
Sky  also  says it had a good final quarter last year, putting on 180,000
subscribers  during  the  3  months  of  1994.   It  now  has 2.4 million
subscribers!.


Anyway  that's it for this issue if you have any satellite info then send
it to us here at Miggybyte.

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