Teleco Satellite Systems
Advice and information on easy and quick satellite locating

Satellite location for TV and radio transmissions

Every satellite is positioned in an orbit around the equator at a distance of about 36,000 km from the earth. Each satellite is in a fixed and well defined position on this orbit, shown in degrees in relation to the Greenwich meridian.
The Astra 1 satellites are all positioned at 19.2° East of Greenwich. The Eutelsat and Hot Bird satellites are all positioned at 13° East of Greenwich. The Atlantic Bird 3 ( AB3 ) satellite is positioned 5° to the West of the prime (Greenwich) meridian. Satellite reception area (Foot-Print) Since the satellites are fed exclusively by solar panels, the power available for transmitting to the ground is very low.
They are therefore forced to concentrate all their transmitting energy in a very small area of the Earth, so the signals can be received by parabolic antennas which are relatively small. The effect of the signal transmission is like the light beam of a car: more powerful at the centre of the beam, weaker and weaker towards the edges. These areas, where one can receive the signals delivered from the satellite, are called Foot-Prints, and each satellite has a different Foot-Print depending on its power. For example, "older" satellites have a smaller transmission power, and hence a smaller Foot-Print. Given the power ratings of the major satellites, TELECO has chosen for its whole range of satellite reception systems three dish dimensions: 50 cm, 65 cm and 85 cm.

 

Reception of TV and Radio signals broadcast by the 4 groups of satellites is guaranteed within the darker (footprint) areas. It should be remembered that signals become weaker when the sky is overcast or rainy, and this could lead to images with black and white dots, or the images could even disappear. When choosing the satellite system to be installed on your vehicle, make sure the dimensions of the parabola are suited for receiving the satellite signals in your viewing area.

 
Note that BBC channels are transmitted by Astra 2D which has a smaller footprint.