02-03 - TELE-satellite International Magazine

manent polarisation can also be selected with the
polarisation switch.
Once the channel is selected and tuned we have
to adjust the audio parameters. With the flip of
switch the standard frequency of 6.80 MHz can be
selected, while a rotary switch allows the scanning
of a range that must extend from 2 to 10 MHz (my
estimate). Needless to say that that stereo sound
was not a standard feature in 1984. On the back
of the unit there is a switch that is used to choose
either the C or the Ku band.
MSK 33
Measuring QPSK and QAM
Good measuring equipment can always be recognised
by its size and even more by its weight.
You will see most professional engineers carrying
around a heavy case. But out there, up on
the roof, the heavier the tool to perfectly align the
dish, the more dangerous it becomes for the one
who is doing the job. Carrying around heavy stuff
on the roof of a house is not really sensible.
The weight of those measuring instruments comes
from the built-in cathode ray tube. Although most
of the times still in black and white, the power
requirements are high, increasing the weight of the
batteries. Some use LC displays but most of the
time, they also come with tiny buttons and a display
that’s hardly readable in bright sunshine. The new
MSK 33 from Grundig and Kathrein weighs only 6
kg. Not very light-weighted but still a much better
weight compared to the competition. It offers on-thefly
measuring and analysing digital signals, printing,
LCD display, battery and power adapter. And investing
in this measuring tool is a secure investment for
the future, since it is built on a modular basis, making
it possible to swap certain modules and upgrade to
newer technologies. You might, for instance, later
replace the MPEG II 4:2:0 board with an MPEG II
4:2:2 board. Many other tools can be thrown away
as garbage after a few years, not the MSK 33. It
will keep as valuable as it was even when newer
technologies come around. The MSK 33 can also be
upgraded with a graphic module making it the MSK
33/G, or the MSK 33/Q with a QPSK/QAM module.
Australian Satellite DXer Bevin Boden
I attended a radio convention at Mt Gambier South
Australia about three years ago. A fellow ham had
a display of satellite TV on 12 GHz. The analogue
receiver was fed by a 1.8 metre solid dish which I
learnt later was for sale. Well, for A$300 I made the
dish and LNB mine. I was able to buy a Panasat
analogue receiver for another A$300, and when
the convention was over I put this dish on the roof
of the station wagon and headed for Adelaide 300
kilometres north. When I stopped to get petrol I was
asked what it was that was strapped to the roof?
Standard answer: a large wok as used for making
lots of Chinese meals at charity functions. Oh, what
a good idea, was the reply. We Australians are odd. I
might add I also bought a C band LNB and polarotor
as well because I knew I would get a little bored
with one satellite and a couple of feeds all my life.
When I arrived home, it was up on the roof to set
the dish up and watch a new world out there. News
feeds, the odd movie and series transmitted for
regional stations to record for later transmission
and some sport. This enthusiasm lasted about a
week. Time to make a couple of arms and mount
up to look at C band. The Indonesian and Chinese
Want More? Free Time Travel 10 Years Back:
Read Full Magazine TELE-satellite 02/1999 Here:
stations opened my eyes more than anything and
I think any new enthusiast will tell you they get a
tingly feeling just looking at all the life being lived
by people out there. Your knowledge of the world
immediately expands and you become familiar
with various time zones around the world.
“Who has re-programmed
parental control?”
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