We recently heard of reception problems with various Astra transponders at 19.2 degrees East, especially in eastern Germany, and reported on them and possible causes.
However, as has now emerged in a joint conversation with those responsible at SES Astra, the cause is not a malfunction of the Astra satellites at 19.2 degrees East, but possibly the proximity to the shutdown of the ARD SD transponders.
How did the disruptions come about?
First of all: The cause of these disruptions often lies in old communal systems, which have sometimes been in use for well over ten years without any attention being paid to them. In particular, aging cables, especially those with damaged shielding, can be the cause of interference. Especially if they are older than around 15 to 20 years old. Their attenuation is already significantly higher than with new coaxial cables. In addition, the cause of the error can lie in the entire distribution technology. This also includes the antenna socket and the cable from it to the receiving device.
These weaknesses were only noticed by affected participants after apparently quite a few satellite viewers took January 7, 2025 as an opportunity to take action after the SD shutdown of the ARD programs in order to continue watching the programs in HD.
This fact only became apparent upon detailed analysis.
Why did Astra 1P go into operation so quickly?
It’s true that it was put into operation quicker than originally thought. However, this did not happen because one of the old Astras suddenly showed weaknesses at 19.2 degrees East, but because the technical deployment of the new Astra 1P went ideally.
Usually, a new satellite undergoes an intensive test phase, which cannot be precisely quantified in advance, at a specially designated orbit position. Astra 1P also completed these test routines. And with flying colors! The tests were completed much quicker than planned. Now SES was faced with the question: “What do we do now? Keep the satellite operational until the originally planned commissioning or put it into service now? Those responsible have decided on early commissioning. Which is also more than human. Generally speaking: every technician is happy when he can see his “child” in action.
To the point
At 19.2 degrees east everything is fine. This applies to all five satellites, i.e. Astra 1KR, Astra 1L, Astra 1M, Astra 1N and the brand new Astra 1P. This is currently being put into operation and so we know that the reception of our German programs will work even better in the future than it already has.
Also interesting:
Image source:
- SES-Astra-Satellit-Antenna: © SES
Source: www.digitalfernsehen.de
