The SABC's TV/radio satellite distribution system

During 1986, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) implemented a system for distributing its TVI program and various radio programs via a leased transponder on an Intelsat satellite to distant terrestrial transmitting stations for rebroadcasting purposes. The system and its performance are described. A brief description of the B-MAC (B version of the multiplexed analogue components system) coding format is included. Problems experienced during the first two years of operation and the solutions applied are discussed, as well as the overall successes of the system. Problems considered are: the potential existence of interference from terrestrial microwave links, rain attenuation, lightning damage to equipment, synchronization problems between B-MAC and asynchronous video signals, cross polarization effects, and satellite tracking/stationkeeping.<
>