American Antenna

Long before Satellite communication, Satellite internet and even Satellite TV – long before satellites in general, the world was a much bigger and mysterious place. You see, back before satellites, people had a hard time contacting one another and communication between other countries was a rather obscure practice usually reserved for the government or the privileged few. Before satellites, the world was a much larger place because the only way you could really see other countries or the rest of the world were through static images in books or television programs.

Nowadays, the world is much smaller and it’s because satellites are floating all over space, bringing all kinds of things happening all over the world straight to your television and computer. You no longer need to read a book or travel to a place in person to find out what the latest news is in that region – not when you can fire up your internet and run a quick search. There are even joint internet/satellite endeavors that have now made it possible to pinpoint your exact location from space using GPS systems and networks. No, the world is not quite as large as it used to be before satellites – and it certainly isn’t as private, anymore.

Ever since the first commercial communications satellite” the Early Bird” was launched way back in 1965, satellite technology has expanded exponentially. And its history goes back even further” the famed English writer Arthur C. Clarke suggested using satellites for communication as early as 1945, and the first passive communications satellite, the Echo I, was launched in 1960. In 1969, the Apollo astronauts used satellites to relay television broadcasts from the moon.

The telephone lines have made extensive use of satellite technology, which is the dominant form of communication in places (more…)

Breaking down the physics of satellite communications will allow people to learn more about satellite communication technologies. Communications satellites are commonly used for telephones. Talking to people over long distances is made possible through communications satellites. The signals from the communications satellites are easily retrieved through an earth station. From the perspectives of different people from Earth, it would appear that the communications satellites remain stationary. The communications satellites, however, are not stationary. Communications satellites are placed in what is called a geostationary orbit. A geostationary orbit is an orbit (more…)

The next generation of satellites may not be built in a high tech lab. Communication satellites may soon be built in a garage or a school shop class. In the past in order to construct satellites all the parts had to be special ordered from space industry suppliers, and the costs were astronomical. There is a new movement to build satellites from off the shelf products picked up at local chain stores. Can this really be done?

In the past satellites were made up of multiple components. These (more…)

Home entertainment begins with better television. At the bottom line, we pay for TV programming that our family considers entertaining. Technological innovations in the distribution of satellite TV’s broadcast signal contribute to the entertainment value of our family’s television experience by making something good, more convenient. Over the past year, satellite TV broadcasters (i.e. whose services are readily available at www.direct.tv) have rolled out fantastic innovations that increased programming choices, integrated interactive advertising features, and allow us to go mobile. There’s even iPad apps that allow for TV streaming and DVR management!

Bringing quality entertainment into our home via a la-cart subscription is a value-added proposition. The effort that employs satellite communications technology allows consumers to focus on three key preferences;
1.What to view,
2.When we want to view it, and
3.Where we may view our favorite programs

Customer convenience is the name of game. In some instances, satellite technologies deliver more recent movie releases; and they provide programming up to four weeks earlier than some online streamers and vending machine competitors. Advanced reception equipment can use streaming technology to permit recording of favorite programming for delayed playback. Premium satellite TV subscribers may employ Internet technology to experience true anytime anywhere choice. The satellite TV experience really is quite fascinating but it’s important to keep an eye out for what the cable providers retaliate with. They never go down without a fight. And for the next couple of years that competition is going to bring all sorts of fun and useful innovations!