[TWIAR] TWIAR SkyScanner Satellite Network

[w2xbs]

Hi Everyone..

I just had a conversation with Pat who is the
program director for the new satellite network.

The SkyScanner Satellite Network is the new
incarnation of the former W0KIE Network which
our program was on for years.  The new network
is on Ku band, digital FTA (Free to Air).  Currently,
Skyscanner is leasing time from a network called
"Access America".  (For more details see their web
site at www.access-america.net.)

Under the new lease system, all programmers must
pay a small fee to be uplinked on the network.

The cost to us to have the full version of This Week
in Amateur Radio, and This Week in Amateur Radio
International carried on the network is $20.00 per month.

If anyone out there would like to underwrite the carriage
of the programs on the satellite network, please get in touch
with me before the end of January, for a fresh start on the network
for the month of February.

If anyone is taking the service off the bird for air on your
repeater system, you may want to consider helping us out
with this project. As of now the new network is not carrying
the program. (Although Pat is streaming it on RFD and it may
on occasion leak through to the bird.)

Please be aware that if no one chooses to underwrite the
carriage of the service on the satellite network, we will
be leaving satellite distribution for internet only distribution
of the programs.

One advantage to underwriting the satellite air time is if
we pay the $20./month, it will get us locked into a permanent
air slot for both programs.

Let me know what you think.

73 George - W2XBS
Executive Producer
This Week in Amateur Radio
This Week in Amateur Radio International