First, let me thank everyone for their suggestions. I will make it a habit to check in and take notes, and periodically make a progress report in these forums during coming months.
There is a broken link on our website that will be fixed...in the meantime, if you would like to be added to Skyvision's Email list for bulletins, go to the main website at
Skyvision Satellite Equipment Click on CONTACT US.
This will take you to a link go to the 5th paragraph down, which asks
"Would you like to receive Preferred Client exclusive Email offers?"
Click there and add your information.
Remember common sense rules about not contacting uplinkers directly about FTA signals on technical matters? Many a feed has scrambled or otherwise become unavailable because a hobbyist has inquired about access to a signal that is technically a private transmission. Common sense dictates that you can watch that signal, but should not start a conversation with the source of the signal.
This same analogy should be remembered by those that want to contact Motorola directly. There are technical and other reasons that we (hobbyists) should realize, and consider very carefully before bombarding them with questions and demands. Delicate negotiations are in process, and outside distractions could very well upset them, and ruin things for the entire community. Contracts have to be signed, and agreements accomplished on a number of levels. The same goes for Comcast....we are but a few thousand people in their universe of millions of subscribers. I would advise everyone NOT to bother Motorola or Comcast with suggestions on how to run their business. If you have constructive suggestions, Email them to me at Skyvision
mkohl@skyvision.com
On technical issues...a few facts. The W5 (AI) channel maps cannot co-exist with the mapping that you get from G1. This is not a financial issue, but a technical one that will be solved once the 4DTV datastream is turned off. Without the maps currently supplied on G1, there will be no interference. Until the datastream for 4DTV is removed, the time and place have not arrived to make any changes.
After December 31, there will be a great flexibility that we do not have right now.
We will be able to provide input to the proper engineering people, but please realize that every change requested will have a direct financial cost to us. Any addition will have to be weighed on its benefit to the entire subscriber community versus its cost. Send me any constructive suggestions, and they will be added for consideration.
Mike Kohl
Skyvision - Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Skyvision Satellite Equipment EMail
mkohl@skyvision.com