U. S. Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

FDA/USDA Video Teleconference
Update on FDA/USDA Food Safety Initiatives

Technical Advisory
Background Information
Tuesday, May 5, 1998
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT

SPONSORS:

Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA
Food and Drug Administration, HHS
CSREES, USDA

AUDIENCE:

State and local health and education officials concerned with prevention of foodborne illness.

CONTENT:

Experts from the federal government and private sector organizations working on the food safety initiative will provide updates on the National Food Safety Initiative, the FoodNet Early Warning Surveillance System, and other FDA/USDA regulatory initiatives. Panelists will also discuss the status of the Partnership for Food Safety Education "Fight BAC!" campaign, and plans for the upcoming National Food Safety Education Month. After each panel, participants at local sites can call in questions to the panelists. Or prior to the video teleconference, fax questions to 202-720-9063.

WHERE:

Interested persons can view the video teleconference from any facility that can receive satellite transmission. Many government offices, hospitals and universities have such facilities. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THE SATELLITE TRANSMISSION.

TECHNICAL ADVISORY TO ALL DOWNLINK SITES
Please forward to all personnel responsible for satellite downlink equipment and setup/operation.

The program you wish to view will be carried live on standard C-Band and Ku-Band analog satellites. Television satellites are located in a stationary arc above the earth. There are more than 30 satellites potentially available to carry any broadcast. Each satellite has a designated name and number (i.e. Galaxy 7, Telstar 402, etc.) These satellites are also designated by their position in the sky, which are given a Adegrees west@ designation. For example, Galaxy 7 is located at 91 degrees west. To receive any programming from Galaxy 7, for example, your satellite dish must be aimed (pointed) at that satellite. Many downlink systems are Asteerable@ and have the ability to be aimed at all domestic satellites. Some are fixed and can only receive programming from a single satellite.

1. It is important to find a downlink site well in advance of the program date with satellite equipment able to receive the signal from the designated satellite carrying the program. In addition, some downlink equipment can receive both C-Band and Ku-Band signals, but others can only receive C-Band or Ku-Band. This must be checked!!

   Another factor in successfully receiving the broadcast will be correctly tuning in the correct channel once your downlink dish is aimed at the selected satellite. You will receive information containing all necessary specifications to accomplish this. In general, satellites have channels (or transponders) each carried on a specific frequency. You will see this printed, for example:

   Satellite:	(your satellite) C-Band or Ku-band
   transponder:	(usually 1 through 24)
   downlink frq:	4020 MHZ

2. Again, each transponder (channel) has a corresponding frequency. In most downlink receivers the frequency can be checked from a menu (and adjusted, if necessary)
   C-Band frequencies (downlink) will range from 3720 MHZ to 4180 MHZ
   Ku-Band frequencies will range from 14020 MHZ to 14485 MHZ

   A third important factor will be Apolarity@. In technoease, polarity is a way to turn 12 channels into 24...(very smart). Basically, polarity will be defined as either Ahorizontal@ or Avertical@. In some downlink receivers this may be shown numerically.

3. You must consult your operations manual or technical consultant to be sure your polarity to channel relationship is correct. The satellite downlink information will now look something like this:

   Satellite:	(Your satellite) C-Band or Ku-band
   transponder:	(usually 1 through 24)
   downlink frq:	4020 MHZ
   polarity:	(horizontal or vertical)

4. If your dish is aimed at the correct satellite with the correct channel (frequency) selected and the polarity is correct, you should see the broadcast. It is that simple ( OK!, it's not as easy as operating your microwave oven) and assuming that your dish hasn't been blown down in the last storm. You will also be given information about the audio. Usually, you will be given information that will include audio frequency information. Standard frequencies are 6.2 MHZ and 6.8 MHZ. (Each frequency can carry a separate audio signal (i.e. stereo) It is common, though, to have the same signal on both frequencies. Your satellite receiver will, most likely, be preset to receive these frequencies and you should not have to adjust them.

5. Check your manual and be sure you have an understanding of audio frequency settings! The satellite downlink information will now look something like this:

   Satellite:	(Your satellite) C-Band or Ku-band
   transponder:	(usually 1 through 24)
   downlink frq:	4020 MHZ
   polarity:	(horizontal or vertical)
   audio frq:	6.2 & 6.8 MHZ
   Most uplink suppliers will also include the satellite position.
   Position:	91 degrees west

   There are other considerations possible in down linking (these are usually within menu settings) to help improve the quality of reception. There are filters to clean up unwanted interference. There are video and audio gain controls. All of these are used once you are looking at the prescribed satellite and channel.(CONSULT YOUR SPECIFIC MANUAL FOR USE)

6. BUT WHAT IF YOU CAN'T GET THE PROGRAM OR JUST SEE SNOW OR NOTHING IS COMING IN.....ETC..... (here's the section to really pay attention to!!)
   A. Assume the problem is on your end. (It is very unlikely that the problem is on the uplink side. There are many highly paid professionals getting the signal up to the satellite)

   B. Do not wait till the program air date to try to tune in the satellite. Just because the particular show you want to see is not being broadcast, you can find other shows on the satellite to compare with a satellite guide or with the help line.

   C. If you are getting bad reception 2 hour before the show during the Test & Tone period, do something now....don't assume the picture will clear up.

   D. If you need additional help before the program date, call the local vendor that installed your equipment. (Satellites change position in the sky occasionally, therefore your receiver must be updated periodically.....your receiver does not automatically do this for you.)

   E. If you need additional help from the Help Line, please do the following

   1. Make the call at the receiver equipment. (We can help tune your equipment over the phone with your help, but you must be at the receiver.)

   2. We will ask you for the Make & Model of your receiver. (This helps us know what buttons to tell you to push.)

   3. Have the most technically proficient person on the phone...someone that has used the receiver before.

   4. Have user manuals ready.

   F. While the Help Line has been known to perform Amiracles@ over the phone and we really do enjoy your call, everyone will feel better if all the correct setup procedures are done in advance and you enjoy the program.

Satellite test and tone (12:30-1:00 p.m. ET). If you have transmission problems, call (202) 720-8559 or (202) 720-4001.