Satellite truck

A satellite truck is a mobile communications satellite earth station, typically mounted on a truck chassis as a platform. They are used for remote television broadcasts, to transmit the video signal back to the studio or production facility for editing and broadcast. Satellite trucks usually travel with a production truck, which contains the video cameras, sound equipment and crew. A satellite truck has a large satellite dish antenna which is pointed at a communications satellite, which relays the signal back down to the studio. Satellite communication allows transmission from any location that the production truck can reach, provided a line of sight (direct view) to the desired satellite is available.

Equipment

Typically a satellite truck will have its own on-board power source such as an electrical generator or inverter to create the alternating current to power all the transmission systems, which makes it a true independent mobile satellite transmission entity. Often such trucks also have various degrees of video production equipment and video editing gear. This equipment allows these trucks to also act as mobile electronic news gathering (ENG) facilities, or they can even be outfitted to do an electronic field production (EFP) to create an entire television show with multiple switched professional video cameras, character generators (CG) for digital on-screen graphics, video tape recorders (VTR) and video servers.

Most satellite trucks have typically been built on a light or mid-duty truck chassis with 6 wheels; usually with 4 tires on the rear axle. All the equipment is mounted into the truck in racks that are fabricated into the box. Satellite Trucks are generally referred to as 'fixed load' vehicles, meaning that the amount of equipment on-board generally does not change and the weight of the truck (other than fuel) ordinarily does not fluctuate.

Regulations

Some of the larger satellite trucks weigh over 26,001 lbs, and therefore require the driver to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Satellite trucks over 10,000 lbs GVWR are required to stop at weigh stations, undergo annual DOT inspections, and the Truck driver (usually also operates the truck) needs to pass a physical examination mandated by the DOT, maintain an accurate Drivers Daily Logbook, and comply with Hours of Service rules for professional drivers.. Satellite Trucks part of a commercial fleet, or weighing over 10,000 lbs are considered commercial vehicles by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT).

Uses

Some newer generation satellite trucks are also being used for crisis communications and command and control centers for law enforcement (homeland security) emergency managers and public utility companies.

The fact that these trucks do not rely upon terrestrial (land based signals received through a conventional aerial) communication systems makes them ideal for information distribution and bandwidth creation in the aftermath of severe tropical cyclones, floods, and earthquakes when these land based systems are damaged or destroyed. In the wake of hurricane Katrina, when the communication ability of news media outlets far exceeded that of many federal and state relief agencies, many governmental bodies have since migrated to a mobile satellite based communication platform.

C-Band satellite truck

In the United States, C-Band Transportable uplinks ("Transportable Earth Station" (TES) or Satellite Truck) was initially used to transmit longer-format live television like sports television events and entertainment television programming. C-band satellite transmission require a larger antenna than the K_u band trucks developed later in the 1980s; and a larger satellite antenna takes longer to set up and deploy.

Prior to dispatch of a C Band transportable uplink, an RF Interference study needs to be completed. An RFI is a computer-generated report detailing any FCC protected microwave stations in the immediate area. This "frequency coordination" process has to be completed before an uplink transmission can commence. Terrestrial point-to-point signals share C-Band transmit frequencies (5.700-6.500 GHz), and full-time terrestrial signals take priority over ad hoc (temporary) C-Band uplink transmissions. Factors such as terrain, buildings and other structures are considered when determining the likelihood of interference from the TES.

Historically, it was necessary to install land telephone lines (also called hard or wired lines) where the TES was located. This was expensive and difficult to do at the time, since telephone companies were not used to setting up phone lines without notice of several days or even weeks. Early scrambling or encryption methods required a hard line for authorization of receive sites. Today, a digital cellular telephone is sufficient for most situations.

C-Band transportable service remained a prevalent source of long haul transmission because of its immunity to the "rain fade" that K_u band experiences in significant rainstorms. C-Band transportable services cost more than similar K_u service due to the robust nature of the signal, the larger physical size of the truck, and specialized nature of C-Band transmissions.

With the advent of K_u band trucks (that don't require frequency coordination) and long-haul fiber optics providing similar signal qualities, C-Band transportable service experienced a slowdown in service volume in the 1990s. It's still used in situations where rain-fades (a problem affecting only K_u band uplinks) are unacceptable and where fiber-optic links are not practical. C-Band uplinks are still commonly used for golf, auto racing, horse racing, and major college sports events in rural areas where local fiber interconnects to long-haul networks are either not available or where the low number of events at the venue per year made installation of fiber not cost effective. K_u TES outnumber C perhaps 30:1, when you consider the number of TV Station, Network and "freelance" K_u trucks versus the limited number of C Band trucks.

Even with diminished usage, C-Band transportable services are still utilized as an alternate to fiber optic cross-country transport as an 'alternate' transmission path. Most broadcast networks utilize both in order to protect their remote broadcasts that may be worth millions in rightholder fees.

In the 2000 era, High Definition Television (HDTV) remote broadcasts caused a resurgence in C-Band transportable uplink service. The major factor in the resurgence was the limited amount of available bandwidth in local and long haul fiber optic service, while uplink systems merely required installation of High Definition MPEG digital encoders and decoders at either end.

K_u band satellite truck

Mobile K_u band satellite transmissions for television broadcasts started in Canada, until the Conus Communications of St. Paul, MN along with Hubcom in Florida built the first SNG or Satellite News Gathering truck in 1983. Along with the truck, and later used vans purchased from Telesat in Canada, Conus developed a comms, or communications, system which allowed satellite transmissions without the need to drop phone lines. ENG, or Electronic News Gathering was never the same, and it was now possible to go 'live' from anywhere the truck could drive, by raising the antenna, and seeing the satellite.

The development of the mobile phone, and its decreasing cost of operation and hardware over the years means trucks didn't need a satellite "comms" system in most places in the continental United States. Satellite time was also easily booked on an 'as-needed' basis, typically around $500 per hour for the common K_u band TV transmission.

Over the years, K_u band Satellite trucks have undergone changes, from large trucks with C Band dishes outfitted with landing pads and antenna wings to make them FCC compliant to more simple rapidly deployable K_u band type. The K_u band uplink vehicles are available in a series of small to large vehicles varying from a SUV, van, Sprinter, "bread truck (cutaway)", to the more common carryall (2 axle/6 tire truck). The typical K_u uplink vehicles, are as large as 13 feet 6 inches tall by 40 feet long, the largest (Non tractor trailer type) commercial units allowed on the roads of the continental United States.

Satellite Vehicles are either TV station or network-owned and custom suited to their internal usage needs, or are rental units owned by independent companies. Independently owned satellite uplink vehicles are often designed to be versatile to performing multiple uplink functions ranging from straight uplink/downlink services, network news, satellite media tours, or even being configured to being a full production vehicle.

Such large uplink trucks now have multiple camera television production capabilities all on board, as pioneered by SDTV (Satellite Digital Teleproductions) in the early 1990s. These combination, uplink with production, Transportable Earth Station (TES) are now the preferred vehicle for smaller (One to eight camera) on location live television broadcast instead of a separate uplink vehicle working alongside a larger 50 foot tractor trailer production only vehicle, although the latter is still a regular occurrence.

There are a few combination production/uplink combination vehicles where the uplink system is located on the semi tractor and the production facilities are in the semi trailer. These systems add the ability to physically separate the uplink from the production unit. Typical scenarios for this are when the production trailer has to park inside a building or if the uplink antenna has to be positioned farther away from the production trailer in order to make line-of-sight to the satellite arc.

Larger Satellite vehicles are often television production control rooms (PCR) /Mobile Newsrooms/Workspaces on wheels, operated and maintained by broadcast engineers known as satellite truck operators. Both operators, of units large and small, are known to have a vagabond lifestyle, spending large parts of their lives on the road.

Now even a simple flyaway transportable units can be packed all into two suitcases, all small enough to be airline compliant. The smaller suitcase flyaway units are often used to supplement a build on location television control room or to provide satellite uplink facilities in locations where a truck cannot be easily transported.

Satellite truck operation and maintenance

Full-time Satellite Truck operators can earn from $35,000 USD to over $100,000 per year depending on the number of hours worked, years of experience in the field, and the area in the US typically served (positions in major metropolitan areas often compensate more). There are some companies that keep databases of part-time or freelance satellite truck operators.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) offers a course on the operation of satellite trucks but most operators have learned their trade from an industry mentor or a combination of both formal in school and on the job informal training.

While helpful formal training in electronics is not required to be a satellite truck operator in fact even camera persons have made the transition from photography to transmission. What is required is a clear understanding of the operation of each device on the truck and at what point in the transmission flow it is used. Most modern day electronic equipment is too complicated to repair especially in the field. A truck operator however is expected to be able to quickly identify a defective device and either replace it or engineer a way around it. It is for this reason a strong transmission flow understanding is essential.

Having a back ground in auto mechanics is also a plus especially when you consider the truck's main power source is a diesel generator. At the absolute least, an operator should know how to change an oil, fuel, or air filter and troubleshoot common engine problems i.e. burning oil, fuel pump failure, starter/alternator issues...

Like other vehicles, trucks need regular maintenance and upkeep. Commercial vehicles must pass annual DOT inspection inspections. Older trucks are more difficult to maintain because of increased vehicle wear, availability of parts (for discontinued nameplates), and availability of qualified service personnel fluent in maintenance issues of older vehicles. The expected lifespan of most truck chassis are roughly 8–10 years or 200,000 miles, dependent on operating environment. It is common for satellite truck boxes to be swapped over to a newer chassis.

Driving the truck to and from event locations is a large, often overlooked, part of the job. Satellite truck operators are often not as interchangeable as reporters/producers/camera crews, and as a result, can be worked full news cycles (morningside to nightside). When this happens, the DOT Hours of Service rules may prohibit the operator to drive the truck. This often proves to be complicated for planning and logistic purposes.

By the very nature of the work a truck operator is expected to travel, often at last minute. Most uplink-for-hire operators keep a packed suitcase with at least 7 days of clothing in or near the truck for prompt deployment.