Winegard provides VSAT antennas for DTS SatCom box, oil field operator

Very small aperture terminal (VSAT) manufacturer Winegard Co. will provide more than 200 customized portable VSAT units to Data Technology Solutions (DTS.) DTS will integrate the Winegard compact satellite communications terminals into its new SatCom Box on behalf of one of the largest oil field services companies in the U.S.

Winegard's customized VSAT systems provide data, voice, and video communications services for oil field service companies on both coasts of the United States as well as the Gulf of Mexico. A VSAT network allows the headquarters of DST's customer to directly stay in contact with its many, widespread oil field operations without having to go through a single terrestrial station.

Winegard entered a multi-year contract with DTS for the former's Small Footprint VSAT system. The Winegard SatCom terminal's compact 2-way antenna can fit inside its custom-fabricated skid, making transportation and integration easy.

DTS customizes their SatCom Box product according to their customer's specific needs. It will integrate the Winegard VSAT's controller and antenna mount into a patent pending SatCom Box.

According to Mike Guidroz, President of DTS, Winegard was chosen because of its innovative and reliable antenna designs, the speed at which those same antenna can be customized according to the user's needs, and the rugged construction of its VSAT units.

Winegard was able to respond in weeks or even days when presented with a request for a specific antenna, compared to competitors which reported took months to do the same. “Speed to deliver is a key factor for our customers,” Mr. Guidroz said.

"The SatCom Box has set a new standard in the industry,” said Jon Manley, Director of Engineering for Winegard. He added that Winegard proudly supplied its premier VSAT antennas to DTS for integration into the latter company's SatCom Box.

Winegard's extensively-engineered and tested satellite antenna lead the industry when it comes to performance, quality, and usability. The Company's VSAT systems is compatible with HughesNet, iDirect, Gilat, and ViaSat modems, allowing it to provide high-quality Internet on satellite and other SATCOM services.

Winegard took pains to reduce total cost of ownership through its product's single-button operation. Its VSAT system can be set up without any need for additional equipment or knowledge, and it also automatically acquires a satellite uplink, all in less than three minutes.

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Boeing receives approval for COMSATCOM Services Acquisition Program

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and General Services Administration (GSA) have authorized Boeing Commercial Satellite Services to act as a service provider of the Future COMSATCOM Services Acquisition program.

Boeing is now authorized to provide assorted satellite communications services to U.S. government customers. This including both fixed and mobile transponded and subscription services.

Boeing offers subscription agreements on military-unique services like UHF and Yahsat's military Ka-band, Ku-band and Ka-band commercial services from the Inmarsat-5 satellite, and L-band services from Inmarsat and Thuraya. These services can be secured through a GSA Schedule 70 contract with Boeing.

According to Craig Cooning, CEO of Boeing Satellite Systems International, the COMSATCOM program is another opportunity for Boeing to provide quality satellite communication services to its customers.

"Boeing continues to support the government's increasing need for satellite communications bandwidth," Mr. Cooning said.

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Hitron debuts HCMS D-SNG satellite-link monitor-control software

A recent announcement made by Hiltron Communications introduced their brand new HMCS D-SNG satellite-link monitor and control software. The latest member of the Hiltron product portfolio, HMCS is a cost-efficient system designed to work with the newest generation of high-definition (HD) D-SNG media vehicles.

HMCS provides full control of professional satellite systems such as the Ericsson Voyager II contribution encoders. It employs an intuitive graphical user interface and helpfully color-coded alarm message system. It is written in Java and is compatible with Linux, Apple OSX, and Microsoft Windows (XP, 2007, Server 2003/2008) operating systems.

HMCS is completely compatible with the HSACU D-SNG controller that Hiltron introduced only a short while ago.

Hiltron's newest satellite system control software uses an integral database that records and stores specific satellite transponder and encoding profiles. HMCS can also control whatever satellite communications and video equipment that the customer needs to use.

HMCS supports a huge selection of drivers for modulators, encoders, integrated receiver decoders (IRDs,) redundancy controllers, and spectrum analysers. Hiltron's new software also comes with a basic driver for the Hiltron HSACU antenna control unit, and customers can request a different driver.

Shapiro talks about NewSat's Year End results

Adam Shapiro, Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of NewSat, which is to date, Australia’s largest satellite communications provider, spoke to Boardroom Radio about the company’s 2012 Year End results, NewSat’s best financial result to date, as a corporate office primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation.

Shapiro discusses NewSat’s financial and operational highlights, including a 29% increase in revenue, a positive EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) up 111% and 306 new teleport business contracts, or agreements entered into voluntarily by NewSat and other parties with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing, although contacts can be made orally. He also provided an outlook for shareholders, or individuals or institutions (including corporations) that legally owns any part of a share of stock in a public or private corporation. NewSat continues to win new business through contacts both from: teleports (telecommunications ports), a satellite ground station with multiple parabolic antennas (i.e. an antenna farm) that functions as a hub connecting a satellite or geocentric orbital network with a terrestrial telecommunications network; and Jabiru, Australia’s first independently owned satellite operator to manage a fleet of commercial Ku band and Ka band satellites  ~US$380 million secured in funding and a strong sales pipeline.

See: NewSat's Satellite Internet Services