Receiving Meteosat, GOES, MTSAT, Metop, AVHRR and ATOVS data from the EUMETCast DVB Service

The new and the old - DVB satellite dish for EUMETCast
and QFH antenna for polar orbiting APT

How do I get the new data?

You can now receive data from EUMETSAT via a TV broadcasting satellite - Hotbird 6 - as an alternative way to either direct reception from Meteosat or using the Internet to download the data.  This service is called EUMETCast, and it is provided by a tq®-TELLICAST server.  Just like direct reception, the data is only broadcast once so if you miss a transmission, that's tough, you miss the data!  Many EUMETSAT services - Meteosat-9 (MSG-2), FSD, AVHRR and ATOVS - are available through DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting).  DVB is the way that Meteosat-8 and now Meteosat-9 data is being made available in Europe following an amplifier failure, and a whole lot more data has been added since the start, and EUMETCast now provides the main dissemination for Metop-A data.

• Meteosat-9 (MSG-2) data is being broadcast over the DVB route since one of its power amplifiers failed.  Meteosat-8 and Meteosat-9 (formerly MSG-1 and MSG-2) comprise the second-generation geostationary weather satellite for Europe, providing twelve spectral channels instead of the previous three, more resolution, and twice the scan frequency.  You can see some sample results here.
• FSD - foreign satellite data - includes 3-hourly images from geostationary satellites around the world, such as the GOES-West and GOES-East stationed over the Americas, Meteosat-7 providing the Indian Ocean Data Coverage (IODC), and MTSAT-1R covering Asia and Australia.
• EARS-AVHRR provides a unique service of the high-resolution 5-channel HRPT image data from the AVHRR scanner on NOAA-17 and NOAA-18.  By combining the data from several ground stations (currently in the Canary Islands, Northern France, and Svalbard, north of the Artic Circle), a Europe-wide coverage is obtained, providing data which no single ground station could receive.  This data is of superb quality, have 1km ground resolution capable of producing spectacular images with ten times the resolution of APT.  Previously, you needed a tracking antenna and expensive 1.7GHz receiver to get this data.  An example of the coverage can be seen here. 
• EARS-ATOVS provides a retransmission of the thermal and microwave sounder data not available to APT weather satellite users.  This comprises 20 channels of thermal imaging data, and 20 channels of microwave data for each pixel in the image, allow detailed investigation of the properties of the atmosphere as the channels are carefully chosen to coincide (or not) with absorption in the atmosphere due to the presence of carbon dioxide and ozone.  The penalty you pay for getting such high spectral resolution is that the spatial resolution is reduced - the pixel size is much bigger than the HRPT or APT data that we are used to seeing.  Together these are called ATOVS data.  You can see some sample results here.
• DWDSAT basic service (free) not only provides much meteorological data in both text and graphical formats, since November 2006 high-resolution polar orbiting data from a variety of NOAA satellites calibrated and geographically rectified to cover the European region.
• EUMETCast is the main dissemination in Europe for data from the new Metop-A satellite, launched in October 2006.  Uniquely, this satellite provides high-resolution continuous round-the-world coverage, bringing you data at 1km from many parts of the world never previously routinely imaged at such high resolution.

If you have questions about Meteosat-8 or Meteosat-9, please consult the EUMETSAT Web site.  For a brief overview of EUMETCast please see the Information Note on EUMETCast.  Further information about trouble-shooting EUMETCast is available in the EUMETCast Troubleshooting Guide.  There is also an informal Yahoo group for MSG-1 and MSG-2 where many users may be found.  EUMETCast also includes the optional DWDSAT data stream - there are also Yahoo groups covering the different requirements for and uses of AVHRR data,  DWDSAT data, and Metop data.

Paperwork

• First you need to complete the online EUMETCast Registration form available at the EUMETSAT Web site.  There is quite lot more data than just the ATOVS, AVHRR and Meteosat-8/9 and the guidance available here will help!  You can ask to receive data either from the Internet, from a broadcast satellite (DVB), or both.
• Please note that the same form should be completed if you want access to the 30-minute Meteosat-7 Indian Ocean Data Coverage (IODC) data carried over EUMETCast.  You need to complete that form to get the "HRI Licence", and you may need to complete that form again if your original application was before April 2004.
• For advice on completing the form, please see the GEO Web site.
• A technical document - TD15 (PDF format) outlining how to set up their receiving station is available on the EUMETSAT Web site.
• Once EUMETSAT have received your application, they will process it.  For amateurs, the data access is basically free, although there may be a small service charge.  For the UK, there is no service charge.  The process could take 2 - 3 weeks during holiday periods, but is often quicker.
• Once EUMETSAT have accepted your application, assuming you want DVB data, they will invoice you for the cost of the TelliCast DVB software and EKU (USB eToken) required to turn the DVB data stream into Meteosat-9 (MSG-2) segment data.  This costs about €100.
• You can now pay EUMETSAT by credit-card.  Telephone the credit card details to them.  Do not send your credit card details by e-mail or FAX.  Telephone: +49 6151 807366 / 377 and explain the call is for TelliCast software or EKU payment.
• When you have paid EUMETSAT, they will send the TelliCast DVB software and eToken.
• EUMETSAT will send you a username and password to access the service by e-mail (they may also send this with the software). 
• Here is my diary of events - it's a bit dated now, but people keep asking how long it will all take!

If you have any questions about this procedure, please do not e-mail me, but ask on the MSG-1 Yahoo Group where there are lots of people who have been through the procedure.

Hardware

A complete DVB system will comprise a satellite receiving dish to be mounted outside, an LNB (low noise block) which converts the 11GHz signal down to the 1GHz region and amplifies it to overcome cable loss, good satellite cable terminated with F-connectors to connect the LNB to your DVB card, and the DVB card itself which fits into one of the PCI slots inside your PC.  For Ku-band reception in Europe I recommend the SkyStar 2 card from the GEO shop.  Note that a 5-volt PCI slot is required, and some recent PCs with PCI-X slots are not compatible - be sure to check before purchase.  For Meteosat-9 EUMETSAT recommend that you have a separate PC dedicated to data capture and file sharing, and that it should be at least a 2GHz Pentium 4 system.  (If you use the more recent Pentium 4 HT processors, be sure to disable hyperthreading as it may not be supported by earlier versions of the software).  For data capture, I have recently used an old Pentium III 550MHz machine as my Receiver PC.  While Windows 2000 Advanced Server is not supported, Windows 2000, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows XP systems work correctly.  Widows Vista is also OK, although my own tests have been with a USB 2.0 hi-speed box rather than a SkyStar PCI card, and are described here.  Be sure to use fast hard disks in the receiver PC, with as big a disk buffer as possible (8/16MB rather than 2MB), and a fast connection (UDMA 66/100 or serial ATA) to help minimise the chance of missing segments.  The length of the cable from LNB to PC is not critical, and 15-20m is typical.  You can purchase these from various suppliers, and you may be able to get a good package deal buying all the items together.  The GEO Shop has fair prices and aims to provide good service - why not join GEO and get the highly-regarded GEO Quarterly magazine?

More information about configuring your PC.

You can find an introduction Data Transmission using MPEG-2 and DVB systems here.  There is more detailed information on transmission system here (PDF file).  The present service uses a QPSK modulation with a 3/4 Code Rate at a 27.5 MSymbol/sec rate, resulting in a 38.00 Mbit/sec bit rate stream which contains all the EUMETCast data and other services from the 10853MHz H transponder on HotBird 6.

Software

• Your DVB card will come with TechniSat software.  This allows the card to receive data and TV broadcasts, so while you are waiting you can watch the BBC World service and many other broadcasts from Hotbird 6.  You cannot easily receive data at the same time as watching TV, though!  I recommend waiting until you get your CD from EUMETSAT which contains the recommended V4.3.0 SkyStar drivers, and installing no software from the TechniSat CD.
• The T-Systems TelliCast software may replace components of the TechniSat software when you install it.  It turns the DVB card into a channel through which files are received from EUMETSAT, and dumped on your PC. Management of those files is your responsibility.  Ensure that your supplier of TelliCast software offers adequate support, as there can sometimes be tricky problems with this software.
• To manage and decode Meteosat-9 (MSG-2) data, you can use the MSG Data Manager from this site.
• To make false-colour images, remap to standard map projections, or animate the images you can use GeoSatSignal from this site.
• To make real-time monochrome or attractive paletted false-colour animations from Meteosat-9 or Foreign Satellite Data, you can use the MSG Animator.
• Software to decode the Sea-Ice and Sea-Surface Temperature data is available.
• Software to visualise the ATOVS data is available.
• To decode the ATOVS or RSS data, you can use any of the available software.  Although most of the professional software is for UNIX, low cost ATOVS Reader software for Windows is available from SatSignal Software.
• To decode data in the GRIB Edition 1 or GRIB Edition 2 format, you can use my GRIB Viewer software.
• To visualise the HDF5 format LSA data from the Land Surface Analysis SAF, you can use my HDF Viewer.

Performance monitoring is possible if you have SNMP installed.  You can see what my card is doing here, which is updated from time to time.
For more information on the Meteosat-9 (MSG-2) data flow can be found here.

Getting the system to work

Installation

• Most likely you will get your hardware before you have the TelliCast software and EUMETSAT user name and password, so will probably be tempted to start by proving the system in TV reception mode.
• I recommend that you only install the software provided on the EUMETSAT CD, and follow the detailed installation instructions they provide.
• If you must check out the card before getting the EUMETSAT CD, and I do not recommend this, install the DVB card into your PC, and install the TechniSat software that comes with the card.  You may find that the pre-configured transponder data is for the Astra-1 satellite, and as a first test that will suffice.  Astra-1 is at 19ºE and Hotbird is at 13ºE.  If you start with the Hotbird satellite then you may need to do a time-consuming scan of the transponder channels before you can receive any TV signals, unless you know the channel details in advance.  You will need to un-install this software and start again once you get the EUMETSAT CD.
• GEO's satellite guru John Tellick comments: "Astra-1 at 19ºE and Hot Bird at 13ºE both provide strong signal levels which show up well on the TechniSat SatFinder meter (for example).  I suggest people initially point their dish in a 'southerly' direction and it's usually quite easy to find these two strong signals a few degrees apart.  The left one will be Astra-1 and the right one Hot Bird.  However you can get accurate Hot Bird dish pointing co-ordinates for your individual locations with WXtrack or at the EUMETSAT Web site.
• Note that the DVB card can get quite hot, so try to either leave an air-gap on either side, or perhaps use a small extra fan.
• The dish comes with assembly instructions.  Check that you have all the parts before scattering them all over the floor!  The first step is to assemble the LNB clamp. Note that a small-diameter adapter is supplied that appeared not to be needed with my LNB (or is this a device to restrict LNB movement?).  The various plastic items are supplied as one moulding, and broken off as required. The screw holding the LNB clamp together was missing from my kit.
• Next, pass the cable through the LNB mounting arm, and fit the LNB and rear cable clamp to the mounting arm.  At this point, the mounting arm may be set in position using the plastic clamps provided. I was slightly surprised by the force required.  If your cable has two connectors already attached you will not be able to feed it through the mounting arm, and will need to secure the cable with tape later.
• Next, assemble the clamps which mount the dish to the mast.  I was missing one nut and bolt for this, but the two remaining seemed adequate. Time will tell!
• Finally, assemble the mast clamp to the dish.  Note that it is shaped to allow the dish to be vertically rotated after installation.
• Note that because the feed to the dish, the LNB, is offset from the axis of the dish, the back of the dish will be almost vertical, not tilted back at an angle looking up towards the satellite.
• The orientation of the LNB affects the polarisation of the antenna.  It should be mounted with the lead dropping vertically away from the assembly.

Alignment

• Undoubtedly for me, alignment was the most critical part of the whole process.  Whilst I was able get satisfactory alignment myself, with the dish mounted on a patio stand, when the dish was mounted on the house I let the professionals use their own satellite meter.
• Remember that the frequencies here are about seven times higher than those for Meteosat or GOES WEFAX/LRIT, so the pointing accuracy has to be about seven times better, as the antenna size is similar.
• If you have accurate directions (use a satellite tracking program such as WXtrack to tell you where the satellite is, and find the time of day when the sun is at the same azimuth), then you can align using the PC and its DVB card.
• If you have to rely on a compass, instead of using the sun, do remember to allow for the magnetic deviation at your location.
• You will need someone at the PC (or a remote control link) to keep an eye on the signal strength, while you move the dish.  Yes, it can be an hilarious process!  You should move the dish by a fraction of a degree at a time, and you will need to have the elevation approximately correct as well. Have patience!
• It can make things easier if you have a satellite signal strength meter available.  If you cannot borrow one, look at the easy-to-make Satellite Signal Meter recently published by Arne van Bell on the rig-l Yahoo group files area.
• If you are using the PC, be sure to select and define a transponder before trying to pick up a signal....  A full transponder scan can take 2 hours, so select just the EUMETSAT channel to start with.  You will only need to scan the channels if you wish to use the system for TV, rather than data, reception.
• Very carefully adjust the dish for maximum signal. Start the Setup4PC program, and either click the Status button (if you have a channel selected) or use the Transponder management menu to select the EUMETSAT channel (or an Astra channel if you are testing that way), and click on the Edit button.  This provides a display updated in real-time showing measures of the signal strength.  There is a bar marked Signal Quality, with Red, Yellow and Green states. Aim for as high a quality as possible.  See: Checking the signal level screenshot below.
• Final tweaks may be made by rotating the LNB very slightly away from true vertical while watching the status display (and not a signal strength meter!).  You may also move the LNB towards or away from the dish for absolutely best signal.
• If you have not already installed the TelliCast software, do so now, and set it up according to the instructions supplied by EUMETSAT.  It is recommended that you wait until you get the EUMETSAT CD before doing any installation work.  Installing the TelliCast software includes specifying a user name and password, and the folder to receive the output data.  Make sure you have plenty of space on the disk you choose!  If the software is installed in C:\Program Files\T-Systems\BusinessTV-IP\, then the received files will be in C:\Program Files\T-Systems\BusinessTV-IP\received, and the log file will be C:\Program Files\T-Systems\BusinessTV-IP\recv.log.
• If you are intending to receive other data such as DWDSAT or Metop, you may wish to make alterations to the common \received\ directory to split the data for subsequent processing.  There is more information here, here and here.
• Start the tc-recv.exe program (this may happen automatically), and a new icon should appear on your taskbar, with a white rectangle and a purple "T" if everything is working correctly.  If not, check the log file, and the Web browser control panel reached by right-clicking the TelliCast taskbar icon and selecting HTML Shell.  The Active Channels page should show the announcement channel as always active, and the data channel as occasionally active as data files are received.   See: Checking you are receiving data screenshot below.
• If you do not receive data, first check that you have the correct PIDs selected (see: Checking the PIDs and Statistics screenshot below).  The active PIDs should include 0x0064 (the announcement channel) and 0x01F4 (the EARS and RSS data channels).  These PIDs should be preset from the T-systems software installation, and you may need to add a PID for Meteosat-9 (MSG-2) data - that is 300 decimal which you enter as 0x012C (hex).
• You may want to check the excellent Web page of Hugh Marnoch describing the alignment process and software settings.
• James Brown in South Wales reports a signal strength between 70% and 79%.  However, note that the reported signal strength will vary according to which DVB card version you have and which driver software!
• Ap van Weeren reports that even with a sun-blind over his balcony-mounted dish, the signal is OK.  At least that's with a plastic sun-blind.  Positioning the aluminium blind support over the central part of dish does affect things, though!

Presentations

Zipped PowerPoint presentation entitled The Challenges of MSG-1 presented at the Symposium, Leicester, 2003 May 02.

Problems and FAQs

Further information about trouble-shooting EUMETCast is available in the EUMETCast Troubleshooting Guide.

The TechniSat User Guides may be downloaded here.  Please note that these are not EUMETCast specific.

Q 01: My data stopped early in October 2004
A: Please note that the transponder frequency was changed to 10853MHz on September 30, 2004.

Q 02: GOES-9 (GMS) data stopped after September 14, 2005.
A: The data was replaced  by data from MTSAT-1R.  You may need updated software - check you have at least V1.5.4 of the MSG Data Manager.

Q 03: Meteosat-5 and Meteosat-7 data stopped after October 25, 2005.
A: You may need updated software - check you have at least V1.5.4 of the MSG Data Manager.

Q 04: Why is some of the channel 12 (HRV) data missing?
A: There is not enough downlink bandwidth to allow the full-width HRV scan to be sent from the satellite to the ground station, so a half-width scan is transmitted.  This scan is split into a northern part fixed over Europe, and a southern part which tracks the sun.  This is shown in the 2MB animation from EUMETSAT.

Q 05: My system sometimes locks in CYFRA+ rather than the T-Systems channel.
A: Assuming you have the most recent drivers from the EUMETSAT CD (V4.3.0), try changing the transponder frequency from 10853MHz to a value 5MHz higher. (from: EUMETSAT via Christof Ueberschaar).

Q 06: I have now a green Satellite, but a yellow "T", how do I get it to turn pink?
A: Peter Benney writes:  In Setup4PC select the data service "EUMETCast :: Hotbird 13 E" and check the assigned IP address of the card (Run: ipconfig)
    IP Address :192.168.238.238.  see: page 14 in Technical Description EUMETSAT TD 15.
A: Arne van Belle comments: Please check in Setup4PC button "status" that the correct transponder is set (Network should read: T-Systems) and verify that Signal Quality is well above 55%.

Q 07: I just upgraded or re-installed the SkyStar drivers, and I lost Data Channel 1 and Data Channel 3.  I am now only getting HRIT data.
A: Did you check the correct PIDs on Data service "EUMETCast :: Hotbird 13 E"?  Be careful that you did not set PIDs for the "T-systems :: Hotbird 13 E" data service!  Right-click on the green Setup4PC icon in the system tray to check.  (Confusingly, on the Transponder Status display, the "Network" information will be shown as "T-Systems".)

Q 08: I get ATOVS data but not Meteosat 8/9 data.
A: Did you remember to add the 0x012C MSG-1 PID?  It seems that you may need both the EARS PID and the MSG-1 PID at present for MSG-1 reception to work....

Q 09: Why don't I get LRIT data?
A: You need to add PID 0x012D (decimal 301) to get the data.

Q 10: But I already checked, and the PIDs are correct.  What now?
A: Please select EUMETSAT rather than T-Systems from the green Setup4PC system tray icon (by right-clicking).

Q 11: It seems as if my eToken is not recognised - I can't get services I am licensed for?
Q 11: I keep getting messages like this in my log file:

    ERR:2004-12-01 08:46:19.625:Cannot join channel "EUMETSAT Data Channel 3": Missing key 39492.
    ERR:2004-12-01 08:46:21.406:Cannot join channel "EUMETSAT Data Channel 1": Missing key 39493.

A: You did install the RTE351 software and the eToken, and it's glowing red, correct?  Check that you can see properties for the eToken when running Start, Programs, eToken, eToken properties.
A: Your username password is wrong:
    - you used the username and password for FTP access, not the user_name and user_key.
    - If you manually edited recv.ini after install make sure to use "user_key=" and not  "user_key_crypt="
A: The eToken driver service is not started.  In Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services;  check that the Smart Card service startup is set to Automatic, and that the service itself is Started.

Q 12: I keep getting messages like this in my log file:

    VRB:2003-04-01 14:56:57.359:Channel "TSL Announcement Channel": Lost message 1100498
    VRB:2003-04-01 14:56:57.359:Channel "TSL Announcement Channel": Lost message 1100499

A: I sometimes get small groups of this message - possibly when I overload the PC where I have the card with too many other tasks.  You may be able to reduce the sensitivity of the TelliCast software to PC loading by using a RAMdisk (PDF document).

Q 13: What are the files named AMSU... and HIRS...?
A: These are files of ATOVS data from EUMETSAT Data channel 1.  The MSG Data Manager can process these files if you enable the Manage box on the Channel selection, Other page. 

Q 14: What differences does LRIT have?
A: Fewer sensor channels, transmitted less frequently, and with lossy compression.  However, images from satellites other than Meteosat-9 are included.

Q 15: When will the data loss due solar-outage happen for my station?
A: Please see the page on Solar Outages written by Arne van Belle

Q 16: Why are there multiple solar outages?
A: There may be an outage at your station when the sun goes behind HotBird as seen from your location.  There may also be an outage when the sun goes behind Meteosat-8 as seen from EUMETSAT's receiving station.  Similar outages can affect all geostationary weather satellites.

Q 17: Should I keep the T-systems HTML Shell running?
A: Some people have reported a memory leak in this shell, and others have noticed a higher CPU load, so it is probably better to reserve use of this shell for trouble-shooting rather than to leave it running.

Q 18: The TelliCast software is slow to restart, after it's been running for a while.
A: This may be the log file renaming process if you have the maximum number of log files in the \Tellique folder.  (Thanks: Arne van Belle).

Q 19: I get unexpected error messages, for example: "File system full".
A: Try stopping tqrev or  tc-recv, deleting any *.fsy files in C:\Tellique\Receiving\temp\, and re-starting.

Q 20: In Task Manager I see two tc-recv.exe processes (one with about 3.5MB and one with 10MB of memory) and one Server4PC process.
A: These are the processes associated with the TelliCast software and DVB card, and are normal.

Q 21: I am running Windows 2000 and my PC gradually runs out of memory.  The process scardsvr.exe seems to be leaking memory.
A: Set the "Smart Card" service to Startup = Manual or Disabled.  You should not see this if you have the eToken hardware and software installed.

Q 22: I am running a Timestep ProSat interface and can't access the 192.168.238.238 IP address of the USB SkyStar adapter.
A: Remove the Timestep interface (from Don Bache).

Q 23: Why can I not access the T-systems monitor from the TelliCast software?
A: Perhaps you have firewall software installed.  You may need to add the TelliCast software to the list of allowed programs.

Q 24: Can I test the system with TV data reception?  Can I use both at the same time?
A: For testing purposes only, if you want to use the system for TV reception under Windows XP, with Media Player 9, you may need a registry patch.  Paul Marsh notes: The key to add is HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\ShimExclusionList.  Under here, do a New, Key and type TV4PC.EXE.  Restart the server4pc and tv4pc applications and it works!  Please note that you may not be able to receive data and TV pictures at the same time.  With the Dexatek/DVBworld USB boxes simultaneous TV and data is possible, but the TV content may not all be suitable for family viewing.

Q 25: Why do I get missing segments?
A: Please see the summary of Missing Segment issues.

Q 26: What size of RAMdisk should I use?
A: Whilst 25MB should be enough for normal Meteosat-8/9 only reception, during late May 2006 EUMETSAT sent out software updates over EUMETCast which needed a somewhat bigger RAMdisk.  If you have plenty of memory, or want Metop AVHRR reception, I would suggest a RAMdisk size of 80MB, but otherwise try a value nearer to 35MB.  Remember that if you alter the RAMdisk size, you should alter the file_database_size parameter in the TelliCast recv.ini file.  I suggest you set the RAMdisk to 80MB, and the file_database_size=83000000 (80 x 1024 x 1024 = 83886080, so you are allowing a small margin by specifying 83,000,000).  A reboot will likely be required to alter the RAMdisk size, and a restart of the TelliCast software would be required to read the new file_database_size value.

Q 27: How do I edit recv.ini and recv-channels.ini
A: For Windows XP.  Using Windows Explorer, locate the file recv.ini.  Double-click on the file.  You get a dialog box saying that Windows cannot open the file.  Click the "Select the program from a list" radio button, and click OK.  After a pause, a list of programs appears.  Scroll down to Notepad, and click on Notepad to select it.  Check the "Always use the selected program...." checkbox.  Click on OK.  From now on, any file with the .INI extension will open in Notepad.

Q 28: I have just installed on a brand new PC, and TelliCast gives the error "Connect failed" as I move the mouse over the red TelliCast icon .
A: Check the IP addresses by using the IPCONFIG command at the command prompt.  If the IP address differs from the IP address in the recv.ini file, change the two so that they match.  See here for more information.  (From Arne van Belle and Fred van den Bosch)

Q 29: Since early August 2006, I have been getting lots of missing segments on the Foreign Satellite Data (FSD).
A: Check that you have upgraded your TelliCast client software to V2.4.4 B.  If you do not have this update, please contact EUMETSAT.

Q 30: Since 23 September 2006, I have only been getting Met-5, Met-7 and GOES/MTSAT data.
A: MSG-1 developed a fault on that date, and MSG-2 data has temporarily replaced the MSG-1 data.  You may need to upgrade your reception software.  More information.

Q 31: Since 2007 April 12 my MSG-1 data stopped.
A: Meteosat-9 (MSG-2) data replaced Meteosat-8 (MSG-1) data and you may need to adjust your reception software.  More information.

Q32: What size of dish do I need?
A: EUMETSAT recommend quite a big dish (85cm) and the bigger the dish you have, the greater protection against signal drop-outs or loss due to rain etc.  In practice, you can manage with 67cm or larger dish over much of Europe, but if you are near to the extremities of the Hotbird-6 footprint, a bigger dish may be required.  Ask on the MSG-1 Yahoo group about your own location.

You may also want to check out Bepi's step-by-step Guide to configuring a EUMETCast receiver system.

Statistics

You can see the data flow statistics for my DVB installation on the Web.  They are updated from time to time.  Note how the quantity of data varies throughout the day.  These statistics are created by running the MRTG software, and enabling the SNMP service on the Receiver PC.

Click for more details

Screenshots

Checking the signal level

Checking the signal level

To get this screen, right-click the green Setup4PC icon in the taskbar, and select Setup4PC.  Click the Status button.  Note that the audible signal strength indication - enabled and disabled by clicking the small speaker button next to the Signal Quality display - is only available on more recent versions of the SkyStar software.  While the older V4.2.2 works well with the PCI card, V4.3.0 is now the version recommended by EUMETSAT.

Checking the PIDs and statistics

Different logos on the Setup4PC display

(older V4.2.2 drivers, panel has a Help button)

(drivers not from TechniSat?)

Checking the PIDs and statistics

To get this screen, right-click the green Setup4PC icon in the taskbar, and select Setup4PC.  Note the logo on the screen which helps identify which driver version you have.  Click the Statistics tab.  Note that if the TelliCast software is not running, the throughput figures will be zero, as there is no software listening for the IP packets being sent by the SkyStar software.  To check this, run a "netstat -a" command and look for UDP ports 1065, 4711 and 4712 in the list.

Channel Names

These are the data channels available in Europe through the Ku-band HotBird-6 satellite.  Please see the EUMETSAT site for details about other satellites (e.g. C-band coverage of Africa and the Americas).  The table below is sorted by channel name.

You need to ensure that at least the announcement channel PID, and the PID or PIDs for the data you want to receive are present in the Setup4PC program.  Selecting the EUMETCast :: HotBird 13E service by right-clicking the green Setup4PC icon is an easy way to do this.  Certain data may require your eToken to be enabled by EUMETSAT before reception is possible.  

* - two numbers in the Data Rate column usually means nominal rate / observed rate.
** - some references give channels EPS-13 - EPS-17 as NOAA, rather than Metop data.  This is for NOAA GAC data (lower resolution) from various NOAA satellites.  A subset of NOAA polar orbiter passes will be tracked by the EPS ground stations, processed in the EPS system and disseminated by EUMETCast.  The schedule however is TBD since METOP commissioning has priority.
¤ - during decontamination of Meteosat 9, the role of primary and back satellites may be reversed, and the primary Meteosat-8 data will appear on channels 2 & 3, and backup Meteosat-9 data on channels 5 and, bandwidth permitting, channel 5.  See, for example, Access to Data, December 2007.  Meteosat-8 is now in production mode with the rapid scanning service.
*** - not in latest EUMETSAT list (Nov 2006).
§ - full scan until May 2007, reduced height rapid-scan from June 2007.
§§ - until May 2007.
§§§ - DCP moved from Data Channel 3 to Data Channel 9 on 2008 Mar 25.
§§§§ - Jason data planned to move from Data Channel 8 on 2008 May 06.

Status: P = production, T = tests, C = commissioning, ? = unknown

The EUMETSAT version of the table can be found at the bottom of this page.

Checking you are receiving data

Checking you are receiving data

To get this screen, right-click the purple TelliCast icon in the taskbar, and select the HTML Shell menu.  From your browser, select the Active Channels option.  Most of the time, just Data Channel 2 (HRIT) will be active.  Data Channel 3 (with LRIT data) will often be active as well.  As the refresh of the screen can take some CPU cycles on the receiver PC, don't leave this display running any more than you need to.

 

Copyright © David Taylor, Edinburgh

Last modified: 2007 Dec 23 at 15:16