SATELLITE DISH -- WEAR IT AS A BEANIE 

The only problem with the new small satellite dish, is that it's so small you may lose it.

Satellite CD Radio recently conducted their first public demonstration of a digital audio broadcast (DAB), to be delivered via satellite with compact disc (CD) quality to a consumer antenna. The patch antenna that will be used when the actual service is up and running will be two inches square, about the size of a business card. The antenna can sit on a window sill or be mounted on an automobile under the paint. These antennae might even end up as a baseball-type "beanie" for joggers and walkers. They will allow reception even when cars are moving at high speed or partially shrouded by trees or similar obstructions, thus eliminating the signal break-up and "multipathing" familiar with current radio. Eventually the mini-dishes should be able to handle 120 channels, but initially, according to spokesman M. Rothblatt of Satellite CD Radio, they would probably only offer 30 to 60 channels. Such channels can be allotted for regional or nationwide audiences.

It's the same technology used during the recent Gulf War. Remember the days when it took 65 years, as in the case of the now ubiquitous electric motor, from invention to universal distribution? Now it takes mere months.

How is this possible? For one thing, at least at the moment, they are only transmitting radio. Secondly, the new satellite that will be transmitting such fare will be more powerful, using 50 watts of power at 2.3 GHz. That's 10 times more power than contained in the original television satellites. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) only recently announced the allocation of such a frequency. Dolby technology will handle the digital processing.

"Narrowcasting" a series of programs, is much like many of the new "special interest" magazines appearing in the Gutenberg format. It is hoped that the same satellite will attract those whose numbers, in any one city, are not large enough to warrant a special interest local station. However they would garner an audience large enough to be profitable when most people with a specific interest are listening from all over a country or continent. Such groups as America's bird watchers, dog lovers, pigeon breeders, tropical fish fanciers or electric train aficionados would qualify. You tune not by station, frequency nor city, but by format ! Listeners and viewers also get a constant window on their radio displaying, with music for example, the artist, song, format and station (channel).

For the first time this gives a company, an organization or the wide-awake entrepreneur the ultimate soapbox-in-the-sky. Satellite CD Radio says its operational charge for the "owner" of any particular channel would be about $100 per transmission hour. No doubt those who take a 24 hour-a-day, year-round contract would get a substantial discount. Digital signals will cover up to one-fourth of North America for about the cost of providing an analog signal over a metropolitan area. Continental coverage would use four channels.

Radios able to receive the new frequency are not yet built, but Rothblatt expects about one million, vehicle and home/office receivers to be manufactured by 1995. Cost of the new different frequency (NOT AM or FM) radio receiver is estimated to be about US $200. Proposals for construction of the new satellite will be issued, according to the company, as soon as the FCC issues the construction permit.

The pay-for-listening service would cost $4.95 monthly or $49 for the pre-paid annual fee. A module identification code would be zapped to each receiver from the satellite, which would turn on the service after payment is received.

More information: Robert D. Briskman, Senior VP, Engineering, Satellite CD Radio, Inc., Techworld Plaza, Suite 750, 800 "K" Street N.W., Washington, DC. 20001-8000. Phone: 202/789-4200. Fax: 202/408-0925.

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