No. 284 (September 2000)

Satellite Newsgathering

This book will soon become the Reference for anyone interested in SNG. It covers: technology; systems; communication satellites used for SNG and how they are launched, used and maintained in orbit; transportation; safety; logistics, and regulatory issues. It is also about working in extreme conditions, from city streets to battlefields, in all climates and where time is of the essence.

Satellite Newsgathering is a handbook aimed at professionals working in the field, as well as those with an incidental interest in the subject matter. It deals with technical theory as well as practical considerations, intended to give those interested in SNG an insight into the technical and operational considerations in specifying and operating these systems around the world, and both the satisfaction faced in doing so successfully and the problems occasionally faced. It is a wonderful source of information and has the merit of going straight to the subject, being technically precise although very easy to understand. There are numerous pictures, photographs, diagrams, etc. which make the reading a real pleasure.

A definite must!

Satellite Newsgathering
Jonathan Higgins
Bound volume of 474 pages
Ref: ISBN 0-240-51551-X. Price £27.50.
Focal Press, Oxford, UK, March 2000
Web link

Louis Cheveau

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Antennas and Propagation for Wireless Communications Systems

This text presents a thorough introduction – at an intermediate level – to the basic concepts involved in wireless systems. Because of its generality of approach, it is also suitable for the broadcasting engineer interested in learning many of the basic theoretical concepts of propagation as well as antenna design.

The book is constructed in a logical manner and covers such diverse topics as electromagnetic waves and propagation, antenna fundamentals, channel modelling and propagation statistics. The explanations are lucid and many examples and illustrations are given. The mathematical detail is limited to the essentials with much weight being given to the processes themselves which underlie the physical phenomena. This leads to a strong intuitive understanding of "what's happening".

This book would also serve well as an introduction to more advanced texts on communications engineering and can be recommended to anyone interested, in any way, in this fascinating subject.

Antennas and Propagation for Wireless Communications Systems
Simon R. Saunders
Hardbound volume of 409 pages
Ref.: ISBN 0-471-124729-7. Price £39.95
John Wiley & Sons, UK, July 1999
http://www.wiley.com/

Terry o'Leary

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