There are a number of ways to view these free, public domain Counter Drug satellite teleconferences. All of them are shown via satellite on several different types of satellite networks.

DBS (Direct Broadcast System) and DDS (Direct Digital Satellite) Downlinks: These are the newer, smaller, 18-24 inch DirectTV or Echostar type round or oval digital dishes. Currently, these WILL NOT work for these programs.

C/KU Analog Satellite Downlinks: This is still the most commonly used downlinks receiving these programs. These dishes are the same as those older 5-7 foot or larger, mesh or solid, steerable dishes that we used to see in the backyards of our rural neighbors. While this analog technology is older, there are still 10-12,000 of these dishes operating so if you can locate one within your community, you can participate. You can explore the following options within your community. YOU must make the local coordination to use the downlink. Once you have permission, we will furnish you with the required satellite coordinates about 7-10 days before each program if you register (at: http://www.ngbcd.org/CD1st.htm) and furnish your email and that of your supporting satellite technician.

Options for C/KU Satellite Downlink locations in your community include:

1. Cable TV Public Access Channels: (Not to be confused with PBS stations) More and more communities are asking their cable TV public access stations to carry these programs. Many cable TV companies are required to furnish one or two channels for public access programming. Public Access TV Outreach managers often welcome the opportunity to host these programs to help fill out their schedules. Be sure and emphasize that these programs are free; they are completely commercially content free; they have no videotape restrictions; they fill a public service need. No one will ever stand up to promote their book or videotape. There are also no videotape or copyright restrictions on most of these programs so they can usually be freely videotaped and reshown over cable access several times later that month for the benefit of parents and others who were unable to view the live program. If you go this route, please find out what the public access audience base total is and indicate that on your registration form, as we are very interested in this number.
2. School Districts and High Schools: Depending upon the state, like Georgia for example, many high schools and school districts have their own satellite downlinks. Others, such as many schools in South Carolina’s SC-ETV network, are linked into a "head-end" site that can relay the program across the state. If you determine that your local school or district has such a capability, please try and work through the school’s Safe and Drug Free School coordinator who may be completely unaware of this free programming resource. Florida and Missouri, among other states, also have extensive educational satellite capabilities.
3. Community Colleges, Universities, Colleges and some Technical Colleges: Most of these locations have a satellite downlink. The downside at some of them is that they often want to charge a fee for outside group to use their facility even if it is for a public service program. One approach is enlist a partner on that campus such as the substance abuse counselor if they have one, or the university police. Let them make the official request which should overcome the fee cost and then ask for you and your group to be included as their guests. Use your schedule of upcoming programs as an incentive. It that fails, try to appeal directly to a senior campus official pointing out that these programs are public service oriented and would of great value to the community at large.
4. VA Hospitals and other Hospitals: If you are fortunate enough to have a VA Hospital in your community, they often have a downlink. Many other local community hospitals also have a satellite downlink for the continuing education benefit of their staffs. Contact their education department. Unfortunately, none of these programs offer CME or CEU credits at this time, but they should be of interest to hospital substance abuse counselors. The California Distance Learning Health Network has several hundred downlinks within its state network for example.
5. Law Enforcement Agencies: Some local police departments, county sheriff’s offices, and federal law enforcement agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency, the US Customs Service and the FBI may have an analog satellite dish or they may subscribe to the Law Enforcement Television Network (LETN). Viewers in California and Arizona can take advantage of the Police Officer’s Standards Training Network which operates over 500 downlink sites in California and Arizona at local police departments and county sheriff locations
6. City Governments and State Agencies: Call your city manager’s office and ask if they have a downlink or know of an agency within the city that operates one. Many cities do. Some state Departments of Health or Alcohol and Tobacco or Health and Human Services also operate these dishes.
7. County, State and Federal Court Systems: They sometimes operate these dishes. (Note that Federal Court dishes are usually, but not always, digital and may not be available for these programs.)
8. Other Agencies: Other agencies you might try depending upon your part of the country include: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM, very good in West); your county agricultural extension office (best in the Midwest heartland); The Army Corps of Engineers; The Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Customs, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA); the FBI, your local 4H office, your local United Way office (who often do teleconferences of their own.) Also, some churches have these dishes. Also, call your local Chamber of Commerce, who may have their own dish or who usually know where the dishes are in a community. (But beware, don’t let them refer you to a hotel or other location that might want to charge you to use the dish.)
9. And as a last resort for C/KU locations: This actually works in some of the more rural parts of this country… try your local sports bar. They surely are not watching any football games on most Wednesdays when these programs usually air. It is the owner’s opportunity to "give back" to the community by hosting these programs. You can offer an incentive of having your group buy finger food and ice tea or even a meal. Finally, many farmers and other private individuals still have their older C/KU mesh or solid dish antennas. They will work if you have the right coordinates and more than local citizen has sponsored a house party for these events in the past.

The National Guard and the other military services operate several digital satellite networks capable of receiving these programs as part of the Government Education and Training Network. These satellite downlink dishes are fixed, digital VSAT dishes that do not move and do not rely upon satellite coordinates to be steered. They are instead electronically enabled or "authenticated" remotely to receive any given program from a central control point. These sites are usually, but not always available to do these CounterDrug broadcasts. Their operators must also register as above and furnish the site ID number (like ANG-009) and Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) number (like 098789) to be illuminated for each program.

These sites, (called the Warrior Network in the National Guard), are typically found at the National Guard HQs (or STARC Headquarters) in the state capitals of most states and at most all Air National Guard Base locations (perhaps at an airfield near you.) The USAF, the USA, and a few USCG locations also have the same type of digital dishes operating on the GETN system that are capable of receiving these programs. Bear in mind that they can receive the programs, schedules permitting, but local use by civilians is up to the local base commander. (Usually not a problem at National Guard locations, but more of a problem at bases where access is restricted.) Please work through your state’s National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Office who can assist you in this coordination. If you need their number you can locate the DDR office for your state at this web site:  http://cdweb.ngb.army.mil/devnew/regions/regions.htm 

Or Call Us… Now that we have done over 50 of these teleconferences we have identified nearly 3,000 locations around the country that either have their own dish or have access to one. If you cannot locate a dish based on the advice above, give us a call toll free at 877-820-0305. Perhaps there is already someone in your community registered to do the program you also have an interest in. Finally, remember that it is your responsibility to do the local coordination necessary to use any of these dishes within your community.

Hoping that IGOR, the Satellite God keeps your electrons flowing …

Ed Kronholm/Stephanie Scott
National Guard Counter Drug Satellite Programs Coordination Office
Toll Free: 877-820-0305 or 480-730-1388
Email Us at: dlnets@aol.com

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