I called 3ABN this morning and they said the "transponder to EcoStar" was down. They didn't have any idea when it would be back up.

Like someone said above - 3ABN is totally missing from the sky angel lineup. This certainly doesn't look good to me.

This is the message on Spirit Television's site:

Quote:

---

Echostar has reported that a problem with a transponder aboard one of their satellites (beyond our control) is preventing you from being able to watch SPIRIT at this time.
We've been assured that this problem will be resolved by Echostar shortly. Thank you for your continued patience.

---

Times like these I am glad I have the AMC4 dish too

Shane,

here's more info
see http://www.dbsforums.com/compare/chart.html for more.



"The electric power converters (EPCs) on Echostar-3 are operating at higher than expected temperatures. As a result, Echostar-3 is operated at 120 watts per channel. If the satellite were operated at a "double powered" 230 watts per channel, approximately half of its 16 channel capacity would be unavailable during solstice seasons by the end of the satellite's planned life.
Between early 1998 and the end of 2003, 7 pairs of TWTAs (the core of the transponders) failed for a variety of reasons. During January 2004, another TWTA pair on Echostar-3 failed, resulting in a loss of service on one of Echostar's licensed transponders. While originally designed to operate a maximum of 32 transponders at any given time, the satellite was equipped with a total of 44 TWTAs to provide redundancy. Echostar-3 can now operate a maximum of 28 transponders. Because of switching limitations and the specific channels on which Echostar is licensed to operate at 61.5, currently it can only operate on 17 of the 19 frequencies authorized by the FCC (11 licensed directly to Echostar, 8 licensed to Sky Angel)."

For those of us that have AMC-4, Dove TV has been down for about 3 weeks due to simular problems. I don't know when or if that is going to get fixed.

On the 3ABN.org website they have announced that 3ABN will
no longer be shown on Sky Angel Network. THey have asked that no one call Sky Angel concerning this nor should they call 3ABN.

The latest on 3ABN website in the latest announcements:


Sky Angel Satellite Update
Sky Angel does not have a channel available for 3ABN at this time. Please join us in prayer that this problem is resolved soon and 3ABN channel may be restored to the package of TV channels.

Please don’t call them or us until we make any further announcements Thank you

9706 Spirit, 9710 3ABN, 9715 GEB are all in the same situation. They are now back in the channel line-up but state that they are "Off Air".

My pastor just emailed this to me:

3ABN NEWSFLASH - PLEASE READ AND FORWARD TO EVERYONE YOU CAN!

JUST RELEASED FOR ANNOUNCEMENT BY 3ABN DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MOSES PRIMO:


"After a satellite technical problem was resolved, Sky Angel decided NOT to restore the 3ABN channel on their package of channels. We encourage everyone to let Sky Angel know that you want 3ABN back on. They are not even answering the 888 number, but if you call

239-403-9130

and wait for the operator, you may voice your opinion or you may write to the following address:



Sky Angel, PO Box 7609! , Naple s, FL 34101

or e-mail to: webmaster@skyangel.com

by Moses 4/19/06 "



Please lift up 3ABN in prayer and pass this information to everyone you know. We know that God is fully aware of this problem to broadcast the Gospel message in the closing moments of earth's history, and we know that HE is in control. Please continue to pray about this so the multiple thousands who have the Sky Angel programming will be able to see the upcoming Ten Commandments Weekend LIVE broadcasting from Washington, DC on May 5 and 6. We are seeing some final events!

Michael Wilson

This contradicts the information given at a later date on the official 3ABN web site where people are requested not to call Sky Angel nor 3ABN until further notice