Position 13.0° E is one of the most densely populated in Europe. Powerful television broadcasting packages are concentrated here for audiences from the British Isles to the Middle East, and Hot Bird 13F is the main hub of this orbital crossroads.
The satellite operates exclusively in the Ku-band, has 38 active transponders and provides transmission of over 505 television and radio channels. For satellite dish owners in Ukraine, position 13.0° E is accessible with a 60 cm antenna in most regions of the country.
Launch and technical platform
Hot Bird 13F launched on 16 June 2022 from Cape Canaveral, launch complex SLC-40, aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9. Manufacturer - Airbus Defence and Space, platform - next-generation Eurostar Neo with an estimated service life of 15 years.
Eurostar Neo differs significantly from previous generations. Increased energy efficiency and enhanced payload power enable denser transponder capacity utilization without signal quality loss. The transition from Hot Bird 13C to 13F for end users was virtually seamless - the position and frequency plan remained unchanged.
Coverage zones and reception in Ukraine
Hot Bird 13F forms several spatial beams for specific regions. The primary beam - Europe BSS - covers all continental Europe, including Ukraine. Additional beams are directed at North Africa, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.
| Beam | Coverage | Antenna diameter for Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
| Europe BSS | All continental Europe | 60 cm (centre and west), 90 cm (east) |
| North Africa | North Africa, Mediterranean | 90-120 cm |
| Middle East | Middle East, Turkey | 120 cm and above |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Africa south of the Sahara | Not recommended from Ukraine |
For Kyiv and central regions, a 60 cm dish is sufficient. In practice, when tuning a 0.85 m mirror in Kharkiv and Dnipro, the signal level under dense cloud conditions remains with adequate margin, whereas at 60 cm under the same conditions brief interruptions are possible. For stable reception in eastern regions, it is better to use 90 cm or 1.2 m from the start.
Transponder capacity and frequency plan
38 active transponders. Ku-band only. Standard - DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation support, ensuring efficient bandwidth utilization and compatibility with the vast majority of modern receivers.
The frequency plan covers the standard Ku-band from 10.7 to 12.75 GHz with vertical and horizontal polarization. The total number of channels in the database is 505 positions, both open (FTA) and encrypted. The high density of transponders makes Hot Bird 13F one of the key nodes of European satellite broadcasting.
Television packages and open channels
Position 13.0° E is traditionally home to the largest European television packages. Hot Bird 13F hosts channels from leading broadcasters:
- Italian channels: RAI, Mediaset, Sky Italia
- French channels: France Télévisions and other broadcasters
- German channels: ARD, ZDF and regional broadcasters
- British channels: Sky UK and related services
- African television channels and thematic services for diaspora
Some channels are broadcast in open FTA mode and are available without a conditional access card. Encrypted packages use various access systems depending on the broadcaster.
Frequently asked questions
What antenna is needed to receive Hot Bird 13F in Kyiv?
For stable reception of the main European beam in Kyiv, 60 cm is sufficient. If you plan to receive weaker transponders or want a margin during rain - get 90 cm.
Are there Ukrainian channels on Hot Bird 13F?
Some Ukrainian television channels are present at position 13.0° E, but the bulk of content is oriented towards Western European audiences. An up-to-date list of channels is available in the transponder database on the website.
What broadcasting standard does the satellite use?
DVB-S2 with QPSK and 8PSK modulation. Most modern receivers support this standard without additional configuration.
Can Hot Bird 13F reception be combined with other satellites on one dish?
Yes. Position 13.0° E combines well with neighbouring positions - 9.0° E and 16.0° E - using a multi-feed installation or motorized system. The angular distance between positions allows the use of standard spaced brackets for feeds without complex design solutions.