Praise for the first edition:

"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, which make the reading a real pleasure."
--European Broadcasting Union Technical Review

"The complexity of a satellite newsgathering system could be a four-month long college course with a high tuition rate and an enrolment number so large you have to watch your professor on a TV screen. Jonathan Higgins might have saved the independent learner a few attendance point deductions by fitting it into one book."
--Satellite Broadband magazine

An ideal introduction for anyone working, or interested, in satellite newsgathering (SNG). This book is an important and valuable work that is extremely easy to read, comprehensive in its treatment, and detailed where necessary. SNG used to be an immensely complex and expensive affair where broadcasting organizations were at the mercy of an expert who sat in a lonely corner, until needed. Things have changed--everyone in a global news organization needs to know about it now. This is not only because of the high costs of mistakes, but because now even non-technical journalists on the ground have to operate their own equipment. Learn the skills, basics of the equipment, cutting edge technology and critical safety issues of satellite newsgathering.

Jonathan, an independent satellite communications consultant, was formerly the manager of BBC News Location Facilities Unit. He has been very involved in the development of both truck-based and "fly-away" SNG uplinks over the past fifteen years and is also the author of Introduction to SNG and ENG Microwave, also published by Focal Press. Widely regarded as an authority on all aspects of satellite newsgathering, he has published papers, writen articles and given numerous seminars and lectures around the world on the technical aspects of newsgathering.