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August 28th, 2018

USA’s Largest Earth Stations 'Sans' Snow and Ice with Walton De-Ice Products


Earth station antennas can't do their job when they are covered with ice.

And so just in time for winter US Electrodynamics, Inc. (USEI), headquartered in Brewster, Washington announces that Walton De-Ice, designer and manufacturer of satellite Earth station antenna (ESA) weather protection solutions will ensure that USEI delivers the highest level of uptime despite winter storms at its teleports.

US Electrodynamics, Inc. (USEI), a major US teleport operator, is adding new antennas with Walton Plenum Hot-Air De-Icing systems to help ensure full usage of their services. 

USEI, headquartered in Brewster, Washington, provides government, commercial and private satellite and terrestrial teleport network services. These include Telemetry Tracking & Control (TT&C), broadcast video, mobility, GEO, MEO and LEO tracking and internet services. 

USEI’s Brewster Teleport in Washington State and Vernon Valley Teleport in New Jersey are major satellite gateways, delivering connectivity to the Pacific Ocean Region (POR), Contiguous USA (CONUS), and Atlantic Ocean Region (AOR).  USEI offers the combination of Brewster’s orbital arc view from 52 to 188 degrees West Longitude and Vernon Valley’s view from 3 to 143 degrees West Longitude.

At its Vernon Valley Teleport, to protect customers from snow and ice USEI currently operates eight Walton De-Ice systems on C- and Ku-Band antennas ranging in size from 4.8 to over 13 meters.  Even with the Brewster teleport’s extremely low precipitation, the Walton Hot-Air De-Ice systems add an extra level of protection for sixteen antennas ranging in size from 3.7 to 16.4 meters.   In addition, two electrically heated Hot-Air De-Ice systems protect smaller 2.4 meter Ka- and Ku-Band antennas.

Walton’s Hot Air De-Ice systems, including the company’s Plenum Hot-Air enclosure installed on the rear of an antenna, provide the most reliable and economic de-icing solutions on the market.  Unlike competing anti-icing solutions such as electric pad systems that can cause reflector distortion, Walton Hot Air De-Ice systems heat the entire antenna reflector uniformly, which minimizes reflector distortion that can cause signal problems at the Ku- and Ka-Bands.  Walton systems also uniquely offer maximum flexibility with electric, natural gas and liquid propane gas heater options. 

Darryl White, USEI General Manager stated that USEI is known for providing quality services, attention to detail and cost-effective solutions. The new and existing Walton De-Ice systems ensure USEI's antenna systems keep snow and ice from forming on their antenna reflectors during winter storms.  Walton De-Ice systems helps them to ensure their customers’ mission critical services meet their operational requirements.

He continued that due to growing demand, USEI is adding two new antennas equipped with Walton De-Ice systems at their Vernon Valley teleport to serve Ka-Band and other growth markets.  USEI continues to choose Walton De-Ice because of their industry-proven reliability combined with customer service, technical support and affordability.

Bill Walton, President of W.B. Walton Enterprises, Inc. (Walton De-Ice) remarked that they are delighted that USEI, one of the largest Earth station operators in the satellite industry, has decided to further leverage Walton De-Ice’s products to protect its customers’ signals from the effects of rain, snow and ice, and we greatly appreciate our longstanding relationship with USEI. 

During the IBC 2018 trade show, September 14-18 at RAI Amsterdam at Stand 1.A62, Walton De-Ice will be promoting its latest in gas and electric heated hot-air Plenum systems for large 3.7 to 32 meter antennas as well as its innovative Ice Quake and Snow Shield solutions for 0.6 to 6.3 meter antennas.