SID
The SID corresponds to the Channel number of the digital provider. For example, on EchoStar 7 the NASA channel SID is 213. If you tune your Dish Network receiver to channel 213 you will receive the NASA channel.
Transponder
The abbreviation or acronym often used is TP. The word Transponder is itself the abbreviated concatenation of two words, transmitter and responder. The transponder on a satellite in space receives signals from the earth and transmits signals back to the earth, usually on another frequency.
Multiple channels can now be put on the same transponder frequency as a result of compression technology. For example, the NASA channel is one of 13 total channels on transponder 11 at frequency 12370 of the satellite EchoStar 7.
Transponder frequency is typically in Mhz (Megahertz). There is also polarity to be observed when tuning a receiver. The polarity can be denoted as L = Left, R = right for circularly polarized DBS satellites and H = horizontal, V = vertical for linearly polarized satellites.
Example 1: The NASA FTA Channel on EchoStar 7
NASA Channel reception info:
- Satellite: EchoStar 7
- Transponder Frequency: 12370
- Transponder Number: 11
- Encryption: none
- SID: 213
Example 2: The FOX News Channel on EchoStar 7
Fox News Channel reception info:
- Satellite: EchoStar 7
- Transponder Number: 6
- Transponder Frequency: 12297
- Transponder Polarity: Horizontal
- Encryption: Nagravision 2/3
- SID: 205
12297/H/20000/5/6