By Lynn Salisbury President IsoTropic Networks Inc.
From TV Technology News, March 7, 2007 Issue
Lake Geneva, WIS. - I look for the best in everything. That’s my attitude and that was the criteria when we began the search for a large aperture antenna with which to transmit out new iDirect Ku-band shared access service. IsoTropic Networks has long been an SCPC provider to multinational corporations in the Americas and believed it was time to host our own shared access network.
No Finger Pointing Critical importance for the antenna decision was turnkey delivery from a manufacturer who was willing to take responsibility for the entire project. All too often you run into finger pointing and pride of authorship when it comes to a project involving multiple vendors.
Patriot Antenna was willing to take on this project; however, a decision like this does not come lightly, so we went to the factory and witnessed the close manufacturing tolerances, accurate surface contours, the large hub and the experience of their design and build team. Based on what we observed, we were sold, and once the antenna was installed and operational, we couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome.
Patriot took responsibility for the antenna, including integration, deicing, tracking control system and final turn-up in conjunction with the satellite owner. Never before have we witnessed a group of people so dedicated to the premier performance of a product and unparalleled satisfaction of their customer.
The Patriot 9.5-meter antenna is a first for them and also a first for us. Since installing the new antenna, operations at IsoTropic Networks have become extremely efficient. The four-port feed allows us to perform our own cross-pol testing, significantly enhancing our ability to activate remotes in a timely manner. This alone is a considerable competitive advantage in the shared access business.
With the installation of the antenna, IsoTropic has realized the primary benefits of lower capital outlay, easy migration to new technology, potential lower cost of bandwidth for dollars spent, lessened strain on the in-house engineering staff—and from a more practical point of view—we did not need to enter into multiple contracts with various vendors. IsoTropic and Patriot got to know each other very well during the course of this project. The single point of contact with immediate answers allowed IsoTropic to acquire and deploy a significant network in a very short period of time.
The greatest testimonial to both of our companies is the philosophy of people, product, and service. This has greatly enhanced the prospects of our continuing and future success.
Lynn Salisbury is president of IsoTropic Networks Inc., a Global provider of satellite communications services located in Lake Geneva, Wis. She may be contacted at
