Astre Systems, Inc. - Company History

Company History

Operations began in April 1984 as an in-house manufacturing operation of a UHF TV station to supply its own needs for a television transmitter. Word spread, and soon we were building two, and then three transmitters. After satisfying our own needs and the needs of the other stations, the TV station decided to stick to broadcasting proper, and to get out of the manufacturing business. A deal was struck in which the assets were transferred and a corporation was formed. Thus Astre Systems Inc. was formed in July of 1986 with George Ledoux as its president. Mr. Ledoux has been in UHF TV broadcasting since 1964 with heavy emphasis on transmitters. Starting as a transmitter engineer, he worked up through transmitter supervisor to Chief Engineer and finally to stockholder of a top five market station. Mr. Ledoux is active in all phases of the day-to-day operation of Astre Systems Inc..

Astre Systems Inc. has experience in manufacturing all types of transmitter technologies. We have built transmitters using standard klystrons in both integral cavity and external cavity configurations. In 1990, Astre Systems Inc. supplied a redundant 30-kW transmitter in the PAL-D/K 625 line, 50 Hz standard to Shenyang, China. We were the first manufacturer to employ Philips PDC (MSDC type) klystrons in a TV broadcast transmitter. As of July 1994, we were only the second company (Harris was the first) to deliver a 240 kW MSDC transmitter using klystron technology to broadcasters. In addition to new transmitters, Astre Systems Inc. is available to update your present transmitter to digital MSDC technology at approximately 15 to 25 percent of the cost of a new transmitter.

FACILITIES:

Astre Systems Inc. is located at 1046 Reno Avenue, Modesto, California. Modesto is located approximately 90 miles due east of San Francisco, and 90 miles south of Sacramento, the state capitol. Modesto has a population of over 205,000 with abundant lodging and facilities in the area. Air travel can be direct to Modesto, although less expensive fare can be found via San Francisco, Sacramento, or Fresno, as each is about 90 minutes via freeway to Modesto. Plant tours may be arranged by appointment.

ENGINEERING SERVICES and TECHNICAL SUPPORT:

Astre Systems Inc. has experience designing transmitter plants from the ground up and can offer whatever level of assistance is desired. We can assist in planning your new installation or in upgrading your existing installation to the latest energy-saving digital technology. Whether it's just a water system upgrade or a complete transmitter update, Astre Systems Inc. can provide you with complete engineering facilities. We have 24-hour parts and technical support by telephone or on site as needed.

RECAP:

Astre Systems Inc. has been dedicated to the manufacturing of High-Power UHF TV transmitters since 1984. Our products currently are limited to UHF TV and include models from 10 kW to 280 kW. They are available in internal cavity or external cavity types, 2- or 3-tube redundant configurations, or single-tube multiplex models, water-cooled or air-cooled; NTSC, PAL or SECAM standards are available. December 1991 marked the delivery of our first 120-kW, MSDC type analog transmitter. Our first 240-kW MSDC analog transmitter went on the air in October ‘94 in Charlotte, N.C. Followed by our second 240 kW unit in 1995, and our third 240 kW unit in 1996. All of these 240 kW units were purchased by the same customer for three or their stations.

We also manufacture our DIGITALplus™ line of 8VSB ATSC digital transmitters at all power levels from 10 watts to 120 kilowatts average power. Our models are high-efficiency, high-performance systems which use IOT or CEA technology specifically designed for high reliability and affordability.

In 2002 we purchased the first Constant Efficiency Amplifier (CEA) tube from Litton Electron Devices, now called L3 Communications. We showed our first DIGITALplus™ transmitter at the 2002 NAB show in Las Vegas having sold two transmitters at that time. You can see one of our DIGITALplus™ transmitters operating now in the New York City ADI.

In addition to providing the best value in new transmitters, Astre Systems Inc. can update your present transmitter to the latest digital technology with MSDC-IOT (CEA) energy-saving tubes. Regardless whose low power exciter you are using. We have successfully converted a 1986 klystron transmitter to 8VSB digital service with great results and for very low cost. Call for details.