February 22nd 2008 --

Harps Products Slashes High Postage Rates Special

Now thru March 10th 2008 the following charges will be in effect; US Customers will not be charged the normal $8.95 Return Shipping and our customers in Canada and Mexico will enjoy the same savings. The USPS Priority Flat Rate Box Return shipping charge of $23.00 US is reduced to only $12.90 US reflecting the same savings of their US neighbors.

We hope all who have receivers that need repairing will take advantage of this huge savings. Thanks for all of your support and we would love to hear from you with your thoughts on this and anything else relating to our services, Contact Us.

Harp

February 20th 2008 --

Consumer Groups Keep Pressure on Sat Radio Merger

As Sirius and XM kept to their waiting game concerning regulatory approval for their pending merger, the same entities that have been fighting the deal since it was first announced surfaced again at the Portals this week targeting the proposed $13 billion transaction.

In a filing sent to the Federal Communications Commission, advocacy groups the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union and Free Press continued to pressure the agency about the proposed XM/Sirius combination, calling the deal a monopoly "that will unleash the market power of the satellite digital radio service providers at the expense of the public."

They said an offer from the companies to deliver a la carte programming choices to consumers "cannot compensate consumers for the loss of competition." The groups also said that "nothing in the regulatory proposal will protect artists or retailers from the exercise of market power."

They added in their FCC filing, "The merger will enhance the profit of the satellite radio company at the expense of the public."

XM and Sirius first announced intentions to combine operations in February last year. In addition to winning an OK from the FCC, the deal is before antitrust staff.

February 17th 2008 --

April Date Set For Vinasat-1 Launch

April 2nd is the date now set for the launch of Vietnam's first comsat, the Vinasat-1. The final launch checks have been completed, according to the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group who own the satellite. Costing $180 million, the Vinasat-1 will be able to offer more than 200 DTV channels as well as handle Internet data transmissions and telecom channels. Lockheed Martin built the satellite, which will have a lifespan of 15 years. Handling the launch itself is Arianespace. Vinasat-1 will have final orbital position of 132° E.

February 16th 2008 --

SpySat To Be Shot On Site

A Navy missile will be fired at the recalcitrant U.S. spy satellite that is heading to Earth, in an attempt to reduce the re-entry remnant to negligible bits. President Bush made the decision following the advice of his national security advisors. Gordon Johndroe, the National Security Council's spokesperson, said this will be the first such effort of its kind. The window is rather small for the missile attack, but General James Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there is a reasonably high opportunity for success. The decision was reached due to the fact that the satellite is carrying a goodly amount of hydrazine, which is a hazardous rocket fuel. Danger to mankind? Minimal, according to Michael D. Griffin, NASA Administrator. If the satellite is destroyed, about half of the remaining debris would reach Earth within one day of the strike, and certainly, within two weeks, all of the remaining bits and pieces should have completed their Earthfall. Much ado about nothing? Probably... this is certainly a good PR move, but as Michael Krepon of the Henry L. Stimson Center said, there never been a single human being who has been harmed by man-made objects falling from space during space age history. Recall Skylab's tumble to Earth? No injuries...

Support Abounds for DBS Anti-Tax Bill

There was a lot of support for House legislation that could overturn state taxes on satellite TV during a Capitol Hill hearing Thursday.

The House Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law scrutinized the "State Video Tax Fairness Act" that aims to overturn state taxes placed on DBS services. Six states - Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina and Utah - all tax satellite TV service.

In testimony before the panel, Mike Palkovic, executive vice president of operations for DIRECTV, said cable has been behind the state tax measures.

He said cable "has persuaded multiple states to pass taxing schemes that tilt the playing field in its favor. And it is bent on preserving the unfair advantage and proliferating these discriminatory taxing schemes nationwide."

And while cable faces franchise fees at the local level, "franchise fees are not taxes," Palkovic said. "They are payments cable companies negotiate to pay local governments in return for the right to dig up streets to lay cables and hang wires from utility poles."

Kristina Rasmussen of the National Taxpayers Union called the state taxes discriminatory. "Consumers shouldn't have to pay higher taxes just because they use satellite instead of cable, or vice versa," Rasmussen told the panel.

One state-backed organization voiced opposition to the bill. David Quam of the National Governors Association said decisions about state and local taxes should be made by state and local officials, and not the federal government.

"The ability of states to structure their revenue systems is a core element of sovereignty that must be respected," Quam said in his testimony.

John Conyers, the Michigan Democrat and chair of the House Judiciary Committee, is a sponsor of the bill along with Reps. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), Chris Cannon (R-Utah) and Trent Franks (R-Ariz.).

February 10th 2008 --

Columbus Finally Gets To Make Journey Aboard Atlantis

The European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory, developed with Thales Alenia Space as the main contributor, has been successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the International Space Station (ISS).

The shuttle Atlantis lifted off at 20:45 CET and entered orbit perfectly and will dock to the ISS after a 2-day journey. The multi-purpose pressurized module Columbus, with its planned operational lifetime of ten years, is Europe's first laboratory for long-term research in micro-gravity environment. Columbus will be permanently docked to the Node 2 (Harmony). Thales Alenia Space was in charge of the micrometeoritic protection system (MDPS: Meteorite and Debris Protection System), the active and passive Thermal Control System (TCS), the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), the harness and all related Ground Support Equipments (GSE). It also contributed to some of the main system functionality, including the subsystem and payload control, the temperature control, the cabin atmosphere control, and the fire surveillance system.

NASA reports the STS-122 crew is extremely busy this first day in orbit. The heat shield for the Atlantis is being inspected through the use of the robotic arm to view the underside, nose cap and leading wing edges of the spacecraft. Other preparations are being made for the arrival at ISS tomorrow including an extension of the shuttle's docking ring and tools check-out for the rendezvous and linkup with the station. In addition to the Columbus lab delivery, ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts will be aboard to replace Flight Engineer Daniel Tani for a stay aboard ISS.
 

February 1st 2008 --

Cupid Special Free Offer

Cupid comes early to Harps Products customers bringing with him a sweet offer. The first 10 people that purchase one of our Jtag Repair Services will get a free 4x1 Chieta DiSEqC Switch. The Chieta is the fastest DiSEqC switch on the market and is very durable for outside usage. Click on Cupid on the left to get your code for a free 4x1 Chieta DiSEqC Switch when you purchase one of our Jtag Services. If you are using a web based email be sure to use 'Cupid Special' for the email title. You will receive a code via email that you will include in your Receiver Information when paying with PayPal or in your Service Request email if paying by USPS Money Order (only US customers can pay with money order).

Don't wait, click on Cupid above, everyone needs a spare DiSEqC switch to insure no down time due to a faulty one. Always remember to unplug your receiver before disconnecting coax going to your dish and to also secure DiSEqC switches so any unused terminals are pointing down to avoid damage from rain.

The Cupid Special Free Offer is limited to the first 10 people who respond to this free offer. Additionally we must receive payment within 5 days from the time the Cupid Special code is issued, if payment is not received within 5 days the Cupid Special Free Offer will go to the next in line. The only exception to this 5 day rule will apply if the recipient of one of the Cupid Special Free Offer code provides us with proof of payment sent and the delay is a result of shipping, the recipient will have 24 hours to provide such proof after being notified payment has not been received.

Harp