An Update on Diospi Suyana Transmission Activities

28 January 2017

A week after arriving in Curahuasi I travelled to snowy Avon, Colorado USA (2 hours’ drive out of Denver) from 10 to 14 December to visit a key US satellite equipment supplier Satcom Resources with Dr Klaus John.  The aim was to acquire a cost competitive satellite system proposal comprising 1 x uplink and 4 x downlink systems. 

Klaus outside of Satcom Resources, Avon Colorado (2 hours’ drive out of Denver).

During this time away, Sandi and the rest of the family moved into the Diospi Suyana hospital accommodation so they can get familiar with the ministry and people.  Also because the bridge accessing our house is not safe to cross without experience and confidence.  It is one of the essential upgrades needed here.

Soon after returning from the US we placed orders for the satellite system, but from the Lima based supplier Intelect (Integraciones Electronicas S.A.C.) on 17 December 2016 having achieved a USD $40k discount from our US Satcom Resources proposal.  The following a summary of our purchase;

·         5 x General Dynamics 2.4m C-Band transmit/receive capable dishes (NB all having transmit capability will allow future monitoring of each remote site by telemetry, thus saving much travel and provide needed real time security surveillance)

·         Fully redundant active equipment for the uplink hub i.e. block up-converters (iBUCs), encoders, modulators and low noise blocks (LNBs)

·         Non redundant downlink equipment but with on the shelf spares to enable rapid manual service restoration (as such specialised equipment lead times are lengthy in Peru)

We placed orders again with Lima based supplier Intelect (Integraciones Electronicas S.A.C.) on 5 January 2017 for the studio to transmitter site link (STL) to deliver radio and television programme to the Curahuasi site.  We went to two other suppliers but Intelect offered the best price and support.  This solution is based on my TCP/IP design which will future proof the STL to enable it to deliver analogue television now and for minimum cost, if any, deliver digital television when it is required in 2018 or 2019 (timing depending upon the Peru regulator MTC).  A full set of spare units were included in our purchase to ensure service availability.  The following is a summary of our purchase which includes a full set of spare units;

·         ClearOne audio/video to TCP/IP encoders and decoders for television

·         Tieline radio to TCP/IP encoders/decoders for radio

·         Ubiquity Bullet M2 ti TCP/IP radios

·         Yagi antennas, cables with mounting brackets, TCP/IP switches and patch cords

On Saturday 7 January I travelled with Dr Klaus John to Andahuaylas which is about 5 hours’ drive over mountains and through valleys with countless hairpin bends and steep ravines, with driving rain at times thrown in just for fun.  This was to inspect the next Diospi Suyana transmission site and attend a community meeting run by the local mayor for people objecting to the proposed Diospi Suyana FM radio transmission site with health concerns.  We prayed and then Klaus presented the faith story of Diospi Suyana and I contributed my knowledge of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and international standards (WHO ICNIRP) to allay fears of any detrimental health effects.  The result was extremely positive with all except one of the 65 attendees being in favour of the transmission proceeding.  We arrived home after midnight absolutely exhausted but happy with the result achieved.

I officially commenced work in my new Diospi Suyana office on Monday 9 January 2017.

Here is a view from my window with a very fitting aspect of the first Diospi Suyana mast!  Also on this day including the 5 resident Diospi Suyana Alpacas.

Since then I have been engaged with Diospi Suyana procedures and processes orientation, site installation, planning work including AutoCAD drawings for equipment layouts and site inspections of the Curahuasi tower construction.

We saw the completion of the new Curahuasi 30 meter free standing 4 sided tower this week on Tuesday 24 January, by the Lima based supplier ICESE SAC.  This tower is some 52 metres higher than the original hospital compound guyed mast (seen from my office) and which is shaded to the majority of the Curahuasi township by a significant hill.  Albeit the lightning earthing system design is sub-standard and needs further work per my specification to make it effective.  The Diospi Suyana civil team are continuing working on completing the 3m compound wall and shelter out of concrete filled block.  After it is secure, we will install the antenna systems and transmitter and link equipment.

I am now in discussion with Klaus about approaching the main satellite operators of the US to see if Klaus and I can meet with their president and present the Diospi Suyana story.  The intention is achieving a better satellite access cost.  That said we know that our current proposed operator, Argentinian based ARSAT, are giving Diospi Suyana the market rate for a single radio channel bandwidth via their ARSAT-2 satellite.

Looking Ahead…

The Diospi Suyana TV service will commence from the newly relocated Curahuasi transmission site we hope by the end of February 2017.

A 36 meter free standing 4 sided tower for Andahuaylas has been acquired and is to be installed in March 2017 along with a new transmission building and electrical services connection, but subject to community consent which is an ongoing issue with health concerns (unsubstantiated).

Further Diospi Suyana Media Centre staff are to be employed in 2017 making the total ten people.  This includes me as the only expatriate volunteer broadcast engineer (which I am repeatedly assured is a most timely arrival and a needed and valued skillset for Diospi Suyana).

A third FM transmission site, Totoray is planned to service the city of Abancay comprising a population of about 80,000.  The transmission lot at 4,000 metres above sea level has been acquired, but licensing approval is subject to Perú MTC negotiations and my coverage / antenna design work.  Our hope is that this site can proceed before the end of 2017.

Other sites are also planned to cover the main patient catchment areas of Diospi Suyana hospital.  Here is a map showing the approximate locations which will have a service area of approximately 1.3 million people with 9 transmission sites (NB red dots are current outlined in this report and the white are planned/proposed subject to licensing);

I have included a brief montage of site progress photos and some engineering drawings examples of what I have been working on here.

The Curahuasi tower foundations 2.5m deep dug through very hard rocky ground all by hand.

The concrete was also all done by hand and mixed on site by the Diospi Suyana civil team.

The Curahuasi 30m tower construction commenced 19/01/2017 with me in foreground on left and Diospi Suyana Civil Engineer Udo Klemenz on right.

Curahuasi 30m tower construction approximately midway 20/01/2107.

Curahuasi tower completed on 23/01/2017.

Dr Klaus John standing on the Diospi Suyana Andahuylas site 7/01/2017.

Overlooking the city of Andahuylas from the hill precipice where the Diospi Suyana site is well located for broadcasting services.

Thank you for your support toward this important ministry work for Peru.

Bendiciones, Chris

Our Relocation from Arequipa to Curahuasi

06 December 2016

Most of our things were picked up by truck on Friday 25 November and taken to our casa la hacienda in Curahuasi.  We followed to arrive over a week later.

On Tuesday 29 November we took delivery (later than the dealer had committed) of our new family vehicle.  It’s a Foton K1 16 seat minibus which is a Chinese replica of the Toyota Hiace Commuter minibus like we had in Australia and sold to our Lifesource Church upon leaving for Peru.  We used all those funds to buy the Foton.   We chose this option due to the excessively high cost of both new and second had Japanese minibuses in Peru.

For those that appreciate the mechanical details, it has a UK made Cummins 2.8 litre industrial diesel motor which should ensure the vehicle is essentially reliable (the Chinese cars don’t have the best reputation).  Having a diesel motor will ensure it works well at high altitude unlike petrol which loses power with low oxygen (some of the roads we travel will be over 4 km above sea level).

Chris with our new Chinese Foton K1 minibus

We left Arequipa the following day after a house clean up and final packing and saying good bye to our landlord family who lived on the floor beneath us and so we got to know well.  They just could not get enough of our baby Stacey (it’s a Peruvian cultural thing too).  And also doing a last dinner with some very special ABC Español language school teachers and worship music mentor for Sam – Litos and Pao.

Dinner with Litos and Pao – this kids loved Litos’ smartphone "face morphing" app

Saying farewell to our Arequipa landlord family

Furthermore it took 2 hours just to drive out of Arequipa due to major roadworks and traffic jams.  The authorities diverted the 4 lane highway traffic through single lane rural backstreets in peak hour – crazy!  It took us a total of 14 hours to get to Yucay – about 70 km the other side of city of Cusco (the main base for tourists accessing Machu Picchu). 

Traffic gridlock in Arequipa taking us 2 hours to leave town

We learnt the hard way that the longer distance main highway route is a much quicker & better route than the physically shortest way our GPS took us.  This ended up being on winding dirt roads over 4.8km mountain ranges! L. 

Our new Foton performed flawlessly as we travelled over the mountains up as high as 4.8km above sea level, we encountered all conditions; bitumen, gravel and dirt roads, dry weather and raining, still and windy, hot and cold.  Although an exhausting trip, we were carried along by prayer and amazement of the beauty and diversity of the Peru countryside.  The kids did amazing for such a long tiring journey.  

Here is a brief photo montage of some of the scenes we passed by;

A view of the outskirts of Arequipa

A typical mining operation in Peru – a key source of government revenue

One of the many rivers we passed over with amazing rock formations

Our lunch stop at a remote rural sheep and lama herding outpost

A typical rural Peruvian village we passed through

A recent bus incident – we are surprised we did not see more of this given the way the Peru tour buses drive at high speed and overtaking on blind corners.  It’s quite insane on the roads here!

Our front seat photographer!

A farmer’s house with coral in a rocky region somewhat off the main highway

Passing Laguna Pomacanchi in the Cusco region 3.66km above sea level

Why did we go to Yucay and not directly to Curahuasi?  As the timing had it, Diospi Suyana met on Friday to Sunday for their annual retreat.  So it made sense to attend this on the way with a couple of days respite beforehand after a demanding time in Arequipa at language school.  What a great way to meet all the missionaries in a non-work setting.  It was a wonderful time in a beautiful place before we hit the ground running in Curahuasi with an intensive schedule for the media centre and settling into a new place with a lot to do to make it habitable (e.g. the casa la hacienda is without an inside kitchen or hot water on tap).

Yucay in the Secret Valley of the Incas – an amazing oasis for the family to recover before Curahuasi

We were treated by Santa “Klaus” whilst at the Yucay retreat – the faces of all the missionary kids said it all as Dr Klaus John played the part so well. There were activities in the day for the whole family and an excellent husband and wife speaker from Columbia (we were told, as it was all in Spanish and we did not understand as much as we would have liked! J).  They shared a powerful testimony on their relationship being restored by the Holy Spirit.

 

Santa “Klaus” at the Yucay Diospi Suyana missionaries retreat

We finally arrived at Curahuasi on Sunday evening 4 December, to be greeted by two of our waiting landlords to introduce us to our new abode.

  

Our family with landlords Melvin and Herly (centre and back left) plus the local house helper Rosita, her son Luis (front left in blue jumpers) plus the local farmer’s wife Jesusa (front right)

Thank you for your travel prayers and help getting us to this stage.

Bendiciones, Chris & Sandi

Adiós to our Language School in Arequipa

18 November 2016

Chris, Jake, Sam and Isaac were fare-welled at language school today.  For the past 5 months they have been attending ABC Español Language School here in Arequipa learning Spanish.  They did so well! (biased! J)  To mark the occasion they had to present a speech in Spanish in front of the school.  Sam even wrote a song in Spanish and sung it playing his guitar.  Here are YouTube links to some video we took including Chris' “adiós” PowerPoint presentation…

Click this text for Chris' farewell PowerPoint presentation

Click this text for Jake's farewell speech

Click this text for Isaac's farewell speech

Click this text for Sam's farewell song to guitar

It has been a very special time here in Arequipa.  Yes it has been a huge cultural adjustment and there have been many challenging moments, but we can really say that God has placed the right people in our path at the right time to see us through.

Chris has juggled his time between language school and working with the Diospi Suyana media centre team and managing our family’s needs of a house in Curahuasi and the purchase of a car.   During the 5 months he has had to make 2 trips to Curahuasi for Diospi Suyana and 3 trips to Lima.  He has become more street-wise with Lima security issues! J But they are stories for another time!

As a family we have also built immunity to a whole new world of germs, but are travelling well now. The kids and I have found places to shop and play. Between us all we have explored the surrounds of Arequipa on horseback, on mountain bike, on foot hiking up Mount Misti, and in tour buses.  We have competed in a road cycling race, volunteered at a furniture shop (to help practice Spanish), we have all helped out at an orphanage, and attended a youth group. It has been really helpful to meet so many people and understand the culture a little.

ABC language school also runs a church called Christianity in Action, which we have attended whilst here.  Jake and Sam have played in the worship band with local church members and language school students.  It is relationships that make a journey special and we have been so blessed by the people we have met.  Maybe we will return and touch up our Spanish one day! (Like many missionaries seem to do).  If you need to learn Spanish we can recommend ABC Español, Arequipa, Peru. J

Here below are a few snaps taken on the day...

Sam playing his song in Spanish with his teacher and worship pastor Pao on right (and Solomon onlooking with interest! J)

Our family portrait taken after the farewell

Chris, Jake, Sam with Isaac from one of our classrooms above

Sandi

To Lima for Towers and Satellite Equipment

7 & 8 November 2016

I travelled to Lima on Monday and Tuesday this week with Dr Klaus John and Doris Manco – manager of Diospi Suyana Centro de Medios (Media Centre).  This trip was to acquire towers and satellite equipment for the Diospi Suyana network. 

During my time in Arequipa I have spent many hours / late nights in addition to my language learning, planning the Diospi Suyana broadcast system.  This includes broadcast transmitter facilities, satellite system topology drawings (for high availability), undertaking broadcast FM and TV coverage prediction software (ATDI) models, searching for the optimal price and performance transmission / satellite equipment that is available in Peru (it’s quite a different market to that found in Australia).

My satellite uplink topology for the Diospi Suyana network

We visited two tower manufacturers, discussed our specific broadcast requirements and reviewed performance predicted by their software models.  I was surprised they were both using MS Tower 6 – an internationally recognised product developed in Sydney that I am very familiar with. 

MS Tower 6 software deflection analysis

Towers are much cheaper here in Peru but the materials (hot dipped galvanised steel) is of a much lower standard.  Labour to erect the towers are also cheaper, and safety standards are nearly non-existent.

 

One of our two Lima tower manufacturers’ workshop

Klaus presented the Diospi Suyana story to one of the major satellite earth station equipment suppliers in Peru.  They have offered to run a complimentary live satellite test on our design with the Argentina satellite operator ARSAT who have been extremely cooperative and favourable toward Diospi Suyana.  We are hopeful the local equipment supplier will also provide a suitably discounted proposal for Diospi Suyana so we can proceed with a local provider (preferred).  The alternative is we will have to travel to the US to purchase equipment directly at the right price.

Right now Diospi Suyana is broadcasting FM in Curahuasi from a temporary installation at the hospital.  One of the new free standing towers (30m) is destined for a ridge peak in the middle of the town to enable the complete township and surrounds’ coverage of both FM and TV.  This new site will include a new building that I am planning with an internal generator to enable transmission continuity during the frequent power outages of Curahuasi during the summer months.  As this site is only 500 metres from the hospital, we may opt for a TCP/IP microwave link that I have designed to deliver program from the Media Centre as well as monitor the transmitters and generator.

The second fee standing tower (36m) is destined for the city of Andahuaylas which has a population of about 80,000 and some 170,000 in the catchment of this transmission.  Diospi Suyana has an FM licence to transmit there now and the land has been purchased (see Diospi Suyana article http://www.diospi-suyana.de/andahuaylas-antennenstandort-ist-gekauft/ and have Google translate it to English). 

So as soon as we can get the infrastructure to site, installed and commissioned, the sooner we can be on air.  The commissioning is made possible using the Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) test equipment we brought out from Australia with FM options generously donated by the Australian division of R&S. Thanks too for Pack and Send Castle Hill by helping us ship this gear to Peru and getting it through customs here (not trivial).

For this remote site of Andahuaylas, the only practical option is to use satellite to deliver the program, hence the urgency in acquiring and installing this solution also.

Whilst in Lima we also visited a major Christian broadcaster based in Lima, Movimiento Misionero Mundial (MMM).  They employ 150 people in Lima impressively after being in operation for just 7 years.  They produce quality programming including Bethel TV and Bethel radio.  We had a terrific time touring their facility and discussing all manner of operational and technical subjects with staff.  They seemed just as impressed with our fledging Diospi Suyana media ministry as we were with what they were doing.  We also discussed the sharing of programming in the future.

Movimiento Misionero Mundial (MMM) Broadcaster and Church in Lima

Diospi Suyana is unique from MMM in so far as it provides public health information, educational alongside the Christian message.  As James 2:14~17 reminds us:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

This is an imperative in Peru where education is marginal at best and so many people are desperately poor.  And people are in great need to hear the Word of God which will set them free (John 8:36).

The Diospi Suyana media centre has also progressed with its production of quality radio and TV content.  The staff numbers continue to grow and we should have 10 people in the centre by Christmas, including me as the one expat missionary.  I am often encouraged by the Diospi Suyana team who appreciate the skill and experience I have brought to help with the transmission at the right time.  Klaus is already talking about having to appreciably expand the media centre in the need for more production and office space.

We are just 2 weeks off leaving Arequipa for Curahuasi.  These past 5 months have on one hand seemingly gone so quickly but at the same time been very challenging for my language learning.  I need more practice to converse proficiently, applying the theory I have learnt at ABC Español language school in Arequipa.  I believe I will get this needed practice in Curahuasi.

I want to again thank all our amazing generous supporters (prayer and financial) who are making all this work possible.

Bendiciones,

Chris

All Saints’ Day

1 & 2 November 2016

It was “All Saints’ Day” in many Catholic countries yesterday.  In Peru, particularly in Andean towns, the day has its own look because Catholic beliefs and celebrations are intertwined with ancient Andean and Inca traditions.  For example the worship of the dead was an integral part of Inca culture with the mummies of the dead Incas being present at all important rituals.  Part of that tradition, combined with Catholics elements, still lives on today.  We have tried to understand it and share it here a little.

There are two days of celebrations.  Yesterday was a holiday and was called the “Day of the Living”. Families can meet together to share a meal and celebrate “the living”.

Today is called the “Day of the Dead”.  Peruvians typically attend mass then families can meet together in cemeteries to connect with dead loved ones.  They bring them gifts, food, drink and converse with them while the family drinks, eats, and converses too.  They can hire musicians to play the favourite music of the dead and hire people to pray (often in Quechuan) for the dead ones’ peace for the year ahead.  At night, the relatives can hold a candlelight vigil in the cemetery until dawn on 2 November.

Jake and Sam went with the language school to the Arequipa cemetery to experience it today.

Jake said "the cemetery was very busy and colourful with many stalls selling candles, flowers, food and drinks.  There were bands playing around the graves and along with families eating, talking and dancing.  People seemed relaxed."

Sam said "At language school we were given “t'anta wawas” which is Quechuan for bread babies. These are sweet breads made in an oval shape to portray a baby wrapped up with a baby's face decoration on top at one end.  We saw a lot of them as food laid out for the dead.  They looked like Egyptian mummies.  They taste very sweet and I didn't like them and my teacher said she didn't like them either.  The whole day was a very new experience for me and from a Christian perspective was a little crazy and not of God.  However it was good to experience the mix of Catholic and ancient traditions that these people practice."

In the Andes we will experience more of these traditions.  We pray that God will show us how to reach the Quechua people we meet with the alive, risen love and truth of Jesus.

Sandi, Jake and Sam

All Saints’ Day in Arequipa Cemetery (from a distance)

Some typical t'anta wawas on the baking tray

Inauguration of the Diospi Suyana Media Centre

1 September 2016

For my second time now I returned to Curahuasi, this time with Jake (for his first visit) to attend the Diospi Suyana Media Centre inauguration ceremony held on Wednesday 31 August.  Our bus trip was just as unnerving as previous, given this time we sat in the front seats on the top level and we had an uninhibited view of our journey.  We seemed to spend more time on the wrong side of the road than the right side, and I lost count of the overtaking we did on blind corners playing Russian-Roulette with oncoming prime movers, buses and other vehicles of all sorts coming at equally crazy speed and randomly on either side of the road! ☹

The inauguration on the Wednesday was a typical perfect Curahuasi day of blue sky and sunshine, added to that 400 staff and guests seated outside the Media Centre including special invitees Pilar Nores (twice former First Lady of Peru) and Sebastian Zilieri (director of the Peru weekly Caretas).  As all present will testify, it was a very special moment in place and time. 

From first light it was hands on deck with preparations including mounting large monitors on the walls of the studio, running cables, fitting doors and the foyer sign (see photo) and even a team of builders fitting the Media Centre kitchen some 2 hours before commencement – glue and paint may have been still wet but all completed to perfecting standards and just in time.

The ceremony then commenced at 4:30pm with speeches and musical performances.  Almost all the speakers connected God’s blessing with the latest project of Diospi Suyana.  

Klaus notes it is likely that the Diospi Media Centre which is officially opened today, will soon be touching more people intellectually and spiritually, than the Diospi Suyana hospital has done in the last nine years.

The new centre is just 350m² and behind it a 40m mast with FM and television antennas.  Klaus continues;

Some may think that this is a modest beginning.  But in a few months we will reach 170,000 people in the province of Andahuaylas with a new FM transmission.  At present, our applications for AM frequencies in the states of Cusco and Apurimac are in progress.  Furthermore we aim to cover even the southern half of Peru with a shortwave frequency.

I recently negotiated in Buenos Aires with the Argentine company ARSAT for satellite access.  With God's help, we want our program via ARSAT-2 to be reaching the remotest regions of the country.

Anyone traveling through Peru will note there are many broadcast antennas on the mountain tops. Diospi Suyana is a voice among many.  First, a very small voice, but one which we hope will be heard. Quality, respect for the opinions of others, honesty and love are to be the hallmark of our programs.

The Media Centre is the result of hard work on the part of the construction workers, technicians and specialists who have invested their time and experience.  

Diospi Suyana wants to serve God and our neighbours.  We do not build monuments, and are not on an ego trip.  All good things come from God.  For us staff, it is a privilege to be tools in the hands of the Most High.

Then it was my turn in a cast of Peruvians, Europeans (mostly German), Americans and a scattering of other nationalities – I gave my first public short speech in Spanish.  Just a few stumbles but I am told well received as it was sincere and there was an understanding that I have only had 3 months of Español language schooling.  I was so proud on this day to represent Australia and all our faithful supporters worldwide.

Pilar Nores cut through the official red tape at 6pm.

Invited guests then attended the first talk show of Diospi Suyana in the television studio. Jesus Hurtado and Jose Saenz played a video with the highlights of Diospi Suyana to date culminating with the Media Centre.  Referring to this trailer, Doris Manco commenced an interview with studio guests’ Pilar Nores and Dr Klaus and Dr Marina John regarding the history of Diospi Suyana and their vision.

In the evening a banquet was held in the conference hall of the Media Centre.  We thanked God for this great opportunity to reach countless people via radio and television.

Finally an excerpt from Dr Klaus John’s speech: And we are not tired of repeating: Soli Deo Gloria: God alone be the glory.

For me it was exciting to see the formal commencement of the work that God has brought us here to do.  I want to thank all those who are partnering with us to see the vision unfold.

Following is a montage of photos that capture the day…

Chris

The ribbon at the Media Centre entrance ready for cutting.

Dr Martina John warmly welcomed all guests.

Doris Manco, head of the Diospi Media Centre, presents with warmth and passion for the future.

Jose Saenz was master of ceremonies.

Chris representing Australia! ☺

Jesus Hurtado looked back gratefully and confidently forward.

Carlos Aymituma explained why he left his television production company in Lima to work at Diospi Suyana.

 Traditional dressed children dance and charm the audience.

A festive atmosphere in the late afternoon.

Speech Klaus John: "Soli Deo Gloria" God alone be the glory.

Olaf Böttger, chairman of Diospi Suyana Germany, cited Isaiah 52: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that since proclaim peace, who brings good, who proclaim salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns".

Appearance of Pilar Nores (twice First Lady of Peru) and Godmother of Diospi Suyana.

Senior students of Diospi-Suyana School perform a traditional Peruvian dance.

Pilar Nores cuts through the red tape alongside Sebastian Zilieri, Doris Manco and the Mayor Danilo Valenza with an elated onlooking Klaus and Martina John.

With the tape cut, Pilar Nores enters the foyer. Behind her Sebastian Zilieri, chief of the oldest weekly magazine of Peru "Caretas" and to the left Klaus and Martina John.

View from the control room of the first Diospi Suyana TV talk show.

The first recording in TV studio of Diospi Suyana and in the foreground is me on camera 3.

The inaugural media team group photo with Pilar Nores.

The Media Centre foyer. The slogan on the sign reads: "With the best message for the world!"

At night overlooking centre after the inauguration.