Do I have this right?
1. Shaw and Telesat moved 46 channels from F2 to G1 allowing F2 more bandwidth for the remaining F2 channels. They also changed modulation on F2 to increase signal strength and for more error tolerance. These changes allow the operator to lessen the rate of satellite position adjustments which in turn conserves the satellite's dwindling propellant.
2. If the above is basically true, then they have bought more time, until "Spring", for the propellant to last. Once that fuel is gone then the satellite will lose its “fixed” position, go into inclined orbit, and become useless for direct to home television.
I don't see any reason for the signal to decrease between now and the end of the propellant, even for users in Mexico or northern Canada. I might be missing something.
Yes, you have it mostly correct. Moving the channels allowed for the Satellite to save power. The modulation change supposedly allow the bird to drift more before a need of correction, as the signal strength from each transponder using DVB-S QPSK is approximately 10% higher than with the old scheme.
Shaw Broadcast said October 13th:
"Shaw Broadcast Services (SBS) continues to work with Telesat and technology partner CommScope to
review various options to maintain services affected by Anik F2’s technical issues. The plan below
relocates several Anik F2 signals to Anik G1, which will allow us – if final testing is successful - to change
the modulation scheme of the services remaining on Anik F2. Telesat’s modelling indicates that changing
the modulation scheme to DVB-S QPSK, 2/3 FEC on Anik F2 would, barring any degradation of Anik F2
beyond that currently anticipated by Telesat, increase the period of survivability of satellite receive
equipment depending upon where in Canada a receive site is located and the antenna size being used for
satellite reception."
I'd expect strong signals until end of spring 2023 is certainly in the realm of probabilities.
I hope this is helpful.