ATV questions
 

I am interested in getting involved with ATV, and have been having
some trouble finding good info on the equipment needed.

from what I can understand, there needs to be 4 (or 5?) things between
the video signal source (i.e. camera) and the receiving TV: the
downconverter, (the pre-amp?), the transmitter, the receiver, and
another downconverter... correct?

Also, from what I can tell, you're only supposed to transmit on
specific bands. Is it possible to select a band where there might be
less ATV traffic? What all would be involved in that?

Thanks in advance for any info!
Dave

Alot of folks are using the MMSSTV computer program nowadays and
transmitting via 2-meter repeaters or simplex. Search either Google or Yahoo
for MMSSTV


"David Harper" wrote in message
om...
I am interested in getting involved with ATV, and have been having
some trouble finding good info on the equipment needed.

from what I can understand, there needs to be 4 (or 5?) things between
the video signal source (i.e. camera) and the receiving TV: the
downconverter, (the pre-amp?), the transmitter, the receiver, and
another downconverter... correct?

Also, from what I can tell, you're only supposed to transmit on
specific bands. Is it possible to select a band where there might be
less ATV traffic? What all would be involved in that?

Thanks in advance for any info!
Dave

Alot of folks are using the MMSSTV computer program nowadays and
transmitting via 2-meter repeaters or simplex. Search either Google or Yahoo
for MMSSTV


"David Harper" wrote in message
om...
I am interested in getting involved with ATV, and have been having
some trouble finding good info on the equipment needed.

from what I can understand, there needs to be 4 (or 5?) things between
the video signal source (i.e. camera) and the receiving TV: the
downconverter, (the pre-amp?), the transmitter, the receiver, and
another downconverter... correct?

Also, from what I can tell, you're only supposed to transmit on
specific bands. Is it possible to select a band where there might be
less ATV traffic? What all would be involved in that?

Thanks in advance for any info!
Dave

"David Harper" wrote in message
om...
I am interested in getting involved with ATV, and have been having
some trouble finding good info on the equipment needed.

from what I can understand, there needs to be 4 (or 5?) things between
the video signal source (i.e. camera) and the receiving TV: the
downconverter, (the pre-amp?), the transmitter, the receiver, and
another downconverter... correct?

I don't remember the names of the companies, but I have seen at least two
companies advertising ready to go ATV systems in QST I believe. Or just do
a Google search for ATV, or ham television, etc.


Also, from what I can tell, you're only supposed to transmit on
specific bands. Is it possible to select a band where there might be
less ATV traffic? What all would be involved in that?

Most Amateur ATV systems operate on either the 430 band or the 1.2 ghz.
Some ever higher I am sure. You see a TV signal is very wide and requires a
large bandwidth. So it can only be used in the higher UHF ranges. The
higher in frequency you go, the less activity. Go get a 10GHZ gunplexer
for the RF end of things. That is basically line of site stuff there.

The ham equipment today consists of stand alone convertors and transmitters.
So you really just need that box and a TV set to plug into. Antenna of
course and a ham license of Technician or higher.

Hope this helps. If you would let us know more of what your needs are
perhaps a more specific approach could be discussed.

Dan/W4NTI




Thanks in advance for any info!
Dave

"David Harper" wrote in message
om...
I am interested in getting involved with ATV, and have been having
some trouble finding good info on the equipment needed.

from what I can understand, there needs to be 4 (or 5?) things between
the video signal source (i.e. camera) and the receiving TV: the
downconverter, (the pre-amp?), the transmitter, the receiver, and
another downconverter... correct?

I don't remember the names of the companies, but I have seen at least two
companies advertising ready to go ATV systems in QST I believe. Or just do
a Google search for ATV, or ham television, etc.


Also, from what I can tell, you're only supposed to transmit on
specific bands. Is it possible to select a band where there might be
less ATV traffic? What all would be involved in that?

Most Amateur ATV systems operate on either the 430 band or the 1.2 ghz.
Some ever higher I am sure. You see a TV signal is very wide and requires a
large bandwidth. So it can only be used in the higher UHF ranges. The
higher in frequency you go, the less activity. Go get a 10GHZ gunplexer
for the RF end of things. That is basically line of site stuff there.

The ham equipment today consists of stand alone convertors and transmitters.
So you really just need that box and a TV set to plug into. Antenna of
course and a ham license of Technician or higher.

Hope this helps. If you would let us know more of what your needs are
perhaps a more specific approach could be discussed.

Dan/W4NTI




Thanks in advance for any info!
Dave

Hey Dan, haven't heard you swearing and raising hell on 20 lately. Did
Riley get after you again?


On Wed, 05 May 2004 18:02:20 GMT, "Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@get rid of this
mindspring.com wrote:


"David Harper" wrote in message
. com...
I am interested in getting involved with ATV, and have been having
some trouble finding good info on the equipment needed.

from what I can understand, there needs to be 4 (or 5?) things between
the video signal source (i.e. camera) and the receiving TV: the
downconverter, (the pre-amp?), the transmitter, the receiver, and
another downconverter... correct?

I don't remember the names of the companies, but I have seen at least two
companies advertising ready to go ATV systems in QST I believe. Or just do
a Google search for ATV, or ham television, etc.


Also, from what I can tell, you're only supposed to transmit on
specific bands. Is it possible to select a band where there might be
less ATV traffic? What all would be involved in that?

Most Amateur ATV systems operate on either the 430 band or the 1.2 ghz.
Some ever higher I am sure. You see a TV signal is very wide and requires a
large bandwidth. So it can only be used in the higher UHF ranges. The
higher in frequency you go, the less activity. Go get a 10GHZ gunplexer
for the RF end of things. That is basically line of site stuff there.

The ham equipment today consists of stand alone convertors and transmitters.
So you really just need that box and a TV set to plug into. Antenna of
course and a ham license of Technician or higher.

Hope this helps. If you would let us know more of what your needs are
perhaps a more specific approach could be discussed.

Dan/W4NTI




Thanks in advance for any info!
Dave

Hey Dan, haven't heard you swearing and raising hell on 20 lately. Did
Riley get after you again?


On Wed, 05 May 2004 18:02:20 GMT, "Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@get rid of this
mindspring.com wrote:


"David Harper" wrote in message
. com...
I am interested in getting involved with ATV, and have been having
some trouble finding good info on the equipment needed.

from what I can understand, there needs to be 4 (or 5?) things between
the video signal source (i.e. camera) and the receiving TV: the
downconverter, (the pre-amp?), the transmitter, the receiver, and
another downconverter... correct?

I don't remember the names of the companies, but I have seen at least two
companies advertising ready to go ATV systems in QST I believe. Or just do
a Google search for ATV, or ham television, etc.


Also, from what I can tell, you're only supposed to transmit on
specific bands. Is it possible to select a band where there might be
less ATV traffic? What all would be involved in that?

Most Amateur ATV systems operate on either the 430 band or the 1.2 ghz.
Some ever higher I am sure. You see a TV signal is very wide and requires a
large bandwidth. So it can only be used in the higher UHF ranges. The
higher in frequency you go, the less activity. Go get a 10GHZ gunplexer
for the RF end of things. That is basically line of site stuff there.

The ham equipment today consists of stand alone convertors and transmitters.
So you really just need that box and a TV set to plug into. Antenna of
course and a ham license of Technician or higher.

Hope this helps. If you would let us know more of what your needs are
perhaps a more specific approach could be discussed.

Dan/W4NTI




Thanks in advance for any info!
Dave

(David Harper) wrote in message . com...
I am interested in getting involved with ATV, and have been having
some trouble finding good info on the equipment needed.

from what I can understand, there needs to be 4 (or 5?) things between
the video signal source (i.e. camera) and the receiving TV: the
downconverter, (the pre-amp?), the transmitter, the receiver, and
another downconverter... correct?

Depends how complex a system you want, the bands used, etc. ATV on 420
mhz can be quite simple. I have a small homebrew transmitter and
receiver a friend of mine built, that can work 420. Do you have a
cable ready TV? You already have a 420 ATV receiver, IF you use a good
gain type antenna. Many ATV repeaters are on cable ch: 57, 58,
etc...You use a regular TV antenna, but set the TV itself to "cable".
I have a 25 element rat shack corner reflector yagi I use for that.
"standard UHF TV antenna". 1.2 ghz and up starts getting to be a
little more involved, but usually better picture quality in general.

Also, from what I can tell, you're only supposed to transmit on
specific bands. Is it possible to select a band where there might be
less ATV traffic?

Sure. http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Ama...=20&fl=0&x=wrt

Try that link for ATV info...MK

(David Harper) wrote in message . com...
I am interested in getting involved with ATV, and have been having
some trouble finding good info on the equipment needed.

from what I can understand, there needs to be 4 (or 5?) things between
the video signal source (i.e. camera) and the receiving TV: the
downconverter, (the pre-amp?), the transmitter, the receiver, and
another downconverter... correct?

Depends how complex a system you want, the bands used, etc. ATV on 420
mhz can be quite simple. I have a small homebrew transmitter and
receiver a friend of mine built, that can work 420. Do you have a
cable ready TV? You already have a 420 ATV receiver, IF you use a good
gain type antenna. Many ATV repeaters are on cable ch: 57, 58,
etc...You use a regular TV antenna, but set the TV itself to "cable".
I have a 25 element rat shack corner reflector yagi I use for that.
"standard UHF TV antenna". 1.2 ghz and up starts getting to be a
little more involved, but usually better picture quality in general.

Also, from what I can tell, you're only supposed to transmit on
specific bands. Is it possible to select a band where there might be
less ATV traffic?

Sure. http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Ama...=20&fl=0&x=wrt

Try that link for ATV info...MK

David Harper wrote:
(snip)
: Also, from what I can tell, you're only supposed to transmit on
: specific bands. Is it possible to select a band where there might be
: less ATV traffic? What all would be involved in that?

"less traffic" than what? Also .. who do you plan on transmitting to??
There has to be *some* traffic on the channel or you'll be talking/looking
at yourself;-)

Find out what ATV activity is happening in your area. Find out what bands
/ freqs / modes they use and get the same equipment and go from there.

Richard in Boston, MA, USA
N1JDU