VK3RTV digital amateur television update

The digitisation of the Melbourne amateur television repeater VK3RTV is continuing to attract international attention with the latest being an article in the Techtalk Bulletin of the Orange County Radio Club near Los
Angeles.

That article also reports that there is only one amateur digital TV repeater in the United States.

European and USA Ham TV enthusiasts have been keen to learn more about VK3RTV and that has kept the repeater custodian Peter Cossins VK3BFG busy responding to emails.

The concept of VK3RTV having both analogue and digital inputs is lauded by correspondents overseas as a way of migration to digital that does not exclude those with analogue transmitters.

Peter VK3BFG has submitted an illustrated technical article for publication in the WIA journal, Amateur Radio magazine.

The arrival of Digital Amateur Television has stimulated interest in the Greater Melbourne and Geelong areas. There are 17 known stations with transmit capability and many more with digital set-top boxes and the like enabling them to tune.

While transmissions on 446.5 MHz can occur at any time they are more likely after 7pm. Transmission material varies from such programs as the popular 'Amateur Logic' series to home movies.

Jack Braham VK3WWW particularly has a range of tapes depicting amateur activities. Another program source is NASA tapes which cover much of the technicalities associated with various space missions that are interesting
and educational.

Peter VK3BFG has just received a DVD from the US with a comprehensive presentation on the dangers associated with high RF fields.

The recent ARISS contact at the Sherbrook Community College went to air, and two video editions of the VK1WIA broadcast have also been shown on VK3RTV.

The VK3RTV digital project is funded by Amateur Radio Victoria, plus a $1,000 contribution from the WIA Club Grants Program and volunteer support.

Barry Robinson VK3PV

Wireless Institute of Australia