June, 2005   The Milliwatt   < Prev Page 8 Next >

ATV On the Cheap

Jeff Sippel K3OCO

It started out one Thursday night several years ago when I turned on my Handi-talkie to do some rag chewing. I heard a pleasant voice ask, "Are there any more check ins for the BRATS ATV net?" I keyed up and said, "K3OCO." " Ok, I've got you OCO what's your name?" "Jeff." " Ok, I'm Bob, welcome to the BRATS ATV Net. We always like to get new comers, thanks for checking in! We'll get to you in a little while, please standby Jeff; any more check ins? Nothing heard, so let's start at the top of the list, go ahead Heru."

Well, these guys were having a great time talking with one another, but I heard some strange language like I'd never heard before. "You're P-5 tonight, Gene, John was only P-4, this QTH." When I asked net control, Bob, what all this was about, he told me that they were transmitting video and the P signals were how good their signals looked to each other. These guys could actually see each other as they talked! I was impressed and told them so. Someone told me that I could see them too if I tuned a cable-ready-TV to channel 60, so I hurriedly did and man oh man, there they were, I could see them with just some rabbit ears for an antenna (I live in Hamilton). It was quite exciting.

Weeks came and went and everyone told me just how I could get a video signal on the air if I wanted to. This is Gene, W3BAB, Jeff, just get a TXA5 board and hook it up to a camera, they only cost around $140. Jeff, this is Heru, W3WVV, if you need a video camera, just use the family 8 mm. Jeff if you need an SWR Bridge to adjust that 440 Mc. antenna you're building I'll lend you mine, this is Bob, KC3FI. One man even sent an aluminum box to put my board in when it came and some connectors too! This is hamming at its finest, I think.

Well, with lots of help from those friendly guys I got on the air with a new mode and now I look forward to Thursday nights and transmitting some video myself. Last time, the grandchildren were here and enjoyed being on TV, and my son-in-law helped work the controls for me. I was in Heaven!

But, I kinda miss that first voice that welcomed me to the new net saying, "This is Bob, net control, W3WCQ." Come join us for a new mode and lots of fun. No video, no problem, check in anyway. Just watch us some Thursday night at 9 PM and let us know how we look to you. As Bob always used to say, we'd love to hear from a new check in. And for lots of good help with ATV and hamming in general, go to the Brats website www.Bratsatv.org. See ya! Jeff Sippel K3OCO

 

Ham radio regulatory changes reported overseas

Sweden's telecommunication regulatory agency PTS has taken steps to deregulate Amateur Radio and essentially no longer requires a government license. Effective last fall, the PTS turned over Amateur Radio operator "certification" to the Society of Swedish Radio Amateurs (SSA), that country's IARU member-society. Under the new regulatory regime, the SSA administers testing and issues operator certificates and call signs, which have SA prefixes and three-letter suffixes. There's no longer a Morse code requirement for HF access. The PTS still handles relevant international agreements, such as band allocations, in conjunction with the ITU. Sweden no longer dictates mode-specific subbands within amateur bands, but band plans are in place. Kenya's telecommunications regulator, the CCK, recently issued a new schedule of Amateur Radio frequencies, modes and power limits. Ted Alleyne, 5Z4NU, of the Amateur Radio Society of Kenya reports that radio amateurs there now may use 30 meters (10.100 to 10.150 MHz) and 160 meters (1.810 to 1.850 MHz). The National Telecommunications Commission of Thailand has granted permission through 2005 for all Thai radio amateurs to use 80 and 160 meters during contest periods. HS- and E2- stations may use 1.800- 1.825 MHz and 3.500-3.540 MHz, CW or SSB, during contest weekends. Starting May 1 in the Czech Republic, new regulations provide access to 7.100 to 7.200 MHz for Amateur Radio on a secondary basis. Power output is limitted to 250 W PEP. The Czech Republic also has begun issuing Novice class licenses with OK9-prefix call signs and three-letter suffixes. Operation is permitted on 160, 80, 15 and 10 meters on HF, and up to 2 meters on VHF, at a maximum power output of 10 W. The Malta Communication Authority has automatically extended HF privileges to "codeless" Class B licensees. Licensees in Malta still must pass a Morse code examination to operate CW on the HF bands, however. The Daily DX; RSGB; SM0JHF; ARSK; OK1MP/Czech Radio Club; MCA [ARRLWeb]

 

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