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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
Laurence Steiner (N1URE)
on
February 2, 2006
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I recently took down my 70cm ATV repeater. It was the only ATV repeater for Western Ma. and Connecticut. It was a fun project that started out all home brew. Lots of Elmer help. It evolved into a near commercial quality system. Now it's gone. Why? Lack of use. I just got tired of keeping the gear going when I was the only user. This mode has limited range in this part of the country 40 miles from the repeater is about all you get. Working ATV is a ball. Talk to the TV on 2 meters and the TV talks back. Yes some of us talk to our televisions and are not using ATV.
I'm inclined to say that it's faded into the ether because it is not plug and play. Yes you can buy gear and just hook it up but it still takes attention to detail to make it work. Buying everything over making can be expensive costing $500 on up by the time you have what is needed. I made most of my stuff. Got cameras and TV's at tag sales. Later I did go and purchase some commercial electronics parts.
So, back to the topic. Any ATV'er out there? How do you plan on keeping ATV alive? Non-ATV'ers what do you think? All you need is a tech license to use the mode.
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KX8N on February 2, 2006
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I don't know about VHF or UHF, but I hear ATV everyday on HF. I guess it depends on where you hang out on the bands. On HF, ATV is alive and well.
Dave
KX8N
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by K0BG on February 2, 2006
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It depends on where you are. The Denver, area has a lot of FSTV, and I can only assume the repeater is still up (been gone from Denver for 5 years).
Here in Roswell, there isn't any FSTV or SSTV that I am aware of. The gear I used to own was donated to a local amateur radio club. When if ever they intend to operate ATV, I can't say.
The major reason I'm not on ATV any longer is due to the content of the data which has degraded to near gutter mentality; not my cup of tea.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by WF7A on February 2, 2006
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It may be another case of the Internet taking over, Laurence: it's hard to justify spending big $$ for an ATV system when you can pick up a low-rez webcam for $20. That, or we ops are self-conscious about what we look like and don't want to broadcast that image to the world; those kind of images may frighten small children. :D
ATV in the field, however, would be incredibly useful in times of emergency, though. Has anybody out there made inroads toward manufacturing or making a custom body harness to carry ATV radio gear and such?
Cheers,
Rich
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by N6AFV on February 2, 2006
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I think WF7A is on to something here! A small FSTV system that could be used in emergencies might be a good project to do. I think that the main issue to be resolved would be that you'd have to have enough stations with the necessary equipment to receive the transmissions.
I don't spend much time on the air, so my exposure is limited, but I have seen a couple of SSTV pix on the HF bands. I don't have any VHF equipment for video reception, so I don't know if there is any VHF activity here in the western Nevada area. I do also agree that the internet/webcam technology has supplanted a lot of older ways of sending pictures & video.
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by K8MHZ on February 2, 2006
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SSTV is still alive and steppin'.
On voice QSOs that is. Listen to 14.230 and you should hear SSTV in the mornings. Splattering into 14.235.5. Not once have I heard any form of ID. Not to say it isn't there, I just haven't heard it. The SSTV operators interfere with an ongoing net practically every day. We do our best to try to hear over them and usually do fine, but I think it would be more courteous if they would check the frequencies before they let the 'birds' loose.
Aside from that, it seems like ATV would be pretty interesting. I just have too much to do with my HF/VHF/UHF Voice CW station to make time for ATV.
So many ways to enjoy ham radio, so little time!
73,
Mark K8MHZ
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by N0AH on February 2, 2006
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Al,
Don't you have a lot of room out to ride one of these out there in Roswell?
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by W6SN on February 2, 2006
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Indeed, ATV is a wonderful mode. Here in the bay area, we have an ATV repeater up on Mt Diablo, that covers most of the bay area, and a little beyond. There are about 10 regular users, and about 15-20 more than will periodically show up on the air. We had a resurgence of the mode, when KF6IQL passed away. He was referred to as the local ATV guru, and would donate gear to get people on the air constantly. I, for one, know he got me going in it, and my wife and I love every time we get on the air.
Regarding the portable stuff, we've made quite a few forays into portable and/or mobile operation. There is a backpack that I've retrofitted with a pvc mast to keep a homebrew 1.2ghz antenna high enough that it doesn't hurt the operator too much, and it has a piece of particle board at the bottom to hold the batteries, and some tie wraps that the amp and rig slide into. Originally I was walking around downtown Walnut Creek (just outside of San Francisco) using that and a North Country kit, along with a little portable TV, and a handheld. We actually had some really fun times with that. It's a joy to walk around downtown, and interview people on the street. They ask the camera, "what is this for?" and they are answered immediately by someone on the handheld, "Well, we're live, this is John, down in Livermore" (which is about 35 miles away). The interviewees were astounded!
As for mobile operation, I originally had homebrewed a vertical collinear, but have since purchased a NR-124 for operating while driving. For legal reasons I don't have a visible receive when in the car, but people do talk back to me on a voice 2m repeater. I used to do a bunch of tests in the area, see where we had good coverage, see where not, and ended up putting over 1000 miles on my car :) People have enjoyed riding "shotgun" with me on those trips.
To answer your question, "Is ATV a dead mode?", I would have to answer with a resounding "no". You just have to use it more, or start elmering people to get into it. If anyone is in the bay area, and is interested in getting on atv, either just to receive or transmit, let me know. email me @ w6sn+eham@slashze.ro , and look forward to a camera operating at the alcatraz swim, providing live coverage for the older, homebound hams, who don't wanna get up and out to the san francisco bay shore at 6am.
Jason/W6SN
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by W6SN on February 2, 2006
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Indeed, ATV is a wonderful mode. Here in the bay area, we have an ATV repeater up on Mt Diablo, that covers most of the bay area, and a little beyond. There are about 10 regular users, and about 15-20 more than will periodically show up on the air. We had a resurgence of the mode, when KF6IQL passed away. He was referred to as the local ATV guru, and would donate gear to get people on the air constantly. I, for one, know he got me going in it, and my wife and I love every time we get on the air.
Regarding the portable stuff, we've made quite a few forays into portable and/or mobile operation. There is a backpack that I've retrofitted with a pvc mast to keep a homebrew 1.2ghz antenna high enough that it doesn't hurt the operator too much, and it has a piece of particle board at the bottom to hold the batteries, and some tie wraps that the amp and rig slide into. Originally I was walking around downtown Walnut Creek (just outside of San Francisco) using that and a North Country kit, along with a little portable TV, and a handheld. We actually had some really fun times with that. It's a joy to walk around downtown, and interview people on the street. They ask the camera, "what is this for?" and they are answered immediately by someone on the handheld, "Well, we're live, this is John, down in Livermore" (which is about 35 miles away). The interviewees were astounded!
As for mobile operation, I originally had homebrewed a vertical collinear, but have since purchased a NR-124 for operating while driving. For legal reasons I don't have a visible receive when in the car, but people do talk back to me on a voice 2m repeater. I used to do a bunch of tests in the area, see where we had good coverage, see where not, and ended up putting over 1000 miles on my car :) People have enjoyed riding "shotgun" with me on those trips.
To answer your question, "Is ATV a dead mode?", I would have to answer with a resounding "no". You just have to use it more, or start elmering people to get into it. If anyone is in the bay area, and is interested in getting on atv, either just to receive or transmit, let me know. email me @ w6sn+eham@slashze.ro , and look forward to a camera operating at the alcatraz swim, providing live coverage for the older, homebound hams, who don't wanna get up and out to the san francisco bay shore at 6am.
Jason/W6SN
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by N0AH on February 2, 2006
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OK, so I guess everyone interested in ATV has posted.....can we move on now?
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KC8VWM on February 2, 2006
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Any ATV'er out there?
---------------
...Raises hand.
ATV is alive and well here in Ohio.
The ATV repeater here is buzzing with video signals all the time.
The ATV network located here is probobly the most extensive ATV repeater system setup anywhere in the country.
Transmitter and link information here:
http://www.atco.tv/homepage/rptrinfo.htm
ATCO Homepage:
http://www.atco.tv/homepage/index.htm
73 Charles - KC8VWM
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by K4RAF on February 2, 2006
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It is dead when you consider what can be done with 802.11B cameras & streaming video via wireless feeds.
I own 2 - 640x480 cameras with 2.4GHz radios built into the body. A 15W solar panel on each, with storage battery, to supply mains free power. Ran both of them during a webcast of a hydroplane race here in VA in October. It was viewable anywhere in the world with a web browser by bouncing cams off an 802.11B access point. One camera was used as a portable cam & moved throughout the race course, the other fixed high above the race.
The beauty of it? No "what's your call", running seperate audio feed on another band, injecting a callsign ID into the frames & restricted content sillyness. It was simple, complete & lots of "ooo's & ahhh's" by race fans, when the video was shown to them on my PDA. Using wise antenna deployment lead to a full square mile of coverage on all Part 15 signal levels (or under).
Add to this thread's core topic the idiotic opposition to Part 15 902-928MHz analog video by the ARRL & ham radio is stuck deep in the mud made wet 20 years ago. What could be a quality source for FCC approved fast scan wireless cameras (analog) is instead met with opposition & stonewall obstruction over a band already surrendered or never even occupied by anymore than a handful of hams. Ham radio & video: Dead indeed.
Anyone seeking details on 802.11 wireless & cameras can write to me at:
k4raf@yahoo.com
"NO HSMM here, I can share with anyone..."
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by K2WH on February 2, 2006
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I ride my ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) every weekend. How could this sport be dead? Lots of people have these and have races and other sporting events with them. Dead? No way.
K2WH
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by K2WH on February 2, 2006
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K8MHZ wrote:
"Listen to 14.230 and you should hear SSTV in the mornings. Splattering into 14.235.5. Not once have I heard any form of ID."
They ID on the video! They don't have to on voice and most do it with CW at the end of transmission. You're not listening.
K2WH
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by W8VHO on February 2, 2006
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Well Sir, I am faithful sstv'er and if you'd listen, those dits and dahs at the end of a pic(sstv signal), is called CW also known as morse code! That is a identifier!! Same thing you hear on most repeaters! And if you want to talk about SSTV splater, we ask for 2 freqs 14.230 for analog sstv and 14.233 for digital ( just 2 little freq on 20 meter) NOW this was a conversation I had with some gentlemen on 14.228 mhz I ask if they could move down one khz ( just one!!!) to 14.227 to give a nice 3khz space ( which should be common practice of a ham) so the 500watt station that was totally spattering all over 14.230 wouldnt be so bad, the reply was " well 14.227 and 14.225 were busy and we were trying to squeeze in! " GOD sake people I just went up to 14.330 and scanned to 14.350 absolutely dead! NOW WHY WOULD YOU HAVE TO SQUEEZE ANYTHING!!!! SO I cant understand why 2 frequencies out of all of 20 meter we cant have but 14.230 and 14.233 to do a really fun mode of ham radio....PLEASE REVIEW THE GENTLEMENS AGREEMENT OF HAM BANDS!!
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by WY3X on February 2, 2006
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ATV is alive and well here in Myrtle Beach, SC. Well, sort-of. The equipment was purchased by our local club 8 years ago and never put on the air. It was sold a few years later to another ham, who has had trouble finding a site for it. Now we have a site, most of the equipment is installed, but one module of the system (the ID'er) had a problem. Now winter has set in, and on top of that everyone is too busy, or the weather too bad to get back to the site to get it on the air. Be patient, grasshopper! ATV will be on the air here soon! (The original author was not referring to HF SSTV, rather UHF and higher FSTV.)
This is one instance where I hope having patience is eventually going to pay off!
-KR4WM
AEA VSB-70, Mirage D-100TVN amp, 10 element Yagi
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Is ATV a Dead Mode? Not at my QTH
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by KC7EKK on February 2, 2006
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I thought SSTV on HF was interesting to view. I would just leave the receiver on all day with the software running and by the end of the day I had a couple hundred photos to brows through. It is fun to see what people from all parts of the world find so important that they choose that picture out of all others to send.
Although more often than not, they should call it slow scan pornography (and mostly from 5 land).
As for ATV on UHF and above, I enjoy it much more. As for transmissions from other people, I have never received more than a re-broadcast of NASA TV from the local repeater.
I kept my interest in the ATV hobby up by designing and building my own transmitters and sending them up for suicide missions hanging from garbage bags filled with helium. I receive the footage until about 3-5 miles out where I loose the signal as well as the transmitter and camera. A CMOS camera costs me $30, and parts for the transmitter cost me less than $20. Surface mount technology ensures it is all very small. All together I am out $50 bucks per launch and if the ¾ mile fishing line tether holds, (it never does) I can re-use them again.
The most amazing thing is not being able to spot a clump of 16 black yard bags floating up 3 miles away and still receiving good video footage back showing the valley below. Ah fun times!
When I needed to entertain the family I would mount the transmitter and camera on an RC car (which I modified its range considerably by the way). We would all be gathered around the TV in the basement. It would be dark outside but with the infrared LEDs, I was able to remotely navigate around the neighborhood and scare all sorts of nocturnal animals up, (cats especially).
In college, I lived in an apartment complex with a very leaky cable TV system. My roommates and I would take the ATV transmitter (which I built into a small box with camera, infrared LEDs, rubber duck antenna, and batteries included) around to the other apartments. We would tell them that there was a new channel on 60. Sure enough with leaky cable and all, everyone in the complex could watch my channel within a 200-foot radius of the transmitter.
802.11 and its associated toys are cool and all but everyone has at least one cable ready TV in the house. Fire up your ATV transmitters and let your neighbors watch the show.
kc7ekk
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by WB8ELK on February 3, 2006
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ATV is certainly not dead (referring to fastscan UHF not SSTV on HF).
The real fun to me is simplex and DX ATV (yes, indeed some real DX is possible in this mode - up to 600 miles overland and 2500 miles overseas example: Hawaii to California).
ATV DXing is a fun challenge and is amazing when the tropo is in:
Some photos of the DX worked from Alabama last July - some over 500 miles away on 439.25 MHz and 434.00 MHz:
http://www.wb8elk.com/atvdx.htm
Also, a number of balloon groups have been sending up live ATV transmitters up to 100,000 feet and a good picture is viewable out to 350 miles or more from these Balloonsats using just one watt to an omni antenna....to find out if one is flying near you:
http://www.arhab.org
There is now an online ATV reports and sched location on the net which is great place to find and make ATV contacts:
http://dxworld.com/atvlog.html
As to local ATV repeaters and nets...there are a variety of very active groups in the country...a query to the DXworld.com ATV page will probably net you some info.
"Hams should be seen and heard",
- Bill Brown WB8ELK
Operating ATV since 1969.
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KB7TBT on February 3, 2006
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Absolutely not, FS ATV in Arizona is very much alive and kicking.
In fact we are still in the middle of a major project that we are working very hard to finish.
ATV over IP, Kind of like IRLP but with LIVE video.
We have the system up and fully operational but still have limitations with bandwidth that we are working hard on.
More information can be found at http://www.kb7tbt.com/atvoverip
The Arizona Amateurs on TV can be found at http://www.qsl.net/aatv
KB7TBT
http://www.kb7tbt.com
DM33
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by N3PAQ on February 3, 2006
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ATV is amateur television, ATV is used mostly to describe Fast Scan TV emission mode C3F (you'll learn that when you study for Extra). Also refereed to as vestigal-sideband TV, it is basically the same thing that your local TV channel puts out.
I agree that so much of ham radio has gone plug and play, and I am probably going to add to it. My first ATV transmitter was a kit, and I scrounged around for shielded video cables, a camera, and so on. Then just used the cable ready TV for receive. It was a lot of fun. But I wouldn't mind getting a nice ATV transceiver all in one box. As far as part 15 video and 802.11, it has its place for a consumer that doesn't really know, or care to know how it all works.
And ATV is fairly active in the Baltimore MD & Washington DC area.
73
Joe
N3PAQ
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by WY3X on February 3, 2006
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To WB8ELK:
THANKS!!!! I appreciate the links, and be warned, I'm extremely jelous of your ATV DX page!!! What are you
using to take your photos that don't show the sync line?
I hope to get to work you on ATV some day....
73, KR4WM
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by G5FSD on February 3, 2006
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Dead mode?! Not so much DEAD per se, just a *very* minority interest. Actually, probably an *interest* to many hams, but simply never followed up in any practical way.
I personally can't see the point - if I wanted to send video to people I'd 'get my fix' from webcams and the internet. It's only the technical, wireless, radio-wave aspect that is the extra dimension that ATV adds - which is fine if you have the resources (time, energy, motivation and $$$), but voice modes are enough for me. But each to their own!
I think it's a good excuse to hang on to the allocation at 23cm, but as for 70cm I'm not convinced. Here in the UK a few years ago the regulatory body wanted to offer us PRIMARY status at 432-438 IIRC (possibly EXCLUSIVE?), in return for the very valuable spectrum 430-432 and 438-440. It's only the small handful of ATVers that could argue that they somehow HAD to cling on to this spectrum. Some "wide-spaced" (7.6MHz shift) repeaters were the only other reason to lay claim to a whole 10MHz band in the middle of prime 'mobile comms real estate' - but the level of activity on the repeaters now is ridiculously low, so I question the point of those too. I feel embarrassed about my fellow amateurs clinging onto this scarce resource quite so tenaciously when it's so underused by us and so required by other services.
I'm sure it's the kind of issue that many would argue about "the thin end of the wedge", but I think we missed a good chance to get an exclusive band with no interference from the usual 'Other Users'.
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by K4RAF on February 3, 2006
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"As far as part 15 video and 802.11, it has its place for a consumer that doesn't really know, or care to know how it all works. "
There in lies the problem with the current state of ham radio. The operation of streaming video is far from "consumer" or "plug & play". It requires networking & RF knowledge. It simply amazes me that there seems to be no desire on the part of hams to participate let alone lead in utilizing & evolving the 802.11 technology, dismiss it as "consumer", yet most of you admit openly to buying PnP equipment for analog FSTV. So much for developing "leading edge" communications. I guess we relinquished that purpose over to "consumers"?
802.11B/G can use amateur frequencies, uses radio signals & it is FUN establishing new things to enjoy.
Imagine that, FUN?
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KA9UVY on February 3, 2006
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Larry, I would have to say that ATV is not Dead at all but many of the early experimenters of this mode have passed on and become silent keys. The problem seems to be replacing them with Real Hams with genuine curiosity and the drive to succeed in this mode. It seems that today if you cant buy it,take it home and plug it in (expecting results every time you turn it on) hams shy away from it or label it a joke or even call it a dead mode.
I have been a Ham for over 20 years and operating this mode for almost 12 years. ATV is indeed the most challenging mode out of all I have sampled including EME,Meteors,E-skip (so called weak signal work) but I am not an ATV repeater advocate. I have always worked simplex DX point to point ATV. The challenge in ATV repeater operation is in the building of the system. Once you do all of the fine work in building a great system the same thing usually happens, everyone gets bored looking at eachother and nobody has the time to do much production work so it sets there not used waiting for the lightning to come and put it out of it's misery.
DX ATV work is quite different since your everyday coverage is usually limmited to 60 miles or so. During the summer months we wait for signs of band openings and look for other operators with a can do attitude and wham! It happens real 2-way simplex video from over 300 miles. You usually don't get a chance to ever see all the other station has to show or possibly get tired of looking at them before the magic is gone (band closed) time to work on the system improvements again and keep watching for the next window of oppurtunity.
Yep a challenge indeed but one that can be very rewarding and worth the considerable effort.
ATV will always be one of the most viable means of communication we have. When I hear people say it's bandwidth is unexceptable in todays crowded spectrum I have to remind them. ( If a picture is worth a thousand words then I am sending at about 1,800,000.00 words per minute!) Thats with out subcarrier sound! Just the picture 30fps. Let's see anyone talk that fast or run that fast on code.
I have spent all winter here building my 100 element array for ATV that will perch atop the new 120 ft tower to be completed this year so I can work ATV state #14 this summer. I didn't do that to hear that the Mode is Dead. So knock it off Larry and wire some of that stuff up. Let's see if we can set a new overland record from S. Illinois to MA.
Take a look at ATVQ magazine and the DX coulumn or check out the ATV logger at DXWORLD. COM for possible ATV DX contacts. You will see me there!
73, Bob
KA9UVY
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KA9UVY on February 3, 2006
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Larry, I would have to say that ATV is not Dead at all but many of the early experimenters of this mode have passed on and become silent keys. The problem seems to be replacing them with Real Hams with genuine curiosity and the drive to succeed in this mode. It seems that today if you cant buy it,take it home and plug it in (expecting results every time you turn it on) hams shy away from it or label it a joke or even call it a dead mode.
I have been a Ham for over 20 years and operating this mode for almost 12 years. ATV is indeed the most challenging mode out of all I have sampled including EME,Meteors,E-skip (so called weak signal work) but I am not an ATV repeater advocate. I have always worked simplex DX point to point ATV. The challenge in ATV repeater operation is in the building of the system. Once you do all of the fine work in building a great system the same thing usually happens, everyone gets bored looking at eachother and nobody has the time to do much production work so it sets there not used waiting for the lightning to come and put it out of it's misery.
DX ATV work is quite different since your everyday coverage is usually limmited to 60 miles or so. During the summer months we wait for signs of band openings and look for other operators with a can do attitude and wham! It happens real 2-way simplex video from over 300 miles. You usually don't get a chance to ever see all the other station has to show or possibly get tired of looking at them before the magic is gone (band closed) time to work on the system improvements again and keep watching for the next window of oppurtunity.
Yep a challenge indeed but one that can be very rewarding and worth the considerable effort.
ATV will always be one of the most viable means of communication we have. When I hear people say it's bandwidth is unexceptable in todays crowded spectrum I have to remind them. ( If a picture is worth a thousand words then I am sending at about 1,800,000.00 words per minute!) Thats with out subcarrier sound! Just the picture 30fps. Let's see anyone talk that fast or run that fast on code.
I have spent all winter here building my 100 element array for ATV that will perch atop the new 120 ft tower to be completed this year so I can work ATV state #14 this summer. I didn't do that to hear that the Mode is Dead. So knock it off Larry and wire some of that stuff up. Let's see if we can set a new overland record from S. Illinois to MA.
Take a look at ATVQ magazine and the DX coulumn or check out the ATV logger at DXWORLD. COM for possible ATV DX contacts. You will see me there!
73, Bob
KA9UVY
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KA9UVY on February 3, 2006
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Larry, I would have to say that ATV is not Dead at all but many of the early experimenters of this mode have passed on and become silent keys. The problem seems to be replacing them with Real Hams with genuine curiosity and the drive to succeed in this mode. It seems that today if you cant buy it,take it home and plug it in (expecting results every time you turn it on) hams shy away from it or label it a joke or even call it a dead mode.
I have been a Ham for over 20 years and operating this mode for almost 12 years. ATV is indeed the most challenging mode out of all I have sampled including EME,Meteors,E-skip (so called weak signal work) but I am not an ATV repeater advocate. I have always worked simplex DX point to point ATV. The challenge in ATV repeater operation is in the building of the system. Once you do all of the fine work in building a great system the same thing usually happens, everyone gets bored looking at eachother and nobody has the time to do much production work so it sets there not used waiting for the lightning to come and put it out of it's misery.
DX ATV work is quite different since your everyday coverage is usually limmited to 60 miles or so. During the summer months we wait for signs of band openings and look for other operators with a can do attitude and wham! It happens real 2-way simplex video from over 300 miles. You usually don't get a chance to ever see all the other station has to show or possibly get tired of looking at them before the magic is gone (band closed) time to work on the system improvements again and keep watching for the next window of oppurtunity.
Yep a challenge indeed but one that can be very rewarding and worth the considerable effort.
ATV will always be one of the most viable means of communication we have. When I hear people say it's bandwidth is unexceptable in todays crowded spectrum I have to remind them. ( If a picture is worth a thousand words then I am sending at about 1,800,000.00 words per minute!) Thats with out subcarrier sound! Just the picture 30fps. Let's see anyone talk that fast or run that fast on code.
I have spent all winter here building my 100 element array for ATV that will perch atop the new 120 ft tower to be completed this year so I can work ATV state #14 this summer. I didn't do that to hear that the Mode is Dead. So knock it off Larry and wire some of that stuff up. Let's see if we can set a new overland record from S. Illinois to MA.
Take a look at ATVQ magazine and the DX coulumn or check out the ATV logger at DXWORLD. COM for possible ATV DX contacts. You will see me there!
73, Bob
KA9UVY
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by WY3X on February 3, 2006
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K4RAF, how about write and submit an article telling us how it's done? (The video over 802.11b but without using the internet....) I'd definitely be interested in seeing something like this up and running. I'd say it's the "next amateur radio frontier" (working into the GHz). Digital video would be the icing on the cake! Yeah, most of us (me included) would have to be plug-n-play for something this technical, but it sure would be cool to play with!
Thanks, -KR4WM
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KG4RUL on February 4, 2006
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Which came first, the ATV stations or the ATV repeaters?
That is the crux of the situation.
Dennis KG4RUL
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KA4KOE on February 4, 2006
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It is for me. After seeing one too many camera shots of fellow hams sans shirts and with guts hanging out, I sold all my gear. This was over 15 years ago here. The ATV repeater has since been taken down.
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KA4KOE on February 4, 2006
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BTW, if you search back issues of ATVQ, say early 90s, you find an article on the Savannah Georgia ATV repeater, by me.
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ATV Dead ? SuitSat is!!!
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by K4RAF on February 4, 2006
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KR4WM,
I have thought about it & appreciate your encouragement. I also got some really good email, a few not so good, 1 death wish. To clarify, I actually operated ATV but quickly lost interest because of the lack of interested people. Too much money, too much legality, not enough activity.
I have some notes collected. My problem is software & have dived into Linix since I can likely get something or someone willing to write something to do what I am doing, better, faster & without WinBlowz dogware. It can use the net but a simple DNS solves not having the net. I am going to put something up on the net to showcase some of what I have done in pics. Yes, perhaps an 'interactive archive', so to speak. Stay tuned...
I heard that SuitSat died. In getting back to Fast Scan, I pose the following:
Where is the imagination with using SSTV on SuitSat? The passes are too short for frames that take seconds to complete.
A 902-928MHz FastScan link is more exciting, perfect for simplex reception from an orbiting object & could go a long way toward promoting experimenting with low power...
On a band we don't use like 902-928? 430 would be OK but 900MHz Hmmm... A Trifecta !!!
k4raf@yahoo.com
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by K0JEG on February 4, 2006
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I've seen setups for mobile/portable ops for ARES/RACES, but other than that, not much activity. I think one of the big reasons for this is because of the time and effort involved in producing good quality television. I'm not talking about getting a good signal out there, but good, interesting pictures. If you want good sound, get a good microphone and learn to speak clearly (granted, that's a tough thing for many of us). If you want good television, get a good camera, good lighting, interesting backgrounds, learn how to properly light a scene, clean yourself up a bit, and get on the air. Even with the advent of reality TV, you still see proper framing, focus and lighting on TV. Most of the ATV stuff I've seen looks like the the old MIR feeds from the '80s without the excitement of being in space. More like someone's cluttered shed. We're all critics of television production techniques, even if we don't realize it.
Video is hard. Audio is easy. High bandwidth data is the future.
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by K1ATV on February 5, 2006
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The Amateur Television Network (ATN) based in SoCal has NINE FSTV repeaters linked permanently from San Diego to Santa Barbara and across the desert to Las Vegas Nevada.
There is a HAM TV repeater under consruction which will link to Kingman Arizona as well.
Eventual plans are to link a HAM TV repeater in Phoenix into the system and maybe, even add in Tucson.
There are four HAM TV repeaters in the Phoenix area of which three are operational - one cross band, one 70 cm in band and one in band on 1.2 GHz with FMTV in and AMTV out.
Several other states have ATN chapters as well including a linked system in the central Atlantic states (CAATN, IIRC).
Do a google search on Amateur Television Network for more info.
I've been in and out of HAM TV in AZ for close to 25 years now. I got my ham license SPECIFICALLY to run HAM TV.
Bil Munsil
K1ATV
Mesa AZ
Hams should be SEEN as well as heard.
(Unless they live in nudist resorts, that is.
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by K1ATV on February 5, 2006
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In the Phoenix area we have K0ATV, K1ATV, K2ATV, W7ATV/R, KA7ATV, W3TV, and N7TV - among other non-TV related calls.
The W7ATV/R - 434.00 in, 421.25 out, has two nets a week - Wed and Sun at 7:30 PM MST with talk back on the 146.84 MHz (PL 162.2) repeater.
The Arizona Science Center ham club (Center for Amateur Radio Learning) has a ham shack (W7ASC) complete with HF CW and SSB, VHF/UHF FM voice, UHF HAM TV and satellite capability.
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KG4JRR on February 5, 2006
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Well a friend an I are just getting into ATV. Our use will be for safety. Because he pulls around wide loads and I now drive a pilot car and follow him around sometimes. We are planning to try to send ATV pictures back and forth so that each of can see what the other is seeing. We feel that it might be one of those things that might have a commerical use in the future. In the begining we plan to split bands 900mhz and 1.2 gig. because we can get the gear. And we are planning to use B&W because it will work under low light.
So you see some of us are planning to start ATV.
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KC0LTV on February 5, 2006
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SSTV certainly is well and alive, as it 1) allows for the sending of images over the HF band, which 2) can go a very, very long distance, and 3) is relatively plug-and-play, since all one needs to do is download a free SSTV program and hook their rig up to a simple interface (home-built or bought for a relatively inexpensive price) - and even that isn't necessary, as I've transmitted SSTV over an HT before simply using the built-in microphone :)
FSTV is really cool, but I think one of the reasons for the lack of activity and interest is....the pre-existing lack of activity and the general novelty of the whole thing (which also is a huge draw). A very large percentage of hams already have camcorders to connect to their system, some very nice, so that isn't a problem. However, it seems that many hams like to focus on one or two aspects of the hobby - be it 80m CW, contesting, etc. and do not find the time or interest to get into full-scan. The many others who are or would be interested often have few others or nobody to communicate with via this mode, and there are probably many ops out there who have know nothing about it. I do think it is possible to garner additional interest in it, though, if you have enough people together to promote it, and show all the cool applications of it, like these guys do: http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.detroitatvrepeater.com (their actual site seems to be down)
One really cool field to explore, that many European hams, especially Slovenian hams, have done a lot of work in, is digital ATV, especially using MPEG-2 DVB-S. Check this out and don't tell me you aren't impressed: http://atv.hamradio.si/. Unfortunately, I don't think the FCC has approved this mode for US operation (but I very well may be wrong).
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by WB9UDJ on February 6, 2006
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Ask the President of the Illinois Amateur Televison Network that question, KC9HVQ, Mikayla.
Some say that all of the old people are leaving well here is a youngster coming into it. She is 11 and enjoys ATV.
BTW, I am her proud Grandpa and also proud that we have 100% of 3 generations ham radio ops.
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by K9KJM on February 6, 2006
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It has never been easier or cheaper to get going with ATV.
Take any modern day TV set that is "Cable Ready", Switch it to the "Cable" position, BUT then hook the antenna input to a regular outdoor TV antenna to receive ATV signals on cable channels 57 thru 60!!!!!!!! An antenna tuned for the ham band will work even better (440 Mhz band)
As mentioned, Cameras are available for close to free, Old broken "camcorders" will do the job, Or old surplus closed circuit cameras are now selling for a song.
PC Electronics sells the transmitters for a fair price to transmit. Years ago I converted an old Motorola UHF for ATV use (Not for the faint of heart)
ATV (Amateur Fast scan TV) operates above 430 Mhz, And is "live" action video.
SSTV (Slow Scan TV) Operates on HF and is more like slow speed internet pictures.
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by WD8NBK on February 7, 2006
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I have to agree here in Ohio atv is alive and well and kicking. There are repeaters up in Dayton and in Columbus. The equipment doesn't really have to be expensive. To get started in just receiving atv all one needs is a cable ready tv. Most atv signals can be seen on cable channels 54-60 using a outside antenna hooked to the tv and the set in the cable mode. For those unfamilar, the frequency range is just below regular uhf channel 14. Most repeaters have a 2 meter input or at least a 2 meter simplex frequency that the local users listen. This will allow a person that can receive to talk to those persons who are transmitting video. Just one way to get some activity going.
There are kits out on the market one can purchase and build. Here is an idea: if clubs would purchase the kits then club members could buy them at a reduced cost. This would help promote atv in areas that might be lacking activity.
The use of atv in emergencies or disaster work can come in handy.The ideas about portable systems is a worthy goal.
Maybe some of you talented designers and experimenters can bring your ideas and projects to Dayton this year. Using the Dayton Hamvention as a launching pad to help in revigorating atv. I think this would be a worth while challenge.
Just my two cents 73.
Frank WD8NBK
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KF4HR on February 8, 2006
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I can tell by some of the responses to your questions some people don't know the difference between SSTV and ATV! For those that don't know, there's a big difference folks! :)
Northern Virginia used to host one of the first (if not "the" first) ATV repeater in the country. Unfortunately it was disassembled a few years ago, and nothing has replaced it. A few of us in northern Virginia still dabble in ATV, but the numbers are few. I've experimented with full-duplex (cross band) ATV. That's just like being in the room with someone. Pretty cool!
Unfortunately, it's been my experience that a large percentage of amateurs feel ATV is just too much work, or not worth the effort. That's a real shame too because ATV opens a whole new world to amateurs.
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KR6N on February 9, 2006
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Can anyone tell me if there is any activity around the pensacola, FL area... Fort walton and mobile have been active in past years... Old friend gave me some equip and thought abt trying it out..
73
Ed kr6n
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by WA9ZOH on February 11, 2006
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What makes me even more furious is CONTESTERS! Some of those people whom must occupy any freq. they want to achieve their ends.
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RE: Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by WA9ZOH on February 11, 2006
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Hello. Reading your blog on ATV is gonna cost me more money on this hobby....How am I to explain this next expense to my wife? I've tried everything else and this is gonna be next. 73's from Prospect Heights, IL.
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KB3EQH on February 13, 2006
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Ham TV is quite active in Maryland. See the BRATS web site. http://www.bratsatv.org/
Although the Internet as a whole is durable, it is quite possible for local routers and servers to become disabled or saturated with traffic during a disaster. In addition, field emcomm operations may not have net access. With that in mind, some ARES groups are increasingly working ATV into deployment plans. Last year, one Maryland county ARES group participated in a successful drill with a local emergency agency, using ham TV to provide a video link between the incident command and the emergency operations center. They are now also installing an ATV repeater on that town's main hospital. Several local agencies have expressed interest in the possibilities of using ham TV in this way for emcomm. We do not make promises about it, nor do we have a lot of capacity. It IS in the tool bag, however, and gives us something else to offer served agencies.
Jeff Epstein, KB3EQH
PIO, MD-DC section, ARRL
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Is ATV a Dead Mode?
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by KC2DBJ on February 26, 2006
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This mode is not a deceased mode as per say compared to other digital modes like Hell if that is ever used.But Fast scan T.V. does still has its share of cynics who think it is too passe'...As it really is..It is a wonderful mode that has shown some interest in my area and I'm an Extra class so people ask why be on UHF..Everyone has a specialty wether it is CW,PHONE,RITTY,DIGITAL PACKET MODES or IMAGE.True it can be expensive to start an ATV station ($550 on 70 cm) plus coax,antenna,camcorder or ccd cam set and tower space rental or roof mounting but it is the best way to comunicate especially during emergencies.Don't forget that ATV is also found in the 33,23,13,6,3 and nanowave bands as well if you prefer FM ATV to Double vestigal sideband ATV.
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