ATSC distribution system for non-profit

[W2RWJ]

Disclaimer:   The ATSC distribution system under construction will also benefit the N2MO club station.

I am putting together an ATSC CATV headend to support several buildings on our clubs host site.  Proposed configuration:

• 1) OTA ATSC channels via a yagi pointed at NYC
• 2) VCR on NTSC channel 3
• 3) NASA-TV via ATSC modulators (we have 3 ATSC modulators and 3 commercial satellite receivers with component and HDMI outputs)
• 4)  Sony professional DVD player (it has an ATSC modulator fed via the component video output)

The intent is to avoid using cable boxes at the televisions and utilize the built-in ATSC and NTSC tuners. The ATSC modulators will output on channels not used by any of the local OTA (ATSC) station

Sanity check question:   The VCR channel 3 output is 60- 66 MHZ .   As far as I can tell, there is no corresponding OTA assignment in the NYC market.  

[K0JEG]

I guess I don't understand the question. Yes, ch 3's video carrier is at 61.2500 and the allocation is from 60 to 66MHz.

I'd be more concerned with your off-air solution though. You'll be better off demoding (receiving) the off airs and re-moding with ATSC (or QAM) modulators. Not only would this limit the possibility of other undesirable signals getting into your plant, it would also allow you to set up and maintain a consistent signal. If you're planing on installing line amplifiers you'll find that low level off air channels won't survive much amplification due to noise introduced by the amplifiers.

[W2RWJ]

That would be the ideal solution (and how the real cable companies do it), however our budget would not allow 20+ modulators!