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Reviews For: Kenwood VC-H1

Category: Specialized Amateur Communication Products

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Review Summary For : Kenwood VC-H1
Reviews: 5MSRP: 600
Description:
Portable SSTV unit
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.kenwood.net
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0054.6
KQ6EA Rating: 2007-06-25
Great Accessory! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two of these that I use mostly for fun. They can be slightly quirky to use until you've done it a few times, but they do work "As Advertised". I used them this year for Field Day to pick up an easy 100-point bonus for an SSTV Demonstration, and everybody who saw it wanted one. Too bad Kenwood doesn't offer these any longer. The bad thing about them is it's very hard to find the other accessories for them, like spare cables and the rubber protective case, which is going for $100 on eBay! They can be pretty hard on the AA batteries if you leave the screen on all the time, and I've found that Energizer Lithium batteries will last most of a weekend under heavy use.
AF4KK Rating: 2003-05-11
Wonderful FUN!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This portable SSTV is incredible. I currently own three units and hope to buy a 4'th someday (used, of course, since Kenwood no longer markets the VC-H1 (actually made by AOR)). The VC-H1 is versatile and ALOT of fun! I use them on both FM and sideband with great results! It's true that the cables are expensive but you can't do much without them. While you can't use the VC-H1 to set your protocol (unless you're using a TH-D7) there are ways around that problem when using multiple units!
VA3KS Rating: 2003-04-09
Cool gadget Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Wow, what a really neat gadget. I have had lots of fun running SSTV mobile using a local SSTV repeater. The VC-H1 is ideal for portable use and works great with my D700a and D7a(g). My only concern is the cost of the cables.

Kenwood realy made a great gadget and were way ahead of their time. They really blew it by not keeping this product in their line. I suspect with the increased interest in SSTV, they could have sold many more units if VC-H1 was still available.
KC6ETE Rating: 2002-07-21
Great unit, small flaws Time Owned: more than 12 months.

SSTV is an incredibly useful tool, and the VC-H1 definitely makes it easy to use.

I use mine with my TH=D7a, and TM-V7a, during local Skywarn nets. Our EOC station runs MMSSTV, and can send radar updates to the spotters, and receive weather pictures, and damage reports.

The camera can be dismounted, and any NTSC camera can be plugged in. The internal camera is somewhat low-rez, and not very sensitive, but this isn't a large problem in daylight.

I've had these for a couple years now, and I've caught two tornadoes in realtime. The image goes from me to the EOC, and from there by email to NWS in seconds.

One minus, the power supply input is 6V, instead of 12V, and it really drains the internal batteries fast. In my opinion, all vehicle/portable equipment should accept a 12V vehicle input with no problems. Too many adaptors and cables makes it a zoo. Also, the cable for the TM=-V7a could have included power to the VC-H1, but does not. Very frustrating to have almost unlimited power so close, and yet so far.
WX2NJ Rating: 2000-03-04
Impressive for the size of the package Time Owned: unknown months.
This is one of those products that you would assume to be directly compatible with other Kenwood products. Not so fast. You need a specialized cable for every type of rig you want to use this on. The instruction manual leaves a lot to be desired in explaining cable connections and the computer port is not even described. I finally found out that Kenwood sells a software program and cable, however this isn't described in the manual or the website. QST magazine illustrates the VC-H1 and the TM-D700A connected sending an SSTV signal. Kenwood doesn't even make the cable to accomplish this. All the parts have to be special ordered and after two weeks I'm still waiting. It is easy to capture an image and store it in memory. With 260,000 pixel resolution, the unit is close to some older ccd cameras. Still waiting to transmit a signal because of the connector snafu. Still waiting to download to a PC because of PC program and connector delays. The cable supplied with the unit fits only a Kenwood HT. If you have one, you're in business.