ATV repeater VK3RTV

The ATV repeater is in operation 24 hrs a day and provides coverage of the greater Melbourne area. The output of VK3RTV is 444.250 MHz (Below Channel 28 on most UHF TV sets).

There is also a reasonable amount of non-repeater or simplex ATV contacts on both 70cm and 23cm with some.

VK3RTV

Voice contact with other ATVers can be made on the ATV liaison frequency 147.400 MHz FM simplex. If you are unable to come up on the liaison frequency, then send a short note a to vk3rtv@hotmail.com and something may be arranged.

New ATV inputs for VK3RTV

The Melbourne Amateur TV Repeater VK3RTV now has an experimental 10GHz input frequency that is providing good vision and sound.

The first test transmission was by Joe Martinez VK3TMS portable in west suburban Sunshine running about 1-watt into a small portable dish.

Pictures and sound were very encouraging. The current receive antenna at VK3RTV is a single low noise amplifier pointing towards the Melbourne CBD from the elevated Mt Dandenong east of the City.

VK3RTV custodian Peter Cossins VK3BFG says plans are also afoot to build an omnidirectional antenna to encourage microwave operators in Melbourne, Latrobe Valley and Yarra Valley to try and access the system.

He has organised an automatic switching system which looks at the output of three separate receivers, two on 1.2GHz and the third 10GHz (1250MHz for greater Melbourne, 1285MHz for a spot beam down the Yarra Valley, and the 10GHz LNA that will eventually be connected to an omni-direction antenna).

VK3RTV output is still on 444.25MHz which can be found below Channel 28 on most modern TV sets. All inputs are to be FM modulated with 5.5 MHz subcarrier sound.

Later, 10Ghz will move to a more standard 6.5MHz subcarrier. Whichever receiver first detects TV sync captures the system and the others are on standby. It's a first in best dressed system with no priority on any input frequency.

The sensitivity of the sync detection is so high that a signal that is completely unintelligible (video wise) will key up the system.

VK3's GMZ, BCU, KOS, AOB, AAZ, BFG, JDG AND TRX have formed a consortium and are accessing components to build 10GHz ATV systems. With all those stations becoming active QRM is expected on 10GHz.

The ATV liaison frequency is 147.4MHz FM, if you are interested give it a call. Alternatively tune in and watch the developments.
http://www.vk3rtv.com