VK3RTV

VK3RTV is an amateur television station based in Melbourne, Australia. The station's repeater is located on Mount Dandenong and is one of a number of audio and video repeaters licensed to Amateur Radio Victoria.[1] The output of this repeater can be received by many but not all standard digital television receivers at the start of the UHF TV band, roughly where UHF Channel 16 would be if there was such a channel. The output of the repeater is only 30 watts and is at a much lower signal level than commercial, community and government TV broadcasters. A masthead amplifier would be of assistance in receiving the station but is not a necessity. An up-to-date list of Amateur TV capable Set Top Boxes or Digital TV receivers can be found at VK3KHB [2] or the VK3RTV web page. [3]

Transition to Digital

VK3RTV has been converted to digital transmission only, after 30+ years of analog transmission since 1979.[4][5] VK3RTV is now broadcasting with two Standard Definition digital channels (576i). The transition from analog to digital was partly funded by the Wireless Institute of Australia [6] and users / viewers of the service.

Programming

Amateur Radio Operators are restricted in terms of the content they may transmit in that the transmission of "entertainment" is not allowed. However Amateur Radio Operators are nonetheless able to transmit a wide range of educational material related to Amateur Radio, electronics and many other subjects.

Typical programs or video viewers can expect to see include Amateur Radio related videos, slideshows, electronics tuition, home videos, test patterns, sound experiments, retransmissions of amateur radio nets and videophone contacts with other amateurs and link ups with International Space Station, SKYPE links to other ATV groups across Australia or just about anywhere in the world.

The following regular programming has been noted:

Most Saturdays around 7.30 PM, Peter VK3PB shows and hour or two of educational or Amateur Radio related material including episodes of the IPTV show Amateurlogic. From time to time a digital fish tank, similar to live Fishcam which used to be shown on Community Television on Channel 31.[7]

Most Fridays starting about 9.30 P.M. VK3KHB, transmits Astronomy related material as well as other subjects of interest.

Repeater Output (DVB-T Digital Transmission)


Mode: DVB-T
Centre Frequency: 446.500 MHz
Modulation: 16-QAM
Guard Interval: 1/4
Code Rate: 2/3
IFFT Mode: 2K
Occupied Bandwidth 7 MHz
Lower Bandwidth Limit: 443.000 MHz
Upper Bandwidth Limit: 450.000 MHz
Output Power: 30 Watts
Antenna: 3 x Yagi, 120 degree pattern
Polarisation: Horizontal

Repeater Inputs

Mode: FM TV
Frequencies: 1250 MHz, 1283 MHz, 10410 MHz
Audio Carrier: 6 MHz subcarrier
Occupied Bandwidth: 18 MHz
Lower Bandwidth Limit: 1241 MHz, 1274 MHz, 10401 MHz respectively
Upper Bandwidth Limit: 1259 MHz, 1292 MHz, 10419 MHz respectively
Antenna: Phased Array
Polarisation: Horizontal, Horizontal, Vertical respectively

Mode: DVB-S TV
Frequencies: 1255Mhz, 1278 MHz
Symbol Rate: 5000
FEC: 3/4
Occupied Bandwidth: 6.5 MHz
Lower Bandwidth Limit: 1251.750Mhz, 1274.750Mhz respectively
Upper Bandwidth Limit: 1258.250Mhz, 1281.250Mhz respectively
Antenna: Phased Array, Bowtie, respectively
Polarisation: Horizontal, Horizontal, respectively

Known users of VK3RTV

There are a small number of amateur television enthusiasts (amateur radio operators with television transmitting equipment) who transmit to the greater Melbourne metro area, Yarra Valley and surrounds via VK3RTV and is also watchable via the internet by digital link to the British Amateur Television Club's website in the UK.

Observed Stations: (silent key - VK3KBL - VK3LA)
VK3AAZ,VK3AOB,VK3AGJ,VK3BFG,VK3BCU,VK3CH,VK3FMD,VK3GE,VK3GMZ,VK3IV,VK3JDA,VK3KHB,VK3KOS,VK3LL, VK3MN,VK3PB,VK3TMS,VK3TVZ,VK3WWW,VK3XOK,VK3XKD and VK3XZA. [8]

References

  1. ↑ "Amateur Radio Victoria". Amateur Radio Victoria. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  2. ↑ "Amateur TV capable Set Top Boxes". VK3KHB. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
  3. ↑ "Receiving VK3RTV". VK3RTV Online. Retrieved 2009-12-22.
  4. ↑ "VK3RTV latest News". VK3RTV Online. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
  5. ↑ "Melbourne Amateur TV Group". VK3RTV Online. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  6. ↑ "2008 Club Grants Announced". Wireless Institute of Australia. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  7. ↑ "Amateurlogic TV". Southgate Amateur Radio Club (UK Radio Club). Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  8. ↑ "VK3RTV unofficial website Users". VK3KHB. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
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