ATV equipment & software sources
Equipment for receiving or transmitting ATV in and around Melbourne can come from all sorts of places. If you're not the "build it yourself" type, there is a lot of second-hand equipment around. Building your own equipment is also an option — not as hard as it sounds.
TVs and set top boxes known to receive VK3RTV
Not all TVs and STBs will tune 445.500 MHz, and none will find it automatically — you have to tune manually via the menus. With the change to DVB-T2, most older devices will not work. Luckily there are cheap STBs that do the job, available from sites like AliExpress. Let us know at vk3rtv@hotmail.com if you have a working device not on the list.
Devices confirmed to receive VK3RTV DVB-T2:
- Hellobox 8 Combo (DVB-T/T2/S/S2/C — receives both input and output of VK3RTV; appears to have a more sensitive receiver)
- GT Media V7 Pro
- VMADE C5 Combo (DVB-T/T2/S/S2 — receives both input and output of VK3RTV)
- VMADE Q2
Many Chinese combo STBs advertised as receiving DVB-T2 & DVB-S2 in the same box can receive VK3RTV. Available for ~$35–$70 AU delivered.
Equipment sources
- Adverts in Radio and Communications magazines
- AliExpress (buyer beware)
- eBay (buyer beware)
- VKHAM Classifieds — VK Classifieds
- DATV Express Transmitter — datv-express.com
- MiniTiouner receiver / analyser — BATC Wiki
- Knucker receiver — BATC Wiki
- Portsdown 4 Transceiver — BATC Wiki
- Hides HV-320E Transmitter — hides.com.tw
- Buying equipment at Hamfests
- Cameras: miniature surveillance types through to home camcorders; Cash Converters is a good cheap source
- ATV (analogue) and UHF kits — Mini Kits, South Australia
- Antennas: most Melbourne operators make their own loop Yagis (hacksaw, drill, screwdriver). Loop Yagis are easy to build, require no tuning, and are broad-band enough for TV work.
For more information see the Links page.
Software
| Program | Comments |
|---|---|
| Loop Yagi design spreadsheet (V1.31) | Excel spreadsheet that calculates dimensions for loop Yagis. Includes photos in the picture tab. ~182 KB. |
| Adalm Pluto DVB TX Firmware (30 June 2025) | Firmware for the Adalm Pluto used by local ATVers. Works on original Pluto (all versions), Chinese copy Pluto, and Pluto+. No support offered — just a link to get you started. |
| Adalm Pluto setup instructions — VK3IE, 16 April 2025 | Instructions for setting up the Adalm Pluto with the firmware above and OBS or VMIX. No support offered — collated from various sources. Has been sufficient for locals to get the Pluto going. |