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:

1. Hellobox 8 Combo (DVB-T/T2/S/S2/C — receives both input and output of VK3RTV; appears to have a more sensitive receiver)
2. GT Media V7 Pro
3. VMADE C5 Combo (DVB-T/T2/S/S2 — receives both input and output of VK3RTV)
4. 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