SSTV NET (inaugural) - 2 June 2022
Those of you who regularly listen to the VK7 Broadcasts would have noticed that there has been a slow scan TV group operating in the Hobart area for some time via the Queens Domain Repeater VK7RAD. This all happened at the suggestion of Richard, VK7ZBX.
The question arose: why not form a northern SSTV group and use the underutilised repeater VK7RJG?
So on Thursday June 2nd five northern amateurs formed a net, sending SSTV over VK7RJG (438.55MHz FM). After some teething problems, all exchanged high quality pictures. Participants were: Andrew VK7DW, Phil VK7ZPD, Collin VK7ZCF, Graham VK7KT and Peter VK7PD.
VK7RAA was used as a liaison channel. Phil has also set up an SSTV thread on the NTARC Discord page; it includes a screen grab of some of the Thursday night’s activities.
The net started at 7:30pm local time. The intention is to hold an SSTV net every Thursday night and when VK7RAF is repaired, the Hobart Group has offered to migrate to it so northern amateurs can exchange pictures with southern members via the link to VK7RJG.
The advantage of SSTV is it can transmit high quality still pictures over a voice channel. Any station equipped for digital modes such as FT8 can use SSTV by simply downloading free software such as MMSSTV.
For those on a phone or tablet using Android or Apple there are Apps available from their respective stores and work very respectably just holding your device to the radio speaker.
