SLOW SCAN TELEVISION HELPER
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FOR RADIO AMATEURS & SWL'S THAT
ARE STARTING WITH SIMPLE INTERFACE IBM SSTV SYSTEMS OR SOUND CARD
INTERFACE SYSTEMS AND ALSO MAC AND LINUX COMPUTERS 

(Slide show 3 low quality SSTV pictures

 Note: All GIF animation pictures takes time to load)

 Note: Animation graphic may  require Java  Last changes made Dec.. 22 - 2004

It has never been easier or less expensive to get into SSTV
You can use a  IBM,MAC and also a Linux computer. The following information is for slow scan television systems with software programs to download and graphic pictures and diagrams and also links to the new web file picture transfer programs etc. and more SSTV web sites that will display when you click on the underlined hyper text!

For my original  QST article "Getting Started with SSTV"  see QST magazine  Sept.1997 page 53. Note: if you have the Adobe Reader installed you can view and print the article in color at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/99753.pdf 

 Or you can also view the original unedited  article text  if you  click the following!

  Original Article Text
 Note: To download and install the Adobe Acrobat  PDF Reader click the following http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/main.html

SSTV Software  Downloads
Today we have numerous web sites with shareware and even free ware downloads for the simple Interface (Hamcom systems) and the newer Windows sound card arrangements. We also have free software to convert graphic file types and modify pictures and capture the computer screen etc.
 You can also down load Several SSTV programs and various Digital communication etc. programs from the "RIGblaster" web site (the manufacture of a interface device) to connect the transceiver to the Computer and microphone etc. to simplify normal computer and SSTV radio operation) A search for "SSTV" with a good search engine like Google at http://www.google.com  will produce numerous Amateur web pages with software downloads also. If you have an older IBM computer with a visa video card you may wish to use the DOS simple interface arrangement. With the newer faster computers you can use the simple Windows Sound Card and software setups.

  The following is just a few links to locate software for web download.
  Rig Blaster   KB4YZ WEB PAGE

If you don't have a web service provider (ISP) you can also download software with a computer with only a modem and telephone connection
           BULLETIN  BOARDS  WITH  SSTV SOFTWARE TO DOWNLOAD

  INTERFACE  AND SOUND CARD SSTV SYSTEMS

    CHECK THE FOLLOWING  TO VIEW SOME  TYPICAL  SSTV PICTURES
  MY SHACK  TWO DOGS   ME IN BOAT   DX SSTV
MY MUG SHOT

To get pictures to use the simple way is just to save and  replay a received SSTV picture.You can also use any of the following methods to obtain pictures to save to a floppy or the hard drive and resend with a SSTV program....
Graphic Picture Sources

1. CD -ROM'S  2.  FLOPPY-DISK  3.  PAINT-PROGRAMS  4.  CLIP -ART  5.  SCREEN-GRAB 6. PRINT-PROGRAMS 7.HAND/FLATBED-SCANNER  8. CAMCORDER (WITH A CAPTURE DEVICE) 9. TV/VCR  & DIGITIZERS  10. DIGITIZED STILL-FILM PHOTOS  11. INTERNET/WEB
 12. DIGITAL-CAMERAS  13. OFF-THE -AIR 14.GOOGLE IMAGES

POPULAR  SLOW  SCAN  FREQUENCIES
Just tune in with upper or lower side band on HF or FM with VHF as most SSTV programs have tuning indicators.
 Note: SSTV is just an  Audio signal
28,680Khz  21,240Khz  14,230Khz  7,171Khz  3,845Khz  1,840 -1850Khz
144Mhz /on some local  Rptrs.

DIAGRAMS FOR IBM SIMPLE INTERFACE CIRCUITS FOR DOS AND WINDOWS
(If you like to construct your hardware click the following )
Sound Card Interface
DOS interface
JV-Fax Interface
EZ-SSTV Interface
Note: Several Commercial Interface hardware devices are available to simplify connecting  the computer  and the Xceiver to permit switching between normal and SSTV operation like the  RIGblaster Co. Interface devices  at http://www.westmountainradio.com or the  MFJ 1275 Interface at  http://www.mfjenterprises.comor the Tigertronics Co. SL-1 Interface at http://www.tigertronics.com

DIGTRX

Note: All the Proceeding Information pertains to Analog SSTV systems for radio, for the new Digital systems click the KB4YZ  Web page link above for information and  downloads of the new DIGTRX  etc. programs Licensed amateurs with faster computers may wish to send the JP2 compressed pictures and GIF animations and voice files etc. with various new features on  14,233 MHz  using the digital modes.

WEB  GRAPHIC  FILE TRANSFER METHODS

"InterAce"
The new Internet Web Picture Transfer
SWL's that can not use the Amateur web/radio voice programs like Echolink and Ham Radio SSTV may however wish to use the new graphic picture file transfer program "InterAce" now available as a free download at several web locations. Just do a Google search for "InterAce SSTV" The advantages of InterACE for exchanging pictures is it permits pixel perfect reception, with out noise or fade or interference and no TVI, etc. and a transmitter or radio receiver or antenna is not required, only a simple 56k modem or faster internet connection using an IBM computer to exchange pictures with Hams and SWL's around the world. The InterAce program has an auto-save function and a auto-send feature. and operates with BMP and JPG graphic file formats. Pictures can be saved in one directory and loaded from the same or a different directory. After the InterAce program is downloaded you need to configure the program with a Call Sign or a designation like "SWL-JOE" as a example and select a server and port number. One of the currant active servers is "acetv.mcc.ac.uk " and  port  "80."  Or you can possibly locate some one on Echolink that may know of a server that is active. Just type acetv.mcc.ac.uk and port 80   in the little windows.    Note: Licensed Amateurs can use the Echolink Radio/web voice program and also operate InterAce program at the same time by switching windows or resizing windows for a split screen display. The InterAce program permits you to add colored text with various font types and sizes to your pictures and also add some header and footer text to your pictures. Note: If you are using the Windows XP operating system you will need to turn off the default Windows firewall. Web picture transfer may not be real "Ham SSTV using radio", but for even some hams living in apartments, who are unable to put up a proper antenna, it permits them to exchange high quality DX pictures from around the world. Note: Several free programs can be used to view your auto-saved received pictures full screen and also as a slide show function with the "OfotoNow" and "Picip" and the "dotPhoto Viewer" etc. these viewing programs are available on the web with a Google search by name at the following.
 http://www.google.com

You may also wish to try the new free CQPhone web program that permits hi quality voice, and video/phone, and text and picture and web page etc. transfers even with an older slow computer and a slow web connection  (No Amateur license required) Locate and download with a Google search for CQPhone .
Note: Fast web connections (broad band) will result in fast picture transfers and permit  voice and video and graphic file transfers at the same time. For details and help information on fire wall problems, etc. click the question mark  at the top of on screen telephone picture.

73 Ramon Glidden W5NOO

Web Award 

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