Brisbane ATV repeater VK4RMG - now has an Internet input

[VK4EA]

In the interests of progressing ATV, the SEQATV Group (www.seqatv.org), has implemented a Skype input into the ATV repeater system.

By way of background, VK4RMG has FM and DVB-S inputs on 1283 and 2415 MHz, AND outputs on 446.5 MHz DVB-T and 2415 MHz FM. If you are unable to receive either of the RF outputs don't despair, the output is viewable via the BATC streaming facility ( http://www.batc.tv/ch_live.php ) 24/7.

So if you any interest in having a go, pleae contact me, the Secretary SEQATV Group -> secretary@seqatv.org

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[VK4GHZ]

Peter, I have checked many times, and have only ever seen this:

Even on a Monday night @ 20:00 during a club meeting.

I'd rather be able to receive the actual repeater, but it has no footprint in the south western burbs .
(12 element yagi pointed at it + preamp & no huge obstructions in between according to terrain profiling)

Are there any plans to improve it's coverage?
More yagis in the array? More grunt?
Would be happy to donate towards costs.
Wider/better coverage would enthuse more participation.

With the streaming, after selecting VK4RMG and clicking "Watch", what's the trick to make it actually work?

[VK4EA]

Hi Adam,

Unfortunately, the regulations prevent us from beaconing 24/7. So you do need to be a little aware of the rough scheduling in place. Right now, as I type this I can see the streaming server relaying a program courtesy of VK4SU. _most_ evenings from about 7.30pm there is _some_ content. And for the early birds, from about 5am there is almost _something_ going out.

If there is a "No Signal" box, it is also conceivable that the streaming software has karked it. It is Windows, and an Adobe product, so it's not like Linux that runs forever. Please let me know so I check it.

Other then selecting the VK4RMG stream, it _should_ just work ........ given the associated browser plugins are up to date.

As for increasing the coverage, love to. We had a few extra sites organised, which would be more effective than throwing more RF power into the antenna arrays at Oceanview, but unfortunately that opportunity disappeared due to commercial site issues. The license limits us to 100W PEP, which equates to 25W digital, and given the 7MHz bandwidth is quite challenging to keep linear. The VK3 guys are lucky compared to Sydney and Brisbane people, they don't have all those bumps in the way.

You can always call me (that leftie socialist pinko union loving bloke .... ahhhhhh, I am now living once more in a workers paradise), I can check the repeater output and if necessary I can put up a picture.

[VK4EA]

All working OK

http://www.batc.tv/ch_live.php?z=1&id=1191&ch=2

[VK5ZD]

By way of background, VK4RMG has FM and DVB-S inputs on 1283 and 2415 MHz, AND outputs on 446.5 MHz DVB-T and 2415 MHz FM.

Can you provide any information about what equipment the repeater is using for the 446.5MHz transmitter? (i.e. modulator, PA, antenna)
What coverage do you get?

I'm playing with a DVB-T system myself at the moment and the biggest problem seems to be getting a reasonable amount of output power while keeping everything linear.

[VK4EA]

SR Systems DVB mini-mod2 and mpeg2 encoder. The PA is a 100w brick that produces about 20w when transmitting QPSK. We initially tried QAM16 but got poor range. QPSK gives similar quality with a greater coverage using less energy. Antennas are two yagis facing South and South-east (combined at the mast head). This services the most number of people given the terrain. With good receive antenna we have viewers 45km from the repeater.


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