---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 12 Aug 1996 10:06:45 -0500 (CDT) 
From: JOHN HOLMES 
Subject: message_atv 

To Todd Sherman...afn09444@AFN.ORG that:

1. Dallas has two ATV systems: K5OJI, non-repeat, Ch. 4 wx radar only, 
and KC5NQ, repeat, NEXRAD, NASA, etc. KC5NQ NEXRAD is a satellite feed 
linked to the repeater on 2.4 GHz. All functions are remotely commandable 
except the radar. The Radar has to be manually linked/connected.

2. The remote camera/ATV doo-dad to 'watch-the-sky' has been done several 
times, but a lack of interest in the 'avareage' Ham puts operations like 
that at a very low priority and the effort seems to disappear after a 
while. It can be accomplished, fairly simply. The 'better' idea is to 
place the camera away from the area to be watched, have a control input, 
for scan function/scan type, and a link back to a repeater. Suggestions: 
DON'T use 900 MHz. for the control link or video link....that band will
eventually 'go away', use 2.4 GHz. as the video link frequency (nobody's up 
there, but don't tell anyone!!), and 1.2 GHz for the control (same 
occupancy rate). The site camera was done when the Dallas 421 MHz. ATV 
system was located at 1270 Ft. in Cedar Hill. The biggest problem was 
lightning. We ran out of cameras and gave up on the idea.

Ref. the comment about tuning below ch. 14 to receive ATV....There are 
several 12 volt TVs that can tune down to 421 MHz., some require a bit of 
tweaking on the tuning voltage, some playing with the tuning buttons, but 
most will receive ATV.

Using ATV to aid in chasing has been a goal of numerous ATV systems that 
are up today. One of the biggest problems with an ATV system is that it 
is a bit more complicated than a voice system and the cost to keep it in 
good operating condition is somewhat brisk. An ATV repeater is basically a 
miniature commercial television station, without (thankfully) the 
studios. Therefore, those that like the ability to see the radar 
information for an area might want to help ($$$$$) keep it going. As a 
point of interest, the KC5NQ ATV repeater, in Dallas, is at the present 
very close to being a $25K device. 

If you desire more info. re. ATV, contact me, J. Holmes, via however this 
made it to 'the Net".