Difference between revisions of "146 MHz RB-TV"

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UK radio amateurs with full licenses have been given access to an extension of the 2mts band between 146 and 147 MHz but only for experimental modes.  This is done on a temporary basis and you will need to do an on-line application for a NoV to your current license using this link:
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UK radio amateurs with Full licences have been given access to an extension of the 2m band between 146 and 147 MHz, but only for experimental modes.  This is done on an annual temporary basis and you will need to do an on-line application for a NoV to your current license - see these links:
  
http://rsgb.org/main/operating/licensing-novs-visitors/online-nov-application/146mhz-147mhz-nov/
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* NoV Application: http://rsgb.org/main/operating/licensing-novs-visitors/online-nov-application/146mhz-147mhz-nov/
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* Additional RSGB guidance on 146 and 71 MHz at https://rsgb.org/main/operating/band-plans/vhf-uhf/vhf-spectrum-release/
  
The RSGB band plan now includes (and encouraged) the use of Reduced Bandwith Digital ATV (RB-TV) using 500 KHz centered on 146.5 MHz.  For more info on Reduced Bandwidth Digital television (RBTV) take a look at this [[:media:cqtvrbtv.pdf|RB-TV special edition of CQ-TV]].
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The RSGB band plan now includes (and encourages) the use of Reduced Bandwidth Digital ATV (RB-TV) using 500 kHz centred on 146.5 MHz.  For more info on Reduced Bandwidth Digital television (RBTV) take a look at this [[:media:cqtvrbtv.pdf|RB-TV special edition of CQ-TV]].
  
 
===RB-TV equipment for 146 MHz===
 
===RB-TV equipment for 146 MHz===
  
 
RB-TV on 146 MHz is not possible using "normal" DATV equipment and requires the use of equipment developed specially for the mode. For more technical details take a look at our getting started guide to RB-TV. [[Media:Getting Started with RB-TV.pdf|Getting Started with RB-TV]]
 
RB-TV on 146 MHz is not possible using "normal" DATV equipment and requires the use of equipment developed specially for the mode. For more technical details take a look at our getting started guide to RB-TV. [[Media:Getting Started with RB-TV.pdf|Getting Started with RB-TV]]
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====Transmit Equipment====
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*The BATC Portsdown is great project involving some simple construction to get on air on 146 MHz - [[The Portsdown Transmitter|see this introduction page.]]
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* The DATVExpress project offers a versatile and flexible transmit system for 146 MHz.
  
 
====Receive equipment====
 
====Receive equipment====
  
Due to the very low symbol rate, normal Set top boxes and satellite receivers will not receive RB-TV.  The BATC minituner project was developed specifically to receive RB-TV - [[MiniTioune|more details can be found on this wiki page.]]
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Due to the very low symbol rate, normal Set top boxes and satellite receivers will not receive RB-TV.  The MiniTioune project was developed specifically to receive RB-TV - [[MiniTioune|more details can be found on this wiki page.]]
  
Unless you use the new [[Serit tuner|Serit tuner with your minituner]], standard satellite tuners will not cover 146 MHz and you will need an upconverter from 146 MHz to L band - you can either home brew the upconverter or use one of the following:
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Unless you use the new [[Serit tuner|Serit tuner with your MiniTioune]], standard satellite tuners will not cover 146 MHz and you will need an upconverter from 146 MHz to L band - you can either home brew the upconverter or use one of the following:
  
* Roberto Zech Elektronik DG0VE, upconverter, power amplifier, mixer/oscillator module, LNA etc. http://www.dg0ve.de/en/index.htm
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* Roberto Zech Elektronik DG0VE, upconverter, power amplifier, mixer/oscillator module, LNA etc.
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* '''Update''' Sadly Roberto became SK in 2018; no alternative upconverter suppliers known at present.
  
You will probably need a filtered pre-amp - this design has proven to work very well on 146 Mhz RB-TV:
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===146MHz pre-amps===
*DG8 144 - 147 MHz pre-amp with filtering - note the kits were available from G4HUP who suddenly became SK in Feb 2017 - we will update the page when a new source is found.  http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek/vhfdx/dg8-preamp-v7.pdf
 
  
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You will need a filtered pre-amp before any up converter or tuner.
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* The DG8 144 - 147 MHz pre-amp with filtering has proven to work very well on 146 Mhz RB-TV: - http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek/vhfdx/dg8-preamp-v7.pdf . Note kits were available from G4HUP who suddenly became SK in Feb 2017. Short kits are currently available from SDR-Kits. https://www.sdr-kits.net/DG8-Pre-Amp-2M-Short-Kit
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* Minikits in Australia do a pre-amplifier but it may need more filtering. http://www.minikits.com.au/electronic-kits/rf-amplifiers/rf-preamplifiers/2m-RX-Preamplifier
  
 
====Filters====
 
====Filters====
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As the VHF spectrum is very crowded and we are operating close to the FM transmitter band and the 2mt amateur band, filters are essential on both transmit on recieve - not only to project other users against spurious from DATV transmissions but to avaoid blocking of the DATV reciever.
  
[[File:146 filter.JPG|400px]]
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Details of suittable filters are listed [[146 MHz filters|on this wiki page.]]
  
 
====Power amplifiers====
 
====Power amplifiers====
  
Sam Jewell G4DDK, 8W amplifier kits, pcb, manual etc.
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See this [[Power amplifiers|wiki page]] listing considerations and designs for 146 MHz power amplifiers.
http://www.g4ddk.com/144MHz8WPA.pdf
 
 
 
Anglia Live, suppliers of Mitsubishi power modules
 
http://www.anglia-live.com/products/rf-products/rf-discretes-modules/rf-mosfets/list/perpage/21/page/1
 
 
 
60W power amplifier pcb (available from G4DDK above)
 
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek/vhfdx/gm3sek-pa-module-board
 

Latest revision as of 17:34, 23 September 2018

UK radio amateurs with Full licences have been given access to an extension of the 2m band between 146 and 147 MHz, but only for experimental modes. This is done on an annual temporary basis and you will need to do an on-line application for a NoV to your current license - see these links:

The RSGB band plan now includes (and encourages) the use of Reduced Bandwidth Digital ATV (RB-TV) using 500 kHz centred on 146.5 MHz. For more info on Reduced Bandwidth Digital television (RBTV) take a look at this RB-TV special edition of CQ-TV.

RB-TV equipment for 146 MHz

RB-TV on 146 MHz is not possible using "normal" DATV equipment and requires the use of equipment developed specially for the mode. For more technical details take a look at our getting started guide to RB-TV. Getting Started with RB-TV

Transmit Equipment

  • The DATVExpress project offers a versatile and flexible transmit system for 146 MHz.

Receive equipment

Due to the very low symbol rate, normal Set top boxes and satellite receivers will not receive RB-TV. The MiniTioune project was developed specifically to receive RB-TV - more details can be found on this wiki page.

Unless you use the new Serit tuner with your MiniTioune, standard satellite tuners will not cover 146 MHz and you will need an upconverter from 146 MHz to L band - you can either home brew the upconverter or use one of the following:

  • Roberto Zech Elektronik DG0VE, upconverter, power amplifier, mixer/oscillator module, LNA etc.
  • Update Sadly Roberto became SK in 2018; no alternative upconverter suppliers known at present.

146MHz pre-amps

You will need a filtered pre-amp before any up converter or tuner.

Filters

As the VHF spectrum is very crowded and we are operating close to the FM transmitter band and the 2mt amateur band, filters are essential on both transmit on recieve - not only to project other users against spurious from DATV transmissions but to avaoid blocking of the DATV reciever.

Details of suittable filters are listed on this wiki page.

Power amplifiers

See this wiki page listing considerations and designs for 146 MHz power amplifiers.