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| With a FREE sstv (slowscan) program available (MMSSTV) and a
local ham group (the WARC) that supports all modes of fun, there is
no reason NOT to share your family vacation with local and world
hams. |
| Receiving is easy. Transmitting offers a more complex problem.
Yea, you can buy an interface to connect the computer to the radio,
but how do you know if you like SSTV? |
| In fact, why SSTV? You can send pictures to people on the
Internet but anyone can receive net pixs, only hams can receive
SSTV. ATV is a movie, SSTV is a slide, and it is fun. Anything, the
kids, dogs, cats, stolen pictured from the net, whatever, it's
personal on ham radio. |
| As I said, the receive is easy. Connect the external speaker of
your radio to the input of the computer sound card and with the
receive of a pix or two you are receiving HF or FM pictures. Now
that transmit (TX), that's different. Normally, the pros want a
direct connection from the sound card to the radio. This device keys
the radio and you set back and wait for the compliments. NOT me, I'm
cheap. I'm a ham. I want things easy, not too expensive and working,
most of the time. |
| So, me? I use an acoustically coupled connection from the
computer to the radio. I can send SSTV on any radio I own. The
secret? Get rid of the background (echo) noise. Don't use the
computer speakers, they are too good. Use an external speaker, left
or right side, it doesn't matter as long as you choose one or the
other. Here again, I don't want the decisions so I use a stereo plug
at the sound card and a mono plug at the speaker. Left, right,
stereo, doesn't matter you only have one side with the mono plug.
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| Then, use some foam on the speaker. Cut a small hole in the
foam, place it on the speaker and when you are ready to send, place
the mic over the hole in the foam, click TX and key the mic. Wow-O,
a picture is sent. It takes about 72 seconds; not that long to hold
the mic key down and it didn't cost much. Use any soft foam, a corn
pad, insulation, pillow part, carpet padding, anything that will
direct the majority part of the audio into the mic and not the back
of the mic. |
| I have found that an amplified speaker works better because the
sound card audio can be kept low and the audio to the mic can be
increased through the foam. However, great results can be had if you
use care about directing the audio to the mic input. |
So by the letters:
- A. Acquire a copy of MMSSTV (the best place is from the ABØDP,
links) at fmsstv.net and follow the directions.
- B. Install program.
- C. Direct speaker out from radio to input of sound card.
- D. Receive a picture or two and align picture to computer.
- E. Disconnect computer speakers and connect an external
speaker to sound card.
- F. Find foam for external speaker, apply as needed, hold mic
to opening in foam in speaker, key mic and click TX on program.
- G. Wait for compliments and/or apply more foam.
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On HF or FM just remember the obvious, you want people to hear
your voice or hear your SSTV tones, if the background noise is
greater than or equal to your audio, you are not heard with good
clarity. Direct as much audio directly to the mic input as possible
and you can foam at the mouth about that great contact. Lookin' for
you on SSTV.
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