Amateur Radio Victoria's DATV Repeater, VK3RTV commenced high definition television transmissions on Thursday 15th July with a two-channel multiplexed downlink using the DVB-T2 protocol.
It is believed that this is a first in Australia.
The system uplinks are on 1246, 1255, and 1278 MHz. using either high-definition DVB-S2 or standard definition DVB-S. All video trunking is via HDMI with the exception of the Media Box which generates the local callsigns and information. This will be converted to an HD version in the near future.
DVB-T2 is a second-generation protocol with many enhancements over DVB-T. Stations are reporting increased ease of reception and one station, VK3GMZ is accessing and receiving the system via knife-edge diffraction over Mount Dandenong. Very high-quality pictures are being seen which can be viewed on larger television sets. Small print is easily read.
The two multiplexed channels, VK3RTV1 and VKRTV2 are also streamed via the British Amateur Television Club.
As this is a new protocol to Australia only Set-Top Boxes which are DVB-T2 enabled can be used to receive VK3RTV.
The conversion was funded by members of the Melbourne Amateur Television Group.
The annual DATV QSO Party is scheduled for Friday 27th August and Saturday 28th August which may now include additional Repeaters in the USA. The principle is that DATV Stations transmit to their local Repeaters and a local Anchor ports the signal internationally.
