Original unedited text of QST September 97 article "Getting Started in Slow Scan television"
with some updates!

 The following information is provided to give help to someone just starting out in Amateur Slow Scan Television.

Slow Scan Television Then And Now
       If you have ever wanted to get in to SSTV (the rellay fun part of Amateur Radio) it has never been as easy and inexpensive as it is now. With the advent of the personal computer that is found in over thirty percent of American homes a Ham can with as little as $20 or less assemble a simple op-amp interface with parts obtained from Radio Shack,using freeware or shareware and an IBM computer or use a computer sound card interface system with its necessary software to join this interesting part of the hobby.

  History or The Way We Were
      Approximately 30 years ago I constructed a slow scan monitor and camera developed by Cop Mc Donald from the article and diagrams in QST magazine as I remember and that approach was much involved and difficult to be sure.
At the time I thought the little green and black screen of a P7 surplus radar CRT using 120 lines vertically with a 8 second frame rate that let me view Hams all over the world was the best thing since sliced bread.(My Flying Spot scanner made with a electrostatic CRT and an enlarging lens with 931 photo multiplier tubes I obtained from old automatic automobile Head light dimmers I found at a junk yard and with more junk box parts was the marvel that I had assembled and used to make those early low quality pictures with).To tune my sinc coil circuits in the monitor I even used a recorded flute tone from a home electronic organ to an engineering book value of a musical note near the sstv vertical horizontal frequency.
      Back then to store or save pictures and even send SSTV I used a reel to reel audio recorder and also photographed the screen using a time exposure with a Polaroid camera with black and white ASA 1000 speed print type film.(Some early color sstv was made by sending a series of single color frames of the same picture by separating the three primary colors with color filters and then by photography recombining the three colors with a multiple exposure at the received end, this worked very well however it was a slow and expensive way to produce a sstv color picture).

 How it is Today
      Today I enjoy sending and receiving hi quality 16 million color pictures even in 3D and have hundreds of pictures stored on my computer that I make or receive from the ends of the earth. I print my pictures in color with a Ink jet on glossy 8 1/2 x 11 inch size paper. I make or obtain and modify pictures using various types of methods.
       At present there are now a large number of SSTV software programs available, some are freeware some are shareware and some are registered versions that usually can be obtained at a modest cost. Some of these programs run in DOS and some run in Windows 3.x and or Windows 95/98.
       There are also some stand alone sstv systems that do not require a computer such as the Tasco 70 U. And still other programs that use a card plugged in to a IBM computer ISA slot like the Pasokon TV classic,these all work very well. A person getting started that may only have a IBM 386 with 4 Meg of memory and a VGA monitor that they can possibly install a High or True Color Video card in providing 32k to 16 million colors can then have Hi quality results on a 640x480 screen with several of these simple interface Dos or sound card type SSTV software systems.
       As most of the Computers now being purchased are faster and have large hard drives more RAM and a sound card with VGA Visa video, that can run DOS and windows95/98 and probably also have a modem. the future for computer assisted SSTV looks bright. Those with the faster windows 95/98 computers may wish to use one of the sound card Windows 95/98 type interface SSTV systems, there is also a DOS based sound card system that will even run on a 386 computer.
       I have assembled several versions of the simple op-amp inter face units that run connected to the computer serial port or the internal PC speaker. Using the diagram that is usually included in the programs software. I have also used the View Port VGA hardware system with several versions of SSTV software or TSR setups. I have run the windows based sound card systems like Win-Pix- Pro etc. and I usually run the Pasokon 3 Classic ISA plugin card system and also with a diffirent program on a second computer so I can load pictures and watch at the same time what is coming in and going out.
       My conclusion after running a number of the various systems is simply that they all work and are sure fun to operate and as they continue to improve as they are updated with new functions and features that only require software programming changes it's getting better and more fun all the time.
       To obtain the information and software for the various IBM computer SSTV systems one of the best way now is to use the World Wide Web.There are numerous sites on SSTV these can be found with one of the web search engines like "Yahoo" or "Google" with a request for"SSTV" as most sites have Hyper text underlined links to additional SSTV web sites a large amount of information is readly available.
       I will include a list of a number of Amateur SSTV web pages and also my personal SSTV web page that has a search function and  links to sites where SSTV programs and graphic software can be found.
As the SSTV programs and graphic program software down loads are usually in a compressed or Zipped format it will be necessary to Unzip or restore the data to a usefull form with a program like QUINZIP or PK-UNZIP or WinZip.
       If you don't have a modem or a web service provider a request to some of the Hams running SSTV on a popular frequency like 14.230 or 14.233 for a copy of one of the shareware programs can be made and then send them some floppy disks with blank labels with your request and the required return postage. I have found this gets results. (SSTV Hams are nice guys)
      There are also down loads on the following bulletin boards for SSTV programs if you have only just a modem.

                                                     A.R.R.L BBS ph. 860-594-0306

                                                     COOKIE BBS Ph. 419-562-6327

                                                      ELMER BBS ph. 302-945-7224

           The following is a list of some of the various IBM computer SSTV type systems that I have found and generally had some experience with.

1. JV-FAX (By DK8JV a simple hamcom type interface SSTV color fax, etc. Software VPTSR is also available to run with View Port VGA hardware).

2.MSCRAN (by PA3GPY a simple hamcom interface SSTV dual color screen system, hardware interface is also available).

3.PROSKAN (Simple hamcom type interface color sstv system by KA1LPA).

4. PC GSH- (Simple Hamcom type interface color sstv system by DL4SAW).

5. Vester (Simple interface color sstv system by Ben Vester K3BC).

6. PASOKON TV Lite (Simple hamcom type interface color sstv system similar to Pasokon TV Classic with reduced functions by WB2OSZ John Langner.

7. PASOKON TV Classic (SSTV color Hardware/Software system installs in a 386 or faster with 4 Meg. or more of memory in a unused computer expansion slot, operates in DOS with a mouse. Lots of modes and functions By WB2OSZ John Langer Note: see his web site for details).

8. VIEWPORT VGA (An external interface color system that connects to a IBM computer through the Parallel port. will also run with JV-FAX and HI-SCAN software. By KA2PYJ available as a Kit or assembled from A&A Engineering).

9. MFJ-1278 (Hardware TNC multie mode system, modifications available from VE3ESZ to run JV-FAX software).

10. HAM COM (Simple interface software for RTTY and CW Note: this hardware circuit will also run several of the SSTV software programs).

11. W95SSTV ( New color SSTV system runs with 32 bit Windows 95 and a sound card interface system By N7CXI).

12. Win Pix Pro (color SSTV system runs with Win 3.x and 95 sound card interface system).

13. Hi-Scan (Dual screen color sstv program for simple interface and also available with keyboard and mouse version for View Port VGA hardware by OZ2LW).

14. BLASTER SSTV (color and Black and white SSTV systems for the sound blaster interface. by WB9MMM Gene Harlan runs in Dos 3.3 or higher on a IBM 386 or faster with 640k of Memory and a harddrive with a VGA monitor capable of 640X480 and 256 colors)..

15. EZSSTV (simple interface demo software with receive only that can run with a single 741 op-amp and one resistor and one capacitor and a serial port plug ,similar to the Pasokon program by WB2OSZ John Langer).

16. WINSCAN SSTV (New windows progam by KB1HJ Wayn Donnelly)

17. FTV (Dos sound card sstv by 9H1JS Brian Cauchi)

18. Chroma PIX   (A sound card 32 bit Windows system by N7CXI and  VE3EC  with lot's of features)

19. JVCOMM32  (One of the newer sound card Windows SSTV systems much improved over the old Dos JVFAX.

             The preceding list of SSTV systems may not be complete list of all that is available it however should give the newcomer some idea of what to look for in a computer assisted SSTV system.
 
WHAT IS THE BEST SSTV SYSTEM?
         One common question I get from the prospactive SSTV operators is which is the best system, this is not an easy question to answer as price, performance, functions and features must be considered and as these software systems seem to be in frequent upgrades. This can depend on the speed and available memory and operating system used by the computer along with the video card type and its available memory.
           With a HI-Color VESA VGA Video card with one Meg. of memory it will generally provide excellent pictures with 640x480. Higher resolution may take two or more Meg of memory for some systems. With some older video cards it may require the installation of a software Vesa driver. (to locate a driver try the web or the Mfg.or perhaps locate a universal type driver like "univbe").
           Note:The sstv hardware video,memory etc. operating requirements should be checked with each of the previously listed systems as they may change with system upgrades.
       As some of these SSTV programs are easy to get up and running I suggest if a difficulty is encountered when trying to install and configure a particular programs setup you could try a different program or ask for on the air help with a request of someone to QSY off the popular SSTV frequencies that is familiar with your particular program.
        As not all SSTV programs save and store there graphic files in the same file format,(a program may save pictures with an extension like Pix, Tga or Bmp etc.) And as these SSTV graphic files are large. You may wish to compress your graphic files for a history storage to a Jpg or Gif type format like those nice DX pictures that you wish to keep with a reduced storage space on the hard or floppy or CD drive's. Several paint and special graphic file conversion programs will do these graphic file conversions. Several of the newer SSTV programs save and run in JPG compressed file format one which also can be used with computer E-Mail and even video phone white board graphic file transfer on the web as well.

Computer 101 or Learning how to run the durn Things
          If you've not had very much experience with an IBM computer it may be necessary to read the "DOS for Dummies" and "Windows for Dummies" books or perhaps attend a night course at a local college or trade school to learn the finer points of using the IBM computer and it's various software functions and many mysteries and strange error messages that you may get on screen. (how many wrong ways can you insert a floppy disk in the drive?) Figuring out the IO and interupt addresses and port number information even with a plug and play computer can be a little confusing.
       Note: IBM computer Nerds like to use lots of funny terms like Default, Port and Append etc.You will probably be more likely to use words like Crash or lockup and then Reboot a lot ! The IBM computer can be intimidating or even insulting and is even subject to catching a Virus, it can however do lot's of really slick things after you learn to master it!

Dedicated Scan Converters SSTV Systems
      The following information is only included to show some of the various methods of operation and types of equipment in use.
Some SSTV systems require the use of a IBM computer, there are several stand alone systems that operate with out a computer and only require the input of a Composite or S-Video and can display on a TV monitor and send the video output to your transmitter audio input. These systems can also work in conjunction with a computer for additional storage and various useful graphic functions and features. (you just simply plug in a video camera a tv and your rig and start operating)

                                        The following is a list of four of these stand alone types of systems.

1. ROBOT 1200C (introduced in 1984 an excellent stand alone scan converter color system. When modified can operate in Amiga AVT, Martin and Scottie modes as well as Robot modes of transmission. This unit is out of production but may be available as a clone or a used unit.

2. TASCO TCS 70 U ( Stand alone scan converter color SSTV system,excellent fast (1/60 sec) capture of 350x240 24 BIT 16M color images. with Modes of M1&M2 S1&S2 36&72 Robot plus AVT 90&94 with a serial computer interface,infra red hand held remote control and optional 2 page memory. This 6in.x6in. x 1in. is truly portable for home or car.

3. HANDBUCH SC-2 SSTV/FAX-CONVERTER (From Wraase Elektronik, Commercial built German scan converters designed by Volker Wraase DL2RZ, the earlier SC-1 units contained the first line sequential single frame color (GBR). The SC-2 includes the Martin modes and can be equipped with a keyboard for adding graphics.

4. VC-H1  Kenwood Hand held SSTV system that operates as a battery portable with a hand held VHF transciver or can be used when connected to a HF transciever. Has a TFT screen and has NTSC output for large screen viewing and operates fixed on a power cube.Can store 10 pictures with it's  memory and take pictures with it's camera or accecpt a digital cam input.

Which Way Do I Go?
        As you can tell there are a lot of choices as to the selection of which SSTV system to start out with. Most of the operators try a system that is advertised and available then as they acquire experience try one or more of the various systems and as several of these simple interface and sound programs are in a shareware or Beta version (usually a program with out all of the bells and whistles with limited SSTV modes etc.) I will add that these systems all work very well but as most Hams like to stay on the cutting edge of this new rapid developing technology they will generally obtain the latest registered upgrades of these programs and hardware. This also incourages the programers to develop and improve this wonderful software.

How Do We Make a SSTV Picture ?
          There are lots of ways to make a picture to send by SSTV the simplest method is to simply receive one and re-send or play it back with the same SSTV program. The following methods can be used with most of the systems that use computers to create and store pictures.

1. Digital Cameras (there are some for less than $200 on the market now).

2. Hand and Flatbed Color Scanners (several are available for under $200).

3. Video Digitizers (several frame grabbers that plug in to the printer port or a ISA or PCI and USB computer port or slot that use S-or Composite video from a camcorder or VCR etc. Like the Snappy,Computer Eyes,Ventek,Video Logic Captivator etc. Some types can even save a single frame or full motion video and will also run web video phone and operate cable ready commercial TV and FM radio receive etc).

4. Compact Disk (Commercial CD disks have graphic pictures stored in various file formats that can be down loaded to the hard drive or sent to the SSTV program).

5. Floppy Disk (commercial graphic photos including Clip Art ).

6. Paint Programs (pictures can be made and saved or modified using the various functions like
text,spray,lines,clone,stamp,brush, cut&paste,screen grab, file conversion and even sent to a color Ink printer.etc. with say Paint Shop Pro as an example.

7. Screen Grab (several paint programs and specialized screen grab software programs permit the full or a portion of the computer screen to be saved as a graphic file that can be used with the SSTV program.(Note: the "Print Screen" key will save the monitor screen to the "Clip Board" function in Paint Shop Pro.in Win98).

8. Commercial Television and VCR tapes (with a digitizer a single frame can be saved to the hard drive or disk and made available to the SSTV program.

9. Digitized Still Film Photos (Several companies will process film and return prints and digized pictures by floppy disk or by Modem and supply viewing and graphic file conversion software).

10. Internet/Web (Numerous pictures can be found at sites using a search engine and then down loaded with a browser to a selected location.,they are usually found in the JPG and GIF compressed file format on the web).

11.Video Color Camera or Camcorder (with its S-or Composit output connected to a digitizer or a stand alone sstv system playing an internal tape or live.
.

What Type of Pictures Should you send
Any thing that is not in bad taste or offensive that you find interesting or that you can make amusing should be just fine, Mug and Rig and Antenna and QTH shots, Family and kids are always popular. (Most Hams like to see who or what is at the other end. Stock commercial photos are not as popular but can be modified with paint programs and made entertaining. I find that a large imagination helps.

On the Air Operating Suggestions
As most of the sstv activity in this low part of the sun spot cycle is on 20 meters and usually found at 14.230 and 14.233 before transmitting a CQ type video graphic picture it is desirable to use a voice transmission first giving the SSTV mode to be used and your call sign. If the receiving stations fails to auto detect the VIS mode decoding and sync information due to noise or interference they may not see your picture at all. (There are more than 27 different sstv modes that can be used at present the most popular is generally Scottie1 and Martin1).Not all systems run all the modes! Try to have your pictures cued up or in thumb nails when you call in to send video to minimize delays by looking for particular frames to send as stations are standing by. Try to avoid a voice filibuster on the popular sstv frequencies and take turns on these sometimes over crowded spots.

The following is a list of the popular SSTV operating frequencies.
14,230 khz 14,233 khz 21,340 khz 7,171 khz 3,845 khz 1,840-1,850 khz 28,680 khz 144 mhz /local Rptrs.

LETS GET THIS STUFF STRAIGHT

SSTV Clock Timing Adjustment

The simple interface IBM sstv systems usual require some form of clock timing do to the fact all computers do not run at the same speed. One popular program JV-FAX did not clearly explain how to properly set timing and systems that use an crysal timing reference like the Robot will receive a picture with a slant unless the correct timing values have ben installed. To fix this problem you can use the following procedure.

The JV-FAX 7.0 will permit a picture to be received in SSTV mode with the vertical sync set to normal and the horizontal set to one of three ways.

1. AUTO FREE RUN 2. FREE RUN 3. NORMAL

These are selected or set in the SSTV screen mode by pressing the "H" key on the keyboard.

1. First receive a SSTV or a WEFAX picture with the system in FREE RUN (the picture must come from a correctly timed station like a ROBOT 1200 )The Picture will scan down the screen with a slope or sawtooth slant.

2. Mark the side of the computer monitor picture with a piece of tape to record the slant or slope.

3. Press the "F" key to enter the Fax screen setup from the SSTV mode screen.

4. Press the "M" key to permit selection of the fax mode choice screen.

5. Press the up or down arrow keys to select and hi-light item 1. WEFAX 288 or WEFAX 576 and press enter.

6. With the program in wefax 288 or 567 mode press the forward slash key "/" (same as as the "?" key ) a vertical white line will display on the screen.

7. Rotate this vertical white line right or left with the arrow keys (see screen for details ) until the white line has the same slant or slope as the SSTV of Fax picture that was received in free run and marked with the tape on the monitor screen reference.

8. Press the enter key to save this timing correction to the JV-FAX program.

9. Press the "S" key to return to the SSTV mode.

Note: All the Fax and SSTV modes will send and receive now with the proper horizontal line frequency!

The JV-FAX change configuration screen will now have correct clock timer frequency number (make a record of this number for a reference) .

It should be pointed out the JV-FAX system can send and receive SSTV pictures that do not have the correct horizontal line frequency and some SSTV systems can receive a proper display with out a slope or slant by the choice of sync type selection. With the proper horizontal clock timing set the system will now send and receive all modes including Robot,Scotty,Martin correctly.

VGA/SUPER VGA HI-COLOR AND TRUE COLOR VIDEO CARDS
      There are lots of different types of IBM video cards and set ups, some older systems have the video circuit on the mother board some have combination I/O and video circuit and some have ISA or PCI or AGP video cards in slots. some older cards had to have a software visa driver installed.
            Generally to obtain a high quality picture with more than 256 colors a HI-Color (32,768 colors or more) is required. Some systems even require a True-Color video system (16 million colors) to be installed.One system requires the computer to have a coprocesser for even a sstv system to operate. Generally one Meg of video memory is satisfactory for a 640x480 resolution. Higher resolution and True- colors will take more memory. Not much improvement is seen after the number of colors is increased above a few thousand. The older CGA 16 color monitor is not too usefull, pictures can however be viewed in Black and white just like in the old commercial TV days.
          Ok so you like them Pictures big and in color, you can use one of the PC to TV converter box's and get way back to see your computer screen on the TV set.
          Most 386 and faster computers can be up graded with a video card change to a hi-color type .The newer computers running windows 95/98 may already be satisfactory with there fast visa local bus or PCI and AGP  video setups.

Putting Text and Graphics on the SSTV Pictures
        Most of the SSTV programs have a text function that lets you place" type" to add information or comments on your pictures. However most are limited in the choice of FONTS , colors and functions or are just plain Jane. As it is very easy to place fancy colored fonts on you pictures before you send them using several of the DOS and Windows Paint programs with nearly an unlimited font selection. There are also programs for 3D lettering and programs like Type Twister etc. for this purpose.
No IBM computer just an Apple or Mac
      I suggest when you upgrade you change to a IBM or obtain one of the stand alone sstv systems. There was a color SSTV system for Commodore Amiga computers that used the AVT mode and was a hardware type interface.We now have a new SSTV system for the Mac. available by Black Cat Systems at 4708 Trail Court Westminister MD. 21158

Problems Encountered With Interface Connections
     Some problems may be encountered with RF getting in to the SSTV Audio used to drive the rig or ground loops or hum in the video signal with the simple interface and sound card systems. It may be necessary to use a small audio isloation transformer or change the grounding to eliminate these problems. There are usually two methods in use for the simple interface connections . The computer serial port and the computer speaker connection usually used in conjuction with a simple audio filter circuit. Note: If you're using the PC speaker connection be sure to use some DC isolation as the speaker has the computer supply voltage present and a short can damage the computer. Some Manufactures types of serial ports cards do not work well and the internal PC speaker is usually the preferred connection method.
      With sound card operation (Sound blaster type interface programs) only simple shielded cable with plugs for receiver audio output and input is usually necessary,the rig drive in and out audio levels however will have to be correctly adjusted.We now also have some commerical hardware interface setups and several simple Interface setups that  can be found on the web to provide push to talk and  hum.isolation.
       Driving the transceiver can be accomplished in several ways some Xmitter brands can use the mike input or the phone patch-in or a DIN jack connection. Keying the rig is done with some interface units using a transistor or two circuit or a switch in the push to talk circuit usually. Receive audio is usually obtained from the speaker output or a DIN plug to drive the interface for sstv receive.

SSTV POWER and DRIVE LEVELS
       As SSTV has a high average power level unlike SSB voice. Most solid state transceivers will have to be run at reduced power levels and also Linear Amplifiers so as not to over heat and damage. The time required to send a single frame is usually a minute or more depending on the SSTV mode. Usually the audio voice and video picture is maintained at the same relative power levels.

Wearing Lots of Hats
      One thing that is nice with SSTV is you get involved with lots of different things. You are the Chief Engineer, Camera Man, Actor, Sound Man, Graphics,Staff Artist,Script Writer, Wardrobe, Program Director,General Manager.Lghting Director, Electrican,Grip, Station Owner and perhaps even an International TV star with friends you can see and visit from all over the world. And now I ask is this slick or what?

SSTV LOCATIONS ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB INTER-NET
The following information is provided to SSTV Ham web sites with down loads and links to more sites so surf up a storm to some very nice web pages.This list is by noway complete but should start you out on your quest for information on this fun part of Amateur Radio. Note: a computer search for my call "W5NOO" canl provide more than 60 SSTV web Pages

1. W5NOO- http://www.junct.com/ramon (my humble sstv page)

2. W4MWG- http://www.mindspring.com/~sstv (the IVCA page by Frank Lombard)

3. NL7J - http://www.alaska.net/~buchholz

4. KR7A - http://www.accessone.com/~ericw/

5 WB2OSZ- http://www.ultranet.com/~sstv ( SSTV Hand Book by John Langer)

6. VE3RDN - http://www.kent.net/ve3rdn

7. WB4EJC - http://www.icanect.net/~rlehman

8. W2PQC -http://www.tripod.com/~pqc

9. KA1LPA -http://www.mindport.net/~jame

10.N9NGF -http://www.tima.com/~jjones

11.WB9MMM-http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/sstv/

12.N7CXI -http://www.wolfe.net/~jlbarber/sstv.htm

13.KB4YZ -http://www.intersource.com/~djones

14.G0ITP -http://www.nwnet.co.uk/dexter/sstv2.html

15.WB4HCV-http://members.gnn.com/JThomas310/jimt.htm

16.BV1AL -http://www.isite.net.tw/bvlal/e-index.htm

17.VE3SSV -http://www.cdx.net/ssv/sstv.htm

18.PA3BVM-http://www.publishnet.nl/~hoogzand/

19.W0TUP -http://parshall.ndak.net/~anrestel/w0tup.htm

20.HB9HEX -http://www.gocities.com/siliconvalley/park/9501/hb9hfx.htm

SSTV REFERENCE INFORMATION
       The Web has the most current information on the new systems and software however included is a few articles that may be of interest to some one just starting out.

1.VESTER SSTV SYSTEM (By Ben Vester K3BC QST Jan. 94 One of the first soft ware sstv systems using gw-basic programing.

2. SLOW SCAN TV (By John Langer WB2OSZ QST Jan. 93 General information and the Pasokon TV system).

3. EQUIPMENT BUYERS GUIDE (CQ 1994 General sstv information).

4. FAX 480 (By Ralph Taggart WB8DQT QST Feb. 93 High resolution 480 line Black and white fax "A new standard for amateur radio analog Facsimile"

5. DIGITIZERS (73 Mag. Aug. 92 Frame grab devices)

6. PACKET USERS NOTEBOOK (CQ Feb. 96 SSTV is digital too)

7. SLOW SCAN TELEVISION EXPLAINED (By G6IQM Mike Wooding British Amateur Television Club ISBN 0-9513779-3-0

8. SOFTWARE SYSTEMS (Commercial SSTV System CQ Jan. 93 )

9. TASCO TSC-70U Slow-scan TV System ( QST April 97)

10. TIGERTRONICS Bay Pac BP-2M Multie Modem,hardware (QST April 97)

No time or do not wish to construct an simple SSTV interface
       If you don't have soldering iron or a Radio Shack nearby your QTH you could obtain a commerical interface unit from Tigertronics. Their BP-2M will run SSTV packet,fax,cw and amtor this little inexpensive device that plugs in the serial port.
(see details in QST magazine April 97 or check the Tigertronics web site at Http://www.tigertronics.com for Info and software program down-loads). I have not run this device but as I have received excellent pictures using a single resistor,capacitor,and a 741 op-amp wired and assembled inside the shell of a 25 pin com or serial port plug I should not be really suprised.

LOCAL RADIO CLUB ACTIVIES
       I have been told there are radio clubs in various cities that have made a club project of assembling the simple interface units and using them on their local VHF repeaters. (this is a excellent inexpensive program for beginers and complements packet and computer digital programs popular with younger Amateurs.

THAT FIRST RECEIVED SSTV COLOR PICTURE
       I'm sure you will remember your first QSO, as I do when I nearly pulled the knob off the hand key with excitement. Nowadays when I send the first color picture to a new operator and get the comments or ooh's and aah's as it scans down their screen and afterwards they usually describe what they received. I can remember my first SSTV picture received of an American flag with reversed video (black stars on a white field,due to a diode installed backward) on that old Mc Donald monitor and I made comments like "wow" and "come look honey this thing really works"!

THE FUTURE USE OF SLOW SCAN TELEVISION
         As this technology continues to improve I can see more popularity and useage even outside of Amateur Radio sector.(or if you liked the pictures sent back from the first moon landing you will probably love to see more commercial sstv as well).
        One type of application I have suggested to the law enforcement agencies locally as they are now installing video security cameras in there patrol cars, is the addition of an sstv system that could send crime or suspect pictures in real time to their local police radio base stations to be viewed and easly stored or re-sent as a APB by radio or over phone lines. The local TV stations are sending remote location weather photos by mobile cellular phone at present in Oklahoma. The military is also into battle field video and digital computer techology.
         Digital compression techniques similar to the ones used with Video Phone may not be practical at present due to Ham radio HF band width limits however I once read a book years ago that told single side band was not practical at frequencies above 15 meters as I remember. I was also once told by engineers that transistors would not be practical in a mobile applications due to the wide temperature variations encountered.
          I hope you find this information usefull and we all can see you up and running soon in glorious color.
Some folks may never get the big picture, I however sure think it worth a try, remember Television without a picture is just Radio.

Ramon L Glidden W5NOO

1125 N, Adair                                  E-Mail = ray@junct.com

Vinita Oklahoma

74301