Digital DVB-S ATV
Basic information about digital DVB-S ATV. We believe DVB-S is the best DATV choice for 23 cm and above. Our repeater has run DVB-S 24/7 since January 2004 — the first in the USA.
Read moreWelcome to the ATCO website
This version of the ATCO website can be easily accessed on a tablet or smart phone. There is no need to log in — we are not collecting dues — but everyone who registers and logs in will be sent a copy of the ATCO Newsletter, emailed four times per year in January, April, July, and October.
ATCO / DARA Wednesday 8 PM ZOOM ATV Net
We hold a combined ATCO / DARA ZOOM net each Wednesday night at 8 PM with the DARA group from the Dayton, Ohio area. Join us with video and audio using ZOOM on your computer. To join ZOOM for the first time, go to https://zoom.us/join, then download, install and run the program — ZOOM will start. If you've been here before, just click Join, enter meeting ID 967 091 8666 and password 191593. Join with video, or just audio if you don't have a camera. See you on Wednesday!
ATCO Overview
The ATCO Group, Inc., organized in 1980, is located in Columbus, Ohio USA. Our main purpose is to further the exchange of information and cooperation between our members, promote ATV knowledge and operating excellence, and conduct activities that advance the general interest and welfare of Amateur Television.
We operate a high-profile ATV/DATV repeater. Our digital DVB-S repeater output signal was the first one in the USA. All antennas sit 650 feet (198 m) above street level and within 50 cable feet (15 m) of the equipment.
Five ATV Outputs
- 423 MHz — DVB-T, 2 MHz b/w digital
- 427.25 MHz — VSB analog
- 1258 MHz — FM analog
- 1268 MHz — DVB-S, 3125 symbol rate digital
- 10.350 GHz — FM analog
Five ATV Inputs
- 439.0 MHz — DVB-T, 2 MHz b/w digital
- 439.25 MHz — analog
- 1288 MHz — FM analog
- 1288 MHz — DVB-S, 4167 symbol rate digital
- 10.250 GHz — FM analog
We conduct weekly "net" meetings on Wednesday at 8 PM to introduce newcomers, discuss ATV topics and announce news. The free ATCO Newsletter is published four times a year with local events, ATV news, construction articles, tips and techniques, meeting announcements and whatever else we find of ATV interest. Archived newsletters can be viewed on our home page at atco.tv.
ATV Repeater Summary
Below are the sequenced ID patterns displayed continuously on 423 MHz DVB-T (digital), 1268 MHz DVB-S (digital) and 10.350 GHz (analog) when the repeater is not in use. When it is in use, all five outputs simultaneously repeat the incoming video signal. See the full repeater details →
Digital ATV Resources
Digital DVB-S Details
A good explanation of DVB-S from Ken (W6HHC) and Robbie (KB6CJZ) in California, who are also working on DVB-S Amateur TV.
Read morePlanning a DATV Station
A good explanation of how to plan and build a Digital ATV station. There are plenty of decisions to make — this helps you navigate the maze.
Read moreSymbol Rates, FEC & RF Bandwidth
An article explaining a few Digital-ATV concepts that are typically not understood by hams and even analog ATVers, all central to a DVB-S signal.
Read moreDigital TV Definitions
Get an idea of the various commercial digital television formats in use today.
Read moreLinks to Other ATV Groups
An up-to-date listing of other ATV home pages and locations of interest to ATVers. Let us know of any new or interesting URLs not yet listed.
Read moreTelevision P-Level Illustrations
This chart illustrates the relative levels of P0 to P5 analog signals. (Digital comparisons are completely different — see the Digital DVB-S section.) Actual pictures were captured off the air through an attenuator to show how a signal appears on a monitor as it gets progressively stronger in 6 dB increments. P0 is a barely perceptible signal at the noise floor; P5 is a snow-free picture 30 dB stronger. View the illustrations →
The ATCO Newsletter
Our group publishes the ATCO newsletter four times a year — local events, late breaking ATV news, construction articles, tips and techniques. Each issue is 20+ advertisement-free pages of up-to-date information.
Read the Newsletter