MAFNET_Hamradio_Image QSO (Slow Scan TV)

Image QSO (Slow Scan TV)

[The last renewal of this page: April 30, 2000]

1. Recommendation of SSTV

With the SSTV mode, we can exchange a color picture over the radio with DX stations in just a few minutes. This makes a ragchew more fun, and sometimes we forget about the time is passing by, as we feel as if we were chatting each other sitting on the couch in the same room. Nowadays, we can enjoy the SSTV without paying a lot of money as before. First of all,I recommend following softwares.

JV-FAX

If you have a video capture system in your computer such as scanner or digital camera. all you have to do is to assemble a simple interface circuit( will cost you about 10 bucks ), and get free software called "JV-FAX" writen by DK8JV. JVFAX was originaly designed for FAX, and you can get beautiful weather FAX. It also has a function of autosave as it monitors SSTV images. It's a DOS program, and runs very fast. You can use old P/Cs which you never can use for Windows95.(CPU486/20MHz /RAM 4MB is OK!) This software is recommendable for those who want to begin SSTV, and is also recommendable for monitoring system.

W95SSTV

If you have Windows95, this software will be the best choice. W95SSTV is a shareware, written by N7CXI and VE3EC. You need to pay US$50.00 for the registration, however, you can enjoy the trial version if you accept using only BMP files. It contains a painting tools being linked with the main software. Anyway, the software is for Windows95, therefore, you can run other related software at the same time to support your operations. You don't need any special interfaces to hook it up with your radios. All you need is a pair of shielded cable to get connections between AUX IN/OUT jacks on the soundboard of your computer and Microphon/Speaker jacks of your radio.

That's easy more than expected. and the pictures are beautiful more than expected. 14.227MHz, 14.230MHz, and 14.233MHz are where you have to go. I'm always monitoring on 7.033MHz, or 14.230MHz when I 'm in the shack, with a exclusive computer for this purpose running JV-FAX. Just monitoring all the time is also a lot of fun. When I make a QSO in this mode, I use the W95SSTV with my main computer. In this way, I can monitor my own transmission with the JV-FAX also.

2. Other SSTV Software

Name	O/S	Interface	Info./Download
ATFAX	DOS	Hamcomm style/Viewport VGA	atfax53.zip
ChromaPIX	Win95	Sound Card	ChromaPIX's Page
E Z SSTV	DOS	Hamcomm style	ezsstv.zip
FTV	DOS	Sound Card	ftv-demo.zip
GSH-PC (SAW Scan)	DOS	Hamcomm style	gshpc12.zip
HiRes	DOS	Robot 1200C or clone	N9AMR's Page
HiRes 32	DOS	Use with another SSTV program	N9AMR's Page
HiRes 70	DOS	Tasco TSC-70	N9AMR's Page
HiScan	DOS	ViewPort VGA	Hiscan's Page
JVFAX	DOS	Hamcomm style	jvfax71.zip
MSCAN	DOS	Hamcomm style	MSCAN's Page
Pasokon TV Classic	DOS	Original Interfaceboard	ezsstv.zip
Pasokon TV Lite	DOS	Hammcom style	ezsstv.zip
ProSkan	DOS	Hamcomm style	proskans.zip
Robot Helper	Win95	Robot1200C	rh314.exe
ROY1	Win95	Original interface.	Demo
SSTV for Sound Blaster	DOS	Sound Blaster	sstvbl.zip
VESTER	DOS	Hamcomm style	vester_m.zip
VE3ESZ	DOS	MFJ-1278	ve3esz.zip
WinPixPro	Win3.1/95	Sound Card	demo25.zip
W95SSTV	Win/95	Sound Card	W95SSTV Page
WinSkan	Win3.1/95	Sound Card	winskans.zip

3. Interface

A small equipment to interface between P/C and radio. Each software needs a different type of interface.

Sound Card

This type of interface has advantage as current P/Cs are sold with a sound card built-in, and you do not have to accept additional expenses.

Original Interface

You have to purchase an interface(board) exclusively designed for the software.

Hardware sold in the market.

You need additional expeses. Certain type of hardware such as TASCO TSC-70 has a video output terminal to connect to the TV set directly to realize monitoring without P/C, which is very conveniente for mobile operations.

Hamcomm Style

This type of interface is well used in many softwares, and its easy to built with just a little expense.