The digital amateur television VK3RTV on Mt Dandenong east of Melbourne is now operational with inputs on 1250MHz analogue, 10.41GHz analogue and now 1276MHz DVB-S.

A new antenna is being constructed to include downlink DVB-S on 1250MHz.

Repeater custodian Peter Cossins VK3BFG advises that DVB-S input is at a Symbol Rate of 5000 K which results in very good quality and no pixellation on fast moving objects.

The DVB-S input has again provided an improvement in system performance, with signals very close to 'closed circuit' quality.

VK3RTV operates on 446.5MHz with a multiplexed output providing VK3RTV1 and VK3RTV2. Each channel runs at 5.5 Mbits.

There are many Set Top Boxes with manual tune capability that will receive the signal. Contact Peter VK3BFG at pcossins@bigpond.com for a list.

A number of reception reports have been from radio amateurs using their standard TV antenna. If you are not well placed with respect to Mount Dandenong, then a good 70cm yagi will be required.

The Melbourne ATV liaison frequency is 147.400MHz FM simplex.

Peter VK3BFG says further future developments will include touch tone selected signal and quality reports which are available in the digital receiver's menu.

The existing DVD controller which drives an IR LED as a 'remote' Remote can be used for this purpose. The remote will bring up the video frame which will provide an accurate report from the receiver.

VK3RTV's single channel controller is now operational again with the Bendigo ATV Repeater VK3RBO.

The digitisation of VK3RTV was funded by Amateur Radio Victoria with aditional support of $1,000 from the WIA Club Grants Program, plus volunteer out of pocket and in-kind donations.