SSTV – Slow Scan Television

Click here to visit my original SSTV webpage!

I started in Slow Scan TV (or SSTV) in 1995. I began by using a shortwave radio and a Commodore 64 computer to decode the images.

My first ever SSTV RX image! de W5NOO July 24, 1995
My first ever SSTV RX image! de W5NOO July 24, 1995

As can be seen elsewhere on this site, I’ve been very active in SSTV for many years. I operate a Live 24/7 SSTV Cam that copies images on 14.230 during the day, and on 7.171 in the evenings. I also have a cam on 14.233 for EasyPal digital image reception. My Worldwide SSTV Cams can be viewed here.

Over the years I have gradually upgraded my abilities to include Amateur Satellite operations.

SSTV on the International Space Station

You heard that right! The International Space Station has Slow Scan equipment on board. Not only that! They transmit pictures on 145.8 mhz in the Amateur Radio 2 Meter Band. Slow Scan TV operations aboard the ISS are special occasions. Both the Russian and US astronauts participate.

NASA On The Air!

Received: February 10, 2019 @ 02:54 UTC

50th Anniversary of Apollo 8
NASA – Iconic Image of Earth Rise

Special thanks to Brad, KO6KL and AMSAT’s Clint Bradford (K6LCS) for sending me a heads up about this event. I set my satellite station to track the ISS exclusively, in an attempt to capture any images that could be heard. There were several good passes, and the images shown above are the best of the lot this time around. I have the San Bernardino mountains to my north. Once the satellite, or the ISS in this case, gets behind the mountains, the pass is over as there is no longer any reception.

The best source for Slow Scan TV information is the WA9TT SSTV Website run by Larry, in Appleton, Wisconsin.

I read somewhere that at least one of the newly lauched satellites will support SSTV once it’s educational mission has been fulfilled, and the satellite can be released for amateur use. Something to look forward to!

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