Tired of the blocky, JPEG-like resolution of digital television? Do you long for the days of RF modulation and regulated-yet-unregulated content? Do you simply have the desire to toss your converter box out the window and make use of those rabbit ear antennae that are just lying around? If so, then you might be interested in becoming a savior of analog television! This Instructable will show you how to create your own fully-fledged low-power analog television channel, with any video source(including your computer) as a source of content.
We created one that went live the minute analog tv went dead. We're still the only analog station in NYC, but please join us in making more!! Long live analog tv.
http://OMGimon.TV
We created one that went live the minute analog tv went dead. We're still the only analog station in NYC, but please join us in making more!! Long live analog tv.
http://OMGimon.TV
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Signing UpStep 1: Find A Free Channel.
The first step is to find a TV channel that isn't being used in your general vicinity. Although after the 2009 DTV transition in June a lot of "whitespace"(i.e. unused television bandwidth) became available, most of this whitespace is still legally dubious and many of these channels are still tied to the original owners via legal identity and copyright. However, because of this legal ambiguity a lot of free space is still up for the taking.
The best option for finding free space is the FCC's own search engine for these things:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_sear.htm
Simply type in the channel (try a range of 14 to 35) and your state, along with the type of broadcasts available. Try to avoid channels that correspond to channels in your area (i.e. CBS 2 in New York). While they might be free because of the DTV transition and broadcasting in a higher channel range, they are still virtually broadcasting through that channel and might also have dibs on it for visual identity's sake.
The best option for finding free space is the FCC's own search engine for these things:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_sear.htm
Simply type in the channel (try a range of 14 to 35) and your state, along with the type of broadcasts available. Try to avoid channels that correspond to channels in your area (i.e. CBS 2 in New York). While they might be free because of the DTV transition and broadcasting in a higher channel range, they are still virtually broadcasting through that channel and might also have dibs on it for visual identity's sake.
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I've been intending to do something like this for a while now. Planning on using a PC as a source, running through a VGA-to-composite converter, to a VCR to use as a modulator, through to an modified splitter to act as an RF amp, through to the antenna. I've got it all except the antenna, and haven't modified the splitter yet (I hate SMD components, it makes circuit bending so hard..).
Oh, and I'm in New Zealand too. We don't have much of a history of Pirate TV here. Hopefully I'll be a trendsetter.
Got an old antenna amp that works?
Got a good TV antenna on the roof?
Fine!
Hook the antenna amp so that its input is fed from the output on the VCR.
The VCR IS a transmitter.
The antenna amp amplifies VCR output and feeds that signal to the antenna on the roof.
The antenna on the roof is a tuned yagi beam antenna just as it sits.
Hook it all up.
Put tape of some movie in the VCR turn it on and play it.
Your on the air.
Point the antenna in the direction of a lot of other roof top antennas and, bingo, someone is going to receive your signal.
They come in 1 to 4 channel versions for home use and you can change your channels easy. They usually work on 14-69 off air or the cable range. Now the signal is low so you need to amp it up. You can start small and cheap and use a 20db cable/antenna amp then connect this to an antenna, either a TV antenna or something with better gain made for TV broadcasting. I did somthing like this for a workout room in a central building for a planned master community but for FM. The goal was to send the tv sound out for people exercising and wearing fm radios like they do in health clubs.
We had a rack mount high quality RF mod and a fm antenna (31" of bare wire connected to thecenter conductor of coax from the Mod.)
Problem was it had 4 feet of range. So I turned the gain output wide open, then sent this to a common 10db tv amp, then into a 15db tv amp, then a 20db amp. now thats some gain! Now finally the signal was strong all over the lower floor, no static. The suprise was as I drove away in the work van could receive the station up to two blocks away! and the antenna was in the lower level of the building!
I believe thre sucesses here was a little luck and the fact that that tv amps were of good enoght quality that the signal didn't cause the next one to clip its input or output. I think you can try the same with the TV RF mod to get some range around your neigborhood.
http://www.fcc.gov/guides/low-power-television-lptv-service
This is a description of the licensing required for transmitters by the FCC. I know most of you don't care but just in case there are some who do. You'll note that there is one category for very low powered stations for communities. Check it out before risking the 25,000 dollar fine/5 years or more in prison for operating without a license. Like I said earlier, I'm not into snitching on people .. but just know what you're getting into before doing it.
Personally, I do favor unlicensed operating in ONE case: extreme disaster and emergency scenarios. This is a case where ALL of the communications are down and the only way to get word out is to transmit (licensed or not!) on any radio you can get your hands on to let people know you're in danger ....
Right after Hurricane Katrina, a certain relief group here in New Orleans set up such a station. There were actually several pirate stations in operation, broadcasting such information as where to find food and water, medical care (there were street medics here before FEMA, etc. showed up ... I've been here since 10 DAYS after Katrina hit), and so on. So piracy DOES have it's place at times. What about Nazi Germany when they tried to take over the media? But as a general rule, I stay within the law!
It only takes one interference complaint for the FCC to bring their nice, professionally assembled equipment into an area and nail down the offender in a matter of minutes.
Hefty fines are no laughing matter. Jail time is no laughing matter.
Getting a Tech license here in the US is easy. You take a 35 question test and you can miss as many as 9. Look on the ARRL website (http://www.arrl.org) to find out if there are classes and/or testing near you.
You can also take practice tests at http://www.aa9pw.com.
If I can do it, how tough can it be? :)
I've seen the FCC at work twice, and they have some REALLY high tech equipment which makes ours look like it's out of the stone age ... so you pirates out there ... beware :) I don't "narc" on people ... unless it interferes with ham radio or emergency services but there are plenty of folks who will ...
Think outside the box, people.
Not saying that you shouldn't take the test...
Today's ham radio uses a lot of digital modes for talking, transmitting pictures and so on. It's definitely not your father's ham radio.
The tests aren't that difficult and help to keep the limited bandwidth clear of garbage chatter, interference and other annoyances.
Please, take the time to test. I don't know what the fines are like in the UK but I've seen fines of up to $25,000 levied here in the US and it's not a question of if they'll find you but when. Knowing UK TV licensing fees and the like, the BBC probably won't take kindly to unlicensed interference on their part of the radio spectrum.
Keep it legal, folks.