5th SSTVer's Tokyo Meeting

by Joe Hasegawa JJ3LCH

The 5th SSTVer's Tokyo Meeting was held in June with more than 130 SSTV freaks. There seemed to be no remarkable technical topic this time, but large attendance showed ever increasing interest on SSTV in this country.

Here is the summary of the meeting (based on the report by JA6OAC, since I myself was not able to join the meeting.)

First, the president of JASTA, JA1XVY made his opening speech. He introduced the message from W6FVV and expressed his gratitude for the warm friendship.

JA9JQC, Myohi-san

AT-1

He reported on the new version of one board scan converter AT-1. AT-1 is now ready for all SSTV modes and can record moving picture. Picture editing capability is almost completed, and he is now planing to incorporate the function of snatching SSTV pictures from the recorded moving picture. These new functions would be realised in "AT-2".

PIP (i.e. Picture In Picture)

He designed a pc-board with which you can handle 2 received pictures and 2 transmitting pictures on a single display. He has finished the circuit design and artwork, and now waiting for a certain IC.

JH3VSR, Yamada-san

Speeding up the Robot 1200C and its clones

He examined the possibility of speeding up Robot 1200C by replacing 8031 CPU with DS80C320 based on the idea of JH3KKI. He used independent clock for the timer IC 8254 so that the timing will not be affected by the new CPU.

Modification procedures are;

   Cut the pcb track between U71-11 and U64-9/15/16.
   Add a 74LS92 and connect its pin 1 to U63-19,
                                pin 8 to U64-9
                                pin 5 to +5V
                                pin 6,7,10,14 to GND

  The results of this modification:
   Saving a picture :  15 sec -> 10 sec
   Loading a picture:  10 sec ->  6 sec

Demonstration of very small scan converter TS94 with built-in 4" LCD

This is exactly the same one exhibited at Dayton, and attracted the attendants there.

The JA-mode system software for Robot 1200C and its clones

He conveyed the message from JR3RPO. Since the successful demonstration of JA-mode for TASCO scan converters by Nishimura-san(JO6NQO), the system software for Robot 1200C has been under experiment by JR3RPO. He confirmed that it worked fine. But it's not definite yet when the new eprom for JA-mode will be released.

JA2BWH/1, Sugisawa-san

He released the new version of the control soft "Image Porter Ver3.2" for Robot 1200C that works on Microsoft Windows.

New features

JA2HYD/7, Yamagoe-san

CONT-TSC Ver 3.1.2B

His control software for TASCO's scan converters is now available. CONT-TSC is developed from his famous CONT-1200 which has been the standard control software for Robot 1200C in Japan. He modified the program for TASCO scan converters, and it can now handle Japanese characters from this version. (This software is for NEC PC9801 and incompatible with IBM PCs.)

Speeding up the 1200C

He also reported his experiment on speeding up the Robot 1200C. What he did was substituting the CPU from 8031 to 80C31 and using double speed clock rate when saving and loading the video data. Circuit modification: Add 24MHz clock module, 74HC74, 74HC00 Switching clock rate is controled by his new CONT-1200(not released yet)
   
  Result:
   Loading picture  8.5 sec -> 4.5 sec
   Saving picture   12  sec -> 7   sec

JA6AP, Shimizu-san

He introduced MSCAN Ver 2.0 by PA3GYP, and released the Japanese manual.

JO6NQO(ex-JA6UHL), Nishimura-san

He explained several technical aspect of SSTV.

JA1FUY, Kawai-san, editor of "Mobile Ham" magazine

He voiced his experience on SSTV expedition in China. He had operated BT5MH, BY4ALC together with JF1GUQ and JA1CVF. He said that he had been always calling the DX station, and that instead of calling and calling, he wanted to play the role of being called by many stations on SSTV. This motivated him to launch the expeditions. :-) According to him, if you apply for the expedition to Chines goverment, you would be able to get the permission in about 3 months. Why don't you operate amateur radio sation in China?

KH6JDU, Soma-san

Dayton Hamvention report

He suggested that both in Japan and America, SSTVers are composed of relatively old people, and that it is crucial to demonstrate the capability of SSTV to younger generation to get them into this mode. He also encouraged the SSTV addicts there to join the Dayton Hamvention.

JA1AKA, Arakawa-san

JA1AKA is the editor of CQ magazine ATV column. He has been very active on mobile ATV, operating on various high mountain peaks, on airplanes, and even on a fire balloon. He revealed several knowhows like how to make a home-brew parabolic antenna which is convenient for such mobile activities.
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