Greater participation is expected this year in the only global on-the-air gathering of digital Amateur Radio television (DATV) enthusiasts. The annual event, which originated in Australia and now is in its fourth year, begins Friday, August 29, at 1000 UTC in Australia and internationally on Saturday, August 30, at 0001 UTC. According to the event’s primary organizer, Peter Cossins, VK3BFG, to maximize the number of signals, stations should work through ATV repeaters where possible. Others may use Skype to reach a local anchor, if there is no other alternative, and then that signal will be sent on to a repeater.

International repeaters are WR8ATV in Columbus, Ohio, with Art Towslee, WA8RMC, a designer on the DATV-Express project; the W6ATN Amateur Television Network in Southern California, consisting of nine linked repeaters with Don Hill, KE6BXT, as the local anchor, and GB3HV, the Home Counties ATV Group, London.

All amateur television users are welcome to participate, either by arranging a suitable time with their nearest anchor, or by watching the proceedings through the repeaters or streaming via the British Amateur TV Club website. Many segments are of the show-and-tell variety, with ATVers in their shacks before the camera.

The Amateur Television Directory is a web-based resource. More information on the World DATV QSO Party is available from Peter Cossins, VK3BFG. — Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC