SSTV Software

SSTV software provides the top level software need to make the computer act like dedicated SSTV hardware. The main difference is that computers do things serially, but very fast, whereas the dedicated SSTV hardware, unless also computerized, operates in parallel.

Software is not only designed for the particular type of computer it will be run on, but also the operating system that will be controlling it. You must know these parameters before ordering the software, or the application will not run.

The software may be delivered in several ways. A few years ago it used be provided on floppy disks. But recently the software is more graphically based and much larger, in fact too large to fit onto a single 1.44 MB floppy disk. Sometimes it can be arrange to occupy several floppy disks. More and more the software is provide on a CDROM which can hold up to 650 MB of programming.

Most SSTV software is not too extensive and is distributed through a connection to the Internet. It is usually internally crippled so that the user must purchase a numerical key to unlock all the features that the program offers.

Many hams do not appreciate the value of software. They measure its value by the cost of the medium upon which it is transmitted. My experience in project development is that the software effort is 3 times greater than the hardware development effort! The rigs and antennas that hams own often cost in excess of $5000, but they balk at paying $100 for quality software.

A good listing of the available SSTV software can be found at http://www.kiva.net/~djones