Sonwatcher,
SSTV is as practical on VHF as it is on HF, just a different radio. FM tends to produce a 'better' picture than SSB does, just not as much interference/static etc.
Without a hard wired connection between PC and radio the picture quality goes down. The radio's mic picks up all the 'other' stuff it hears along with the sound from the speakers, sort of how sensitive the mic is, you know? But, it will work.
And, depending on the computer, PCs tend to be a bit more susceptible to RFI, the computer's speed is much closer to VHF than HF so something else to think about.
Isolation transformers and blocking capacitors in the 'data' and audio line help. (So does a 5 gallon bucket of torroids!) The keying circuits from the serial ports are NOT that difficult to build, or, just get one of the interfaces ('Rigblaster', etc.).
SSTV is fun. Especially if you like playing with graphics programs and so on. [Warning: Any pictures of yourself WILL be used against you! And that's half the fun of the whole thing.]
SSTV programs... The biggy now seems to be MMSSTV. That's cuz it's free. There are other, and better programs around (that 'better' depends on which you like the best). Those are 'analog' programs, there are also a couple of (real) 'digital' programs around such as 'HamPal'. They use error correcting procedures so a 'perfect' picture is more likely than the 'alalog' programs (also takes longer to send/receiver, requires more 'work' on your part).
Anyway, give it a shot. What's another 'addiction' or two, right?
- 'Doc
