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The DATV-Express Projects

March 2023

We are still working on perfecting the VersaTune software. Progress is slow due to software engineering availability. The basic code is complete but there are many bugs that need refinement. The hardware is complete and 3 prototypes are available to de-bug the software but supply chain limitations prevent procuring production quantities of parts. Stay tuned as work is progressing. For those in the USA, I am going to demonstrate a working model at the Dayton, Ohio Hamvention on May 21 2023 in the ATV Forum.

June 2022

Versa Tune-Express Receiver Assembly

We are working on a new stand-alone DATV DVB-S/S2/S2X- DVB-T/T2 complete wired and tested receiver to replace the MiniTiouner. It will be a multichannel unit with open source software optimized for repeater operation at a very attractive price. Working prototype models for testing have been produced but because of supply chain limitations, sufficient parts are not available for production. The heart of the unit will be an included Raspberry Pi model 4B but that will not be available until next year. We are planning to showcase the unit at HamCation in Orlando, Florida next February if parts will become available. Stay tuned for up-to-date information.

September 2021

MiniTiouner-Express Receiver Assembly

As of September 2021, MiniTiouner sales have slowed to the point where is is not worthwhile to produce more assemblies so MiniTiouners are no longer available. We thank everyone for their support of our product in the past and hope you will stay with us in the future for there is more to come!

DATV-Express Transmitter Board

As of 9/27/2017 the DATV-Express Project depleted the inventory of DATV exciter boards but due to popular demand, in 2019 we decided to make another production run. The Analog Devices ADALM-PLUTO SDR Tx/Rx is available at a price of about US$160 and the mini-LimeSDR Tx/Rx from Lime-Micro is about US$170. However, the DATV-Express board produces a better and higher RF output signal and has a useful 1dB/step software controlled output attenuator to help match it to a power amplifier. We supply a complete installation and operation manual for the DATV-Express board. Also, support for the DATV-Express hardware will continue and the DATV-Express software will expand to support new hardware that becomes available. Thank you for your interest over these years.

DATV-Express Transmitter Software for Windows

The DATV-Express Transmitter software, currently v1.25LP14, has continued to expand to support new lower-cost SDR boards thanks to the effort of Charles G4GUO. The current hardware SDR boards that are supported are:

  1. the DATV-Express hardware Tx board
  2. the LimeSDR-mini Tx/Rx board from Lime Micro
  3. the LimeSDR-USB Tx/Rx board from Lime Micro
  4. the PLUTO-ADALM Tx/Rx board from Analog Devices
Block Diagram of DATV-Express DVB transmitter software for Windows ( v1.25LP11 ) supporting four different boards. A typical DVB-S2 set-up where the protocol encoding is performed inside FFMPEG
 
For more details check out the v1.25LP14 software NOTES on the DOWNLOADS page