Daniel E Conderman 
I’m KD9IQR, and I’m putting together something special for our area: Community Cable 57.
The idea is simple—an Amateur Television (ATV) station running on the 70 cm band, broadcasting analog video and audio right on CATV channel 57 (421.25 MHz video carrier). Anyone with a classic TV and a UHF antenna will be able to tune in and see what the ham community is up to.
This isn’t about just throwing a signal out there. The goal is a community service station, fully within FCC Part 97 rules—non-commercial, open, and built for public service, education, and a little bit of fun. Here’s the vision:
- Community Bulletin Board: Local events, club meetings, and announcements scrolling across the screen.
- Weather & Emergency Info: Live weather data and urgent alerts when they matter.
- Educational Content: Public domain reels, classic cartoons, and ham radio/tech programs.
- Live Demos: From time to time, I’ll flip the switch and go live from my shack to show amateur radio in action.
Why it Matters
This is a public service project. I’ve got the technical plan ready, but the gear to make it reliable, clean, and FCC-compliant isn’t cheap. Your support doesn’t just back me—it builds a resource for the community and puts amateur radio on the map in a way people can literally see.
What We Need
Here’s the cost breakdown to get Community Cable 57 on the air:
- Blonder Tongue AMCM-860D Modulator — core of the system. Converts video/audio to Channel 57. $500–$550
- UHF Linear Amp (10–15W) — pushes the signal out several miles. $100–$150
- Band-Pass Filter — keeps the signal clean and legal. $50–$60
- LMR-400 Coax (50 ft) — quality feed line, low loss. $100–$120
- NanoVNA — for tuning the antenna and system performance. $50–$75
- 12V Power Supply — stable juice for modulator/amp. $50–$100
- Misc. Hardware — connectors, cables, cooling fan, mounting. ~$50
Total Goal: $900–$1,100
I’m covering the content side myself—cameras, computer, and production gear. Your help goes directly to the broadcast backbone.
Even a small donation moves the needle. Together we can light up Community Cable 57 and show what ham radio can really do for a community.
73,
KD9IQR
