DIY Digital Amateur Television Projects

Find schematics, guides, and resources for building your own Digital Amateur Television (DATV) equipment and systems.

David
Reviewed by • Senior RF Engineer & Technical Editor March 2026

Digital Amateur Television (DATV) allows hams to transmit video and audio, often in MPEG-2 format using DVB-S protocols, similar to commercial satellite TV. Operators experiment with DATV on various bands, from UHF to microwave, pushing the boundaries of amateur radio activity. Many hams enjoy the challenge of building their own equipment for transmitting and receiving video, making it a popular area for homebrew projects.

This category features resources for hams interested in DATV projects, from basic primers on the mode to advanced builds. Operators can find information on constructing directional antennas for bands like 1.2 GHz, and details on the HAMTV Digital Amateur Television transmitter on the International Space Station. There are also projects like the ADX - Arduino Digital Modes HF Transceiver, which, while not strictly DATV, shows the innovation in digital modes, and even historical projects like the Baycom modem for packet radio.

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