Kenwood: VC-H1 Visual Communicator

Visual Communicator VC-H1

Portable SSTV is here! Kenwood's VC-H1 represents a brand-new concept in visual communications that expands the scope and impact of amateur radio. This innovative product combines an image-scan converter, CCD camera and LCD monitor in a compact battery-operated unit. Simply hook it up to your Kenwood transceiver to start sending and receiving color images over the air.

Features at a glance:

	Portable SSTV unit
	1/4-inch, 270,000-pixel CCD camera
	360-degree rotatable and detachable camera head
	1.8-inch TFT color LCD monitor
	Up to 10-picture memory
	Built-in microphone and speaker
	Connect to a Kenwood handheld, mobile or HF transceiver with an optional cable
	Power supply: AA alkaline batteries (4)
	Computer connectivity with an optional connection kit* *PC connection kit (cable and software) is under development.

VC-H1 in detail:

Ideal for outdoor SSTV
Until now, for anyone interested in SSTV (slow-scan television), portability has not been an option. But thanks to component miniaturization the VC-H1 is not only small enough for handheld use but also runs off 4 AA batteries so you can take it anywhere. This makes it ideal for field days, special events, disaster communications and even fishing trips.

Full compatibility
The VC-H1 can be connected to any Kenwood transceiver with just a cable, and it offers full compatibility with all of the standard SSTV formats. Uploads/downloads are quick and easy; the images are also sharp and clear.

All-in-one design
In addition to the detachable 1/4-inch CCD camera, the VC-H1 features a 1.8-inch color TFT (thin film transistor) type display. As well as viewing incoming pictures, you can review your own prior to transmission. The built-in microphone & speaker can be used in place of a separate speaker-microphone for your transceiver.

Image memory
Up to 10 pictures can be stored in memory. This allows you to compare and pick the best shot to send. You can also store incoming pictures and protect them from unintentional deletion.

Computer connectivity
One of the great features of the VC-H1 is its ability to work with a personal computer. Hook it up to the RS-232C port on your laptop using the optional connection kit (Microsoft^(R) Windows^(R) 95 software compatible) and you can save pictures (in JPEG format) that you send and receive. You can then cut and paste using standard graphics software, or even superimpose your own text. What's more, you can actually control the VC-H1 from your computer.
*PC connection kit (cable and software) is under development.

Other Features:

Call sign superimpose

AF mute

Auto power-off

Dimensions (W x H x D)

62 x 30 x 160 mm (2-5/8 x 1-3/8 x 6-3/4 in.)

Manuals

Kenwood VCH1 Manual

Kenwood connectors Diagram

Kenwood VC-H1 Connections

Connectiong to a Kenwood HT
Connecting to Alinco DJ580T HT
Connecting to a PC Soundcard
Connecting the video input
Connecting to the video ouput
Using the camera alone

Connecting to a Kenwood HT

The VCH1 is basically a speaker/mic and the dataport cable will directly plug into most Kenwood HTs.

The 2.5mm (3/32") stereo plug is basically connected as follows:

TIP: Rx Audio Input - connects to VCH1 internal speaker
RING: Do Not Use
SLEEVE: Ground

The 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo plug is basically connected as follows:

TIP: Do Not Use
RING: TX Audio Out - connects to VCH1 internal microphone
SLEEVE: PTT Switch - connects to ground when PTT is pushed

Connecting to an Alinco DJ580T HT

Two adapter cables must be constructed:

<

DJ 580T - SP . Adapter Cable 1 . VCH1

3.5 mm (1/8") Stereo Plug .

2.5 mm (3/32") Stereo Jack

. . . . .

TIP: Rx Audio Output ---------------- ------------------ ------------------- TIP: Audio Input

RING: Do Not Use . . . RING: Do Not Use

SLEEVE: Ground ---------------- ------------------ ------------------- SLEEVE: Ground

. . . . .

DJ 580T - MIC
Adapter Cable 2
VCH1

2.5 mm (3/32") Stereo Plug . . . 3.5 mm (1/8") Stereo Jack

. . . . .

TIP: PTT & TX Audio Input ---------------- ------------------| . TIP: Do Not Use

RING: Do Not Use .
|------------------ RING: TX Audio Output

SLEEVE: Do Not Use .
|----/\/\/\/--------- SLEEVE: PTT

A 10K resistor connects PTT to TX Audio.

Connecting to a PC Soundcard

This allows transfer of pictures to a PC running a SSTV program such as MMSSTV.

Two adapter cables must be constructed:

<

PC - SP . Adapter Cable 1 . VCH1

3.5 mm (1/8") Stereo Plug .

2.5 mm (3/32") Stereo Jack

. . . . .

TIP: Do Not Use ---------------- ------------------ ------------------- TIP: Audio Input

RING: Left Out . . . RING: RX Audio

SLEEVE: Ground ---------------- ------------------- |------------------- SLEEVE: Ground

. . . | .

PC - MIC
Adapter Cable 2 | VCH1

3.5 mm (1/8") Stereo Plug . . | 3.5 mm (1/8") Stereo Jack

. . . | .

TIP: Do Not Use . . | TIP: Do Not Use

RING: Left In ---------------- ----------------- ------------------- RING: TX Audio Output

SLEEVE: Ground ---------------- ----------------- | SLEEVE: Do Not Use

Connect the two PC grounds together.

Connecting to the video input

NTSC video can be captured and viewed by the VCH1 by using the jack where the camera plugs in.

3.5 mm (1/8") stereo plug is connected as follows:

TIP: Do Not Use
RING: Video Input- connects to your NTSC video source
SLEEVE: Ground

Connecting to the video output

NTSC video can be output from the jack on the side of the VCH1 .

2.5 mm (3/32") mono plug is connected as follows:

TIP: Video Out - to monitor, VCR, etc.
SLEEVE: Ground

Using the camera alone

The color camera can be used alone without the VCH1.

3.5 mm (1/8") stereo jack is connected as follows:

TIP: Provide +5 volts DC
RING: Video Output- Live NTSC video
SLEEVE: Ground

What' is VC-H1

VC-H1 is SSTV equipment for amateur radio. SSTV means slow scan television. VC-H1 consists of scan converter by DSP and TFT color LCD and CCD camera. VC-H1 can operate by battery.

Main function

No	Function	Description
1	Camera monitor function	Images captured on CCD camera are monitored on LCD.
2	Image capture	Images from the camera are captured on the internal buffer as still images.
3	Imagedata transmission/reception	Captured images or images in memory are sent, or images are received automatically matched to the other party's transfer mode.
4	Image data memory function	JPEG-compliant, max. 10-frame memory, approx. 4 year backup
5	Memory hold function	Images that you do not want to delete are held in memory (protected).
6	Save function	If there is no operation for 30 seconds with SAVE ON, the LCD and camera power supplies are turned OFF.
7	Superimpose function	9-character messages, RSV10 characters and 8-character call signs can be entered.
8	AF ON/OFF function	The image data reception tone is muted at all times. However, it can be switched ON or OFF.
9	High-speed mode	Approx. 14-second high-speed transfer using packet communications 9600bps mode
10	Still image modulation method	SCFM method using digital signal processing
11	Still image demodulation method	Arc tangent angle change detection using digital signal processing
12	Compatible communication modes	Robot 36/72, Scotty S1/S2 compatible, AVT90/94 compatible, Martin M1/M2 compatible, FAST FM
13	LCD	1.8" TFT color 279 x 220 dots
14	CCD	270,000 pixels, effective number of pixels: 512 x 492, resolution: 300TV or more

General specification

Electrical voltage and range	4 alkali AAA batteries recommended, or 4 Nicd 1.2V 600mA/h External DC IN 6V
External video input	75Ω1Vp-p (140IRE) NTSC±15% sub-carrier frequency within ±200Hz, no DC offset
External video output	75Ω1Vp-p (140IRE) NTSC±15%
Still image signal input	SSDI terminal 50mVp-p to 4Vp-p Other than high-speed mode: Input band 1kHz to 2.4kHz High-speed mode: Input band 600Hz to 6.8kHz
Still image signal output	MIC terminal 50mVp-p, in high-speed mode: 1Vp-p, level cannot be varied
Image memory	175kbyte, non-compressed display buffer 1-frame JPEG-compliant compression memory: Max. 10 frames, backup: approx. 4 years
Expansion ports	COM terminal, communications speed 115kbps, RS-232C level, asynchronous 8 bit, parity NONE, STOP 1 bit, flow control OFF Conforming to TSC protocol
Transceiver interface	9600bps, CMOS output, RS-232C level input, minus logic I/O
Current consumption and battery life	Camera monitor: Max. 650mA, approx 1 hour LCD still image display: Max. 450mA, approx. 1.5 hours LCD display out: Max. 100mA, approx. 6 hours Note: These values are purely reference values
Temperature range	Operating: 0｡ to +40｡C, Storage: -20｡C to + 60｡C

　

VC-H1 Radio Interface Specifications

Pin No	Name	Function	Description
1	NC	Non connection
2	SSDO	Image data output	Approx. 50mVp-p. Normally, this is not used
3	6V	+6V output	Power voltage output from BATT or DC-IN
4	DG	Digital system earth	Used as earth during serial communications. Normally, connected to pin 16
5	TXD	Serial communications output	Connected to RXD of personal computer RS-232C port
6	RXD	Serial communications input	Connected to TXD of personal computer RS-232C port
7	SSPTT	Image data PTT	Connect to PTT of HT SP-MIC. In this case, short with pin 11. When connected to the data terminal of portable equipment, connect to terminal PKS. In this case, pin 11 is not used.
8	FSSDO	High-speed image data output	Approx. 2Vp-p output in the high-speed mode. When connected to other than HT, use this for image data output, and connect to data terminal PR9
9	SSDI	Image data input	When connecting to HT, short with pin 13, and input SP output of HT to here.
10	NC	Non connection
11	PTT	PTT	PTT output of VC-H1 when used as SP-MIC of HT. Low active. External pull-up is required
12	3MS	Mute power supply input	The power supply used for the mute circuit of VC-H1 is supplied from here. If this cannot be supplied from the radio, connect to pin 3. Also, connect to pin 3 if SP is not to be used as SP-MIC
13	SP	Audio input	Audio input when connected to HT. In this case, short with pin 9.
14	MIC	Modulation terminal	Microphone output built into VC-H1. When connected to HT, this is also used jointly as image data output, and is connected to the microphone input of HT.
15	MSP	Mobile audio input	Enter the EXT.SP output of portable equipment here if the audio of portable equipment is to be heard on VC-H1, that is, if MSP is to be used as the SP-MIC of portable equipment.
16	G	Ground	Earth of signal system. Normally, connect to pin 4.

Cable connection information

Cable information

Connection way for any other RADIOs

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