A frame consists of 2 fields, and fields are transmitted at almost 60 times per second (NTSC field refresh frequency is 60/1.001 Hz).

An entire frame is therefore transmitted 30 times per second.

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NTSC color encoding is used with the System M television signal, which consists of 29.97 interlaced frames of video per second. Each frame is composed of two fields, each consisting of 262.5 scan lines, for a total of 525 scan lines.

483 scan lines make up the visible raster. The remainder (the vertical blanking interval) allow for vertical synchronization and retrace.

The NTSC selected 525 scan lines as a compromise between RCA's 441-scan line standard (already being used by RCA's NBC TV network) and Philco's and DuMont's desire to increase the number of scan lines to between 605 and 800.

Source: Wikipedia

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Fast-scan television systems have two modes: progressive and interlaced. In progressive systems, the frame is scanned out completely, line-by-line. In interlaced systems, the odd-numbered lines are scanned out in one field, then the even-numbered lines are scanned out in the next field. When these two fields are interlaced back together, they make a complete picture.

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This question seems to exist to see if you will confuse fast-scan (or "normal") TV with slow-scan TV.

The easiest way to remember the answer is to remember that analog SSTV is pretty simple, so pick the simplest answer which is Color lines are sent sequentially.

From the Wikipedia page on SSTV:

A transmission consists of horizontal lines, scanned from left to right. The color components are sent separately one line after another. The color encoding and order of transmission can vary between modes. Most modes use an RGB color model; some modes are black-and-white, with only one channel being sent; other modes use a YC color model, which consists of luminance (Y) and chrominance (R–Y and B–Y). The modulating frequency changes between 1,500 and 2,300 Hz, corresponding to the intensity (brightness) of the color component. The modulation is analog, so even though the horizontal resolution is often defined as 256 or 320 pixels, they can be sampled using any rate. The image aspect ratio is conventionally 4:3. Lines usually end in a 1,200 Hz horizontal synchronization pulse of 5 milliseconds (after all color components of the line have been sent); in some modes, the synchronization pulse lies in the middle of the line.

Hint: SS in SSTV ... SS in "sent sequentially"

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NTSC signals are amplitude modulated (AM) signals, but use a technique called vestigial sideband modulation. Vestigial sideband modulation is amplitude modulation in which one complete sideband and a portion of the other are transmitted. The reason that NTSC TV uses vestigial modulation is to conserve bandwidth. Even using this technique, an NTSC signal is 6 MHz wide. One advantage of using vestigial sideband for standard fast- scan TV transmissions is that vestigial sideband reduces bandwidth while allowing for simple video detector circuitry.

Hint: Only the correct answer has 2 "V"s in it "V"estigial and "V"ideo

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NTSC signals are amplitude modulated (AM) signals, but use a technique called vestigial sideband modulation. Vestigial sideband modulation is amplitude modulation in which one complete sideband and a portion of the other are transmitted. (E2B06) The reason that NTSC TV uses vestigial modulation is to conserve bandwidth. Even using this technique, an NTSC signal is 6 MHz wide. One advantage of using vestigial sideband for standard fast- scan TV transmissions is that vestigial sideband reduces bandwidth while allowing for simple video detector circuitry. (E2B05)

Hint: Vestigial means a small part or portion of something larger.

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The Chroma (color) signal is sent as a sub-carrier modulating the main brightness signal.

Trick to remember: Component that Carries Color is Chroma

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In the United States, the amateur 70cm band allocation is 420 to 450 MHz. It just so happens that US CATV frequencies for hyperband channels 57-61 (UU to YY) fall into this range.

Therefore, if you happen to have a CATV receiver, it is possible to connect it to an appropriate 70cm antenna instead of a CATV cable network and receive these amateur CATV transmissions over the air.

So Transmitting on channels shared with cable TV is the easiest way to fit fast-scan (regular video) TV transmissions into the amateur frequency allocations.

The other answers make no sense because: a satellite TV dish is made for a much higher microwave frequency and will not be helpful; transmitting on lowband VHF TV channel 2 (which is not really abandoned) is illegal with only an amateur license; and using USB modulation with a sound card lacks sufficient bandwidth for fast-scan TV (this is only used for SSTV).

More information is available here.

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Digital Radio Mondiale is one way to send and receive SSTV signals. No other hardware is needed, other than a receiver with SSB capability and a suitable computer, is needed to decode SSTV using Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM)

Hint- Three words to match DRM - "Doesn't Require More"

Hint 2: If the computer in question is "suitable," then it won't need any help besides the receiver with SSB capabilities.

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The tone frequency of an amateur slow-scan television signal encodes the brightness of the picture.

SSTV (Slow Scan Television) uses analog frequency modulation, in which every different value of brightness in the image gets a different audio frequency. In other words, the signal frequency shifts up or down to designate brighter or darker pixels, respectively.

Color is achieved by sending the brightness of each color component (usually red, green and blue) separately. This signal can be fed into an SSB transmitter, which in part modulates the carrier signal.

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Trick to remember: VIS CODE identifies MODE

From Wikipedia here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow-scan_television

A calibration header is sent before the image. It consists of a 300-millisecond leader tone at 1900 Hz, a 10 ms break at 1200 Hz, another 300-millisecond leader tone at 1900 Hz, followed by a digital VIS (vertical interval signaling) code, identifying the transmission mode used. The VIS consists of bits of 30 milliseconds in length. The code starts with a start bit at 1200 Hz, followed by 7 data bits (LSB first; 1100 Hz for 1, 1300 Hz for 0). An even parity bit follows, then a stop bit at 1200 Hz. For example, the bits corresponding to the decimal numbers 44 or 32 imply that the mode is Martin M1, whereas the number 60 represents Scottie S1.

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Although we are called “radio” amateurs, we can also send and receive television signals. There are several ways that amateurs communicate by television. Perhaps the two most popular ways are standard fast-scan television and slow-scan television (SSTV).

128 or 256 lines are commonly used in each frame on an amateur slow-scan color television picture. (E2B13) Specific tone frequencies signal SSTV receiving equipment to begin a new picture line (E2B15).

Source: Extra Class question of the day: Television practices: fast scan television standards and techniques; slow scan television standards and techniques

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