Question about a Dark UHF channel in Boston...

[Bob Hale]

Yes channel 68 boxes were pretty simple I remember the audio came out of the
descrambler all they were doing at the time was sticking the audio on a 
subcarrier
similar to SAP mode which we all have built into our tv's. The video was 
sync supressed.
I still remember back when Radio-Electronics magazine came out with the 
article on how to build your own
descrambler. Like you mentioned the Channel 27 descramber was more elaborate 
it was based on the
Zenith SSAVI system. Just imagine how many old descamblers are probably 
sitting in people's closets or attic's.
 I wonder how many old single channel 68 or 27 antennas are still on the 
roof?

Bob N1WBD
Grafton,NH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob DeMattia" <bob.bosra@demattia.net>
To: "Boston Radio TV list" <boston-radio-interest@lists.BostonRadio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 5:02 PM
Subject: Re: Question about a Dark UHF channel in Boston...


> The channel 68 "scrambling" technique was very primitive and lead to
> rampant piracy
> (it cost about $20 in parts to build the descrambler).  The channel 27
> technique was
> more elaborate.
>
> Piracy may have been part of the problem, but widespread growth of cable 
> and the
> multiple premium services they offered was probably more of a blow.
>
> I was able to pick up the HBO microwave service from the Prudential in
> the mid 80's.
> I moved to the Baltimore area in 1984.  When  I came back two years
> later either my
> equipment was broken or it was gone.
>
> BTW Baltimore also had a subscription TV station, WNUV.  Those call 
> letters are
> still being used by that station today, though now it is a CW affiliate.
>
> -Bob


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