OnAirTV · Established
Decode ATSC with an SDR
OnAir receives ATSC. ATSC 8-VSB, 6 MHz channel (the DVB-only settings are off).
What ATSC is
ATSC 1.0 is the digital television standard of North America and South Korea (8VSB modulation, 6 MHz channels, MPEG-2 transport stream).
Frequencies and where it is used
North America, South Korea.
In OnAir the tuning shortcut is 8-VSB, North America; you can enter any frequency your radio reaches.
What OnAir shows for ATSC
Digital TV.
This is one of the established modes, used and tested on real broadcasts.
Which radio you need
Any radio that tunes this range works. An RTL-SDR covers roughly 24 MHz to 1.7 GHz, and every other radio in the radio guide reaches it too. Antenna height and a clear view of the transmitter matter most.
Questions about ATSC
Can I decode ATSC with an RTL-SDR?
Usually yes for narrowband signals, as an RTL-SDR tunes roughly 24 MHz to 1.7 GHz at up to about 2.4 Msps. Wide signals such as TV channels need a faster radio, and OnAir says next to the source what the selected radio can do.
Is it legal to receive ATSC?
Receiving free-to-air broadcasts is legal in most countries. OnAir cannot decode encrypted or scrambled services, and does not try to.
Can I try ATSC in OnAir without a radio?
Yes. Most modes include a built-in synthetic test signal, so you can open the screen and try the controls before you own a radio.
Try it without a radio
OnAir includes built-in synthetic test signals for most modes, so you can open this screen, see the layout and try the controls before you own a radio. The Tour button walks you through the app.