FM RDS generator on your PC

[westlife]

I don't have the necessary equipment (WinXP SP1 & 192 kHz sound card) to try this myself, but it looks pretty interesting. It also includes an MPX Stereo generator with composite clipping!

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.heinecke.nl/airomate2.html>http://www.heinecke.nl/airomate2.html</a>

Here's a simpler non-RDS version with only the MPX Stereo generator:

http://www.esslinger.de/rds/rdsdec.htm


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[Stick_Davis]

> I don't have the necessary equipment (WinXP SP1 & 192 kHz
> sound card) to try this myself, but it looks pretty
> interesting. It also includes an MPX Stereo generator with
> composite clipping!


Wait, does this mean you can send the RDS signal straight from the PC's soundcard through the board and then to the STL, etc.? Or does it have to go from the soundcard straight into the transmitter?

 

[tpt]

You would need to send the RDBS subcarrier signal directly into the exciter's SCA or multiplex port. Ideallly, this means the computer should be relatively close to the exciter.

Generally, it is recommended that the RDBS signal be locked to the 19 khz. pilot frtequency (57 khz = 3 X 19). Otherwise, this may cuase some problems with the decoders.

This is also true of the composite stereo signal. Some of the cheap "all-in-one" part 15 FM stereo transmitters do not have stable enough pilot to be reliably received in stereo.

 

[ironbear]

> You would need to send the RDBS subcarrier signal directly
> into the exciter's SCA or multiplex port. Ideallly, this
> means the computer should be relatively close to the
> exciter.
>
> Generally, it is recommended that the RDBS signal be locked
> to the 19 khz. pilot frtequency (57 khz = 3 X 19).
> Otherwise, this may cuase some problems with the decoders.
>
> This is also true of the composite stereo signal. Some of
> the cheap "all-in-one" part 15 FM stereo transmitters do
> not have stable enough pilot to be reliably received in
> stereo.

With relatively modest computer requirements, I'm going to give this a try.
One of the cards specified, an M-Audio Revolution 5.1, is about $65 (source: Froogle).

 

[kilowatt]

Re: FM RDS generator on your PC Question

Several palces including broadcast wharehouse and others are now saying the RDBS and Composite signal should eb combined and then sent to teh STL for transmission to the transmitter. This would allow both signals to be sent on one stl path.

Many completed units are selling for under $200. Which ones really work and which don't?

The low price has me looking for several folks who do not currently use RDBS.


> > I don't have the necessary equipment (WinXP SP1 & 192 kHz
> > sound card) to try this myself, but it looks pretty
> > interesting. It also includes an MPX Stereo generator
> with
> > composite clipping!
>
>
> Wait, does this mean you can send the RDS signal straight
> from the PC's soundcard through the board and then to the
> STL, etc.? Or does it have to go from the soundcard straight
> into the transmitter?
>

 

[am-fm]

> I don't have the necessary equipment (WinXP SP1 & 192 kHz
> sound card) to try this myself, but it looks pretty
> interesting. It also includes an MPX Stereo generator with
> composite clipping!
>
> http://www.heinecke.nl/airomate2.html
>
> Here's a simpler non-RDS version with only the MPX Stereo
> generator:
>
> http://www.heinecke.nl/stereocoder_en.html
>
> And if you can tap into your radio's MPX output, here is an
> RDS decoder for your PC:
>
> http://www.esslinger.de/rds/rdsdec.htm
>

What non Sound Blaster card could I buy that has a sample rate of 194 kbps?<P ID="signature">______________

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[tpt]

Re: FM RDS generator on your PC Question

Innovonics has a RBDS generator for around $300 (from distributors, around $500 list). Model 702.

Won't scroll song info, but if you have a format like I do (satellite classic rock) where that is irrelevant, would be a good unit to start with. Has all of the other RDS functions such as alternate frequency (think translators) format code, call letters, etc. Requires pilot from your stereo geni, then goes into the SCA input of the exciter.

 

[westlife]

> What non Sound Blaster card could I buy that has a sample
> rate of 194 kbps?

Actually that's 192 kHz, not "194 kbps"... and here is the list of recommended sound cards:

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.heinecke.nl/soundcards.html>http://www.heinecke.nl/soundcards.html</a>

Basically it looks like anything based upon the VIA Envy24HT chip sound work fine. Just avoid sound cards based upon the Envy24HT-S, though, because it only offers a 192 kHz sampling rate on its digital output, not its analog output (which is used to feed the FM transmitter).

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[am-fm]

> > What non Sound Blaster card could I buy that has a sample
> > rate of 194 kbps?
>
> Actually that's 192 kHz, not "194 kbps"... and here is the
> list of recommended sound cards:
>
> http://www.heinecke.nl/soundcards.html
>
> Basically it looks like anything based upon the VIA Envy24HT
> chip sound work fine. Just avoid sound cards based upon the
> Envy24HT-S, though, because it only offers a 192 kHz
> sampling rate on its digital output, not its analog output
> (which is used to feed the FM transmitter).
>

Thanks! I might have to use the SoundBlaster card due to avalability. Could I use a digital to analog converter to feed into the TX?

<P ID="signature">______________

AOL IM: wnjoldies or jamminoldies105
CBS-FM lives at http://67.83.115.5:8010
Oldies Board co-moderator</P>