The $161.27 Dynamic RDS Project

Cameron · Post by **Cameron** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 8:53 am

Contracteng and I found a dynamic RDS/RBDS encoder system that's now on the air in Portsmouth for less than $170.00. I think with a little playing, and some automation tweaking, (providing their system will spit-out the right syntax), dynamic title/artist information can get on-the-air as well. Contracteng doesn't know this, but I found another software package for this unit that makes the configuration and control a little easier. If all of this comes together, I think the whole project for this particular station getting dynamic RDS/title/artist could come in at less than $300. (It would've stayed at $170.00 but they need a long-run from the automation computer and the encoder... cat5 + a ethernet to rs-232 converter).

Stations with their automation computers and stereo encoders co-located could get away with the $170.00 figure. (Again, provided the automation system met certain parameters).

I wonder how much Audomat-Aztec, Burk, and the like would pay to keep the details of this project out of Radio World?

sportsvoice · Post by **sportsvoice** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:34 am

PM me with the details...if I can get it to play nice with StationPlaylist I might be able to put this to good use.

Lester · Post by **Lester** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:52 am

Write up a how-to and we'll post it.

Include photos if necessary. (Email me and I'll upload them for linking.)

contracteng · Post by **contracteng** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 2:42 pm

Correction the price was $173 and a few odd cents including shipping. Price depends on the dollar to Euro exchange rate at the time you order.

www.pira.cz/rds/basicrds.htm

djMatty · Post by **djMatty** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 12:44 am

Who needs a pretty box with flashing lights that no one will look at anyways!

Arp2 · Post by **Arp2** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 12:47 am

djMatty wrote:Who needs a pretty box with flashing lights that no one will look at anyways!

<------ (raises hand....always wants flashing lights!

)

genlock · Post by **genlock** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 7:29 am

LEDS, Leds last longer.
I like flashing bright things.

AmpedNow · Post by **AmpedNow** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 3:24 am

Is RDS becoming standard equipment for FM these days?

It seems like a very underused technology.

Tom Taggart · Post by **Tom Taggart** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:57 am

Agreed, only two of us in PKB.

Also, found with my new Mercury that you have to turn on the RDS by paging through several layers of menus on the radio.

Do like it that it will pass though our translators.

Fred · Post by **Fred** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:24 am

Has anyone found software to make use of the old Terion encoders left stranded at many stations?

SPIKE NESMITH! · Post by **SPIKE NESMITH!** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:52 am

and what can we do with all the abandoned DG machines? Can we make them into big orange Pong machines??