Dumb question of the day

[capitalgold]

Ok,
I've never fooled around with RDS equipment, so I have no idea how some of you are decoding these signals on your home computers...

What gear would I need to do the same? I like MS and all, but with an RDS encoder it seems much more rewarding (and easier to ID some of those pings!).

[Dave-OR]

Ok,
I've never fooled around with RDS equipment, so I have no idea how some of you are decoding these signals on your home computers...

What gear would I need to do the same? I like MS and all, but with an RDS encoder it seems much more rewarding (and easier to ID some of those pings!).

RDS isn't the be-all and end-all for Ms (I'd save that appelation for recording to the PC, without which I wouldn't have the patience!) There are only a few stations I've logged exclusively via RDS. But it really does help; especially in quickly identifying stations during an Es opening without needing to wait around for an ID.

My setup uses a modified Denon TU-1500RD (tuner with RDS), where the RDS circuitry has been tapped and fed to a serial line which runs into my PC. I use rdsdec from esslinger.de (free software) for decoding. Others use a separate piece of hardware - the Conrad RDS Manager - which can be fed either from the MPX output of your tuner (if it's available) or via an audio output. I tried he Conrad with an old Kenwood tuner with MPX output, and I didn't get near the sensitivity I do with running straight into the PC... but, ymmv. Conrads are often available on the German EBay site (rarely on the US site) for $100 or less.

I'll let others speak about the technical aspects of the connections; Bill Nollman modified my tuner and it works great - I always have rdsdec running.

I'm actually thinking about writing an article about rdsdec for a future VUD; there are some tips and tricks to decoding at times and all sorts of online resources to help you interpret the results.

Dave Williams
Redmond, OR

[Jim Thomas]

If you are looking for an RDS Decoder or are wanting to upgrade, I recently installed a KatRuud RDS-Monitor (from the Netherlands) in my computer. I've only tinkered with this decoder (via the Esslinger software) for a couple weeks, but in my estimation, this unit is quite a bit more sensitive than the Conrad. It triggers the Esslinger software super fast. It comes without a box, cabled, ready to hook to your PC. It is about half the space of the Conrad box. I mounted mine on the inside of the tower, at the top rear, in an empty cavity of the PC case. The user has to supply an MPX connection from the tuner and a 12VDC power supply.

If you want to know more, here's Rudolf Jongepier's website.... http://www.katruud.nl

I am already discovering locals/semi's with RDS, that I didn't think were using it.

[katruud]

Hey Jim,

Thank you for your nice comment on my product. :)

Best Regards,
KatRuud

www.katruud.nl

[Russ-PA]

I don't recall from your earlier comments, Jim, but does this take out from a tuner now using the Conrad at the same place ( meaning I could just plug it into the jack already on the tuner for this purpose ) ?

And the price again US ?

[Jim Thomas]

I don't recall from your earlier comments, Jim, but does this take out from a tuner now using the Conrad at the same place ( meaning I could just plug it into the jack already on the tuner for this purpose ) ?

And the price again US ?

It connects exactly the same as the Conrad. The only difference is the KatRuud RDS Decoder comes without a box (shell), so you have to be a bit creative and mount it inside of your PC and close enough to connect the serial cable. In my PC tower, there is a cavity behind the CD drives where I was able to mount it with a few screws and wasn't concerned about it coming into contact with any other component cables. Prior to mounting, I wrapped the board loosely with some thin cardboard to make sure it wouldn't come in contact with the PC metal case.

When I order mine, the cost converted from Euro's was $42 USD, which covered shipping.

[Russ-PA]

Thanks, Jim - good to know. Bill N. did the sensitivity chip mod on my Conrad, so I'm not sure how much improvement I'd see on the Kat_Ruud. There's almost certainly room in my old Dell.

So how do you view it ? Or does it simply feed the software ?

[Jim Thomas]

It does have a digital display, very similar to the Conrad. If you choose to use that display, then you will have to have a longer serial cable. The provided cable which is 'hard wired' to the unit is very short. Also, you would have to devise a way of mounting it so that you can view the digital display.

As for me, I never used the display on the Conrad, because I am equally interested in the PI code, as well as other information a station may be injecting into their RDS stream. I generally have the Esslinger software on and that is how I have noticed that the KatRuud unit is much more sensitive than the Conrad (and Bill Nollman did the mod on my Conrad also).

[Mike-CT]

If I were to use that unit, I'd be hooking it up to the multipath-out jack of my Sony-5130. Does the Katruud come with a cable with an RCA plug so I can do that. Also, what info shows on the display? Does the PI show?

I would not be using this unit with a computer.

[Jim Thomas]

If I were to use that unit, I'd be hooking it up to the multipath-out jack of my Sony-5130. Does the Katruud come with a cable with an RCA plug so I can do that. Also, what info shows on the display? Does the PI show?

I would not be using this unit with a computer.

The unit is designed, ready for an RCA plug. Regarding the unit displaying other information (besides the PS information), I believe it has a small push button to alternate between the other information. Don't hold me to that for the meantime, as the unit is inside the computer tower and at this moment, I'm not 100% certain about the switch. I'll try to check it soon.

I can imagine that if you're creative, one should also be able to install one in a car for a car stereo.

[katruud]

There is no switch on the board.

The unit is displaying:
-Time
-Default and Dynamic PS
-Radiotext and Messages
-Traffic Announcement (TA)
-Traffic PS

[Russ-PA]

Mike - sounds like the same stuff the Onkyo displays, everything other than PI. For any market other than DX'ers, the PI is useless. Because of the ability to add the sensitivity chip to the Conrad, the PI code has become important to us ( only ).

I understand Jim's use of it exclusively with the Esslinger software, and would probably do the same if/when I get that mod done. However, I am still baffled by why even though most times the software picks up the PI ahead of the Conrad, sometimes the reverse happens.

[fredn-mcsc]

1. Anybody know how the KatRuud RDS Decoder Chip stacks up against the Denon TU-1500RD Decoder Chip (Sensitivity wise)?
2. Also, does anybody know the specific connections needed to bring RDS data from the
Denon TU-1500RD circuitry to a serial port connector on a typical PC, rather than going
thru the RDS Manager?
3. How does the Esslinger RDS SW stack up against the RDSDX SW (sensitivity-wise)?

Fred Nordquist - Moncks Corner SC

[katruud]

If the output of the RDS decoder chip is in I2C format it's very easy to connect it to the serial port of any PC, but then you have to use the Esslinger software.