AM/FM tuner

**medcalf** · 03-05-2001, 11:37 PM

I have just begun designing a vehicle computer system for my minivan. I plan on using a 6.4" LCD. This will replace the head unit and a pocket below it. The problem is, how do I then listen to the radio?

I have found some TV tuners with FM, but not AM. I have found the Cadet card, but it is ISA, and I plan on using a laptop. What I really want is a USB or PC Card AM/FM tuner with either Mac or Linux drivers (since I haven't decided which to use, yet, either would be fine).
The first question I have is, are any such beasts available that I've just missed? The second is, if not, would anyone be interested in such a device? I've been thinking of having an engineer friend of mine lay out on breadboard an AM/FM/Shortwave tuner with a USB interface (and powered by the USB as well). Would this interest people? Would it interest people if it were done on a PCB (ie, professionally made)? At what price would it become interesting?
Thanks

-jeff

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Who wills an end must also will a means to that end. - George Will

**plaiming2** · 03-05-2001, 11:47 PM

I investigate this a while back and the answer is that computer create too much interface for AM, plus FM reception probably isn't that great with the cards. The answer is to get an external unit (scanner/radio) and somehow interface it via USB/serial/etc....
here is a link to help you get started in that direction. i am still in the early stages of my project so i haven't got to this stage yet.

http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/firstlook.../f981231a.html

Option to is to do some reasearch about the upcoming Satellite Radio being launched this summer and connect that receiver to your pc.

http://www.xmradio.com/have.asp

**medcalf** · 03-06-2001, 01:46 AM

Thanks for the links. The PCR-1000 does exactly what I want, and then some. It didn't take me long to find both Mac and Linux drivers, as well as the low-level detail I need to do my own interface.

------------------

Who wills an end must also will a means to that end. - George Will

**moxnix** · 03-06-2001, 11:15 AM

Hey back off I want to drool on it some also.
if I ever decide to replace my head unit completely with a computer that will be a very nice addition to it.

moxnix

**Sexor** · 03-06-2001, 02:56 PM

PCR1000 kicks ***

i got a unblock one.

**plaiming2** · 03-06-2001, 02:59 PM

what is an "unblocked" one?

**plaiming2** · 03-06-2001, 03:06 PM

also, how does the audio sound get played through the
PC? Does it have a line out or does the signal get transmitted
digitally to the software and the pc just plays it out the sound
card?

-paul

**moxnix** · 03-06-2001, 03:47 PM

I am going to guess the an unblock one is one of the older ones that with a little mod of the firmware (just done in software no sodering or anything like that) that are able to pickup the cell phone frequences.
It has a lineout here is an image of the back of it.

**plaiming2** · 03-06-2001, 03:57 PM

i think the pcr100 is enough for me, all i want it to
get AM/FM

**moxnix** · 03-06-2001, 04:13 PM

yeah but who said anything about about whan you want ? It is all a matter of what you can get ;-) humm I see that it is about $150 dollars difference between the 2 of them..... ohhh who knows what I will end up doing.

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