Will this USB Radio Work? - Page 2

aghazi · 10-10-2007, 04:10 PM

I don't understand. If you purchased from Brando then it should have shipped from Hong Kong not UK. Brando is based in Hong Kong.

We are having four holidays in couple of days. I hope I get it before that.

midiwall · 10-10-2007, 04:26 PM

Oh... {insert sound of pulling envelope from trash} you're right! Dang, I thought Brando was based in the UK. Then... you should have had it before me. SOON!

NiSlo · 10-10-2007, 05:54 PM

That's good news!

The best part is that the Brando version is US$20 (with the Good Australian dollar at the moment that's only Au$22) plus postage. To buy the silabs version from Braemac (Aus silabs distributor) it's around $65.00 posted.

jwrpalmer · 10-11-2007, 04:05 AM

good work finding this - ordered one!

SUVputer · 10-11-2007, 07:30 AM

ordered one as well! hope it'll be easy to hack the antenna without breaking the box...

aghazi · 10-11-2007, 08:05 AM

GOT IT!

I will install it and let you know how it performed.

midiwall · 10-11-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SUVputer

ordered one as well! hope it'll be easy to hack the antenna without breaking the box...

INCREDIBLY easy. There's a single screw on the case. Undo it and the antenna slides right out. Slip a screwdriver blade into the case through the hole where the antenna was, twist a slight bit and.. pop! the case comes open. It's not glued along the edges so you won't end up with the marring that usually happens when you crack open a case.

(click on pics for larger views)

aghazi · 10-11-2007, 09:48 AM

Working perfectly in Centrafuse. Reception is also good. Hardly no setup to perform.

oneteam · 10-11-2007, 11:18 AM

In the description I couldn´t see if the device support RDS/RBDS (Radio Text from FM Stations). Could someone be so kind and tell me whether this feature is available on this device or not. Thanks

veetid · 10-11-2007, 11:42 AM

what radio module are you using with this radio?

david

Ryan711 · 10-11-2007, 11:44 AM

^^ Yes I'd like to know as well

aghazi · 10-11-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by veetid

what radio module are you using with this radio?

david

Silabs

aghazi · 10-11-2007, 11:50 AM

Ok, reception is not good while in car. Looks like we have to attach car's main antenna to usb radio.

midiwall · 10-11-2007, 12:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by oneteam

In the description I couldn´t see if the device support RDS/RBDS (Radio Text from FM Stations). Could someone be so kind and tell me whether this feature is available on this device or not. Thanks

Okay, how would I know? Is that the "i" button in the CF radio module? I have it up and running here at my desk, so...

I'll run through the local stations and see if I can find anything. Anyone know of a directory of (US, Seattle) stations that shows if they're broadcasting? n/m... I found rbds.net.

hang on!

okay, according to rbds.net KISW/99.9 should be spitting RBDS. I have it tuned in the CF client, the signal is nice and strong and the "i" button is lit. I'm not seeing anything different on the display. Can someone confirm that this feature is working in general with CF 1.20?

midiwall · 10-11-2007, 01:07 PM

fwiw, the Silabs app isn't showing RDBS text either.

update... the chip in this device is marked "Silabs F321 ECNA15 06124". I can't find that on the Silabs site. Still looking.

update... the F321 is an MCU, so that's the USB handler and general brains. Still looking.

The first stop for the antenna signal is a chip marked 4700A09. I can't find a reference. There aren't any house markings on it so I can't ID a manufacturer. My guess is now that the FM receiver itself is NOT Silabs, but the MCU is loaded up with code to emulate the Silabs protocol. I'll keep trying to ID this chip.