Raise antenna thru software (w/o radio)?

enigma9o7 · 09-03-2007, 05:08 PM

I need to find a way to raise the power antenna, preferably thru software. It works fine when I select the radio in streetdeck, but exiting the radio/streetdeck puts it back down. Is there a software/utility I can use to manually raise (and lower) the antenna thru windows (outside streetdeck)?

RedGTiVR6 · 09-03-2007, 05:52 PM

thread moved since this isn't G4 specific. You're more likely to get responses in here.

enigma9o7 · 09-03-2007, 05:55 PM

This is g4 specific, what are you talking about? It's the wire coming out of the g4 I want to control. Streetdeck can control this, so it's obviously possible thru software, but I dont know if the g4 came with a way to do this, or if I need to download something, or what.

RedGTiVR6 · 09-03-2007, 05:58 PM

what you are wanting to do is not specifc to the G4. if there is software avaliable out there, it will work on any powered antenna, not just the G4....there's nothing super special or propritary about the antenna output on the G4.

The people that might know of that kind of software would be more likely to browse htis forum than the G4 forum...

Marassa · 09-03-2007, 11:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by enigma9o7

I need to find a way to raise the power antenna, preferably thru software. It works fine when I select the radio in streetdeck, but exiting the radio/streetdeck puts it back down. Is there a software/utility I can use to manually raise (and lower) the antenna thru windows (outside streetdeck)?

Of course this is G4 specific. Read this thread.

_mxn_OpenRadio@0 function raises the antenna (among other things).

Marassa · 09-03-2007, 11:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

what you are wanting to do is not specifc to the G4. if there is software avaliable out there, it will work on any powered antenna, not just the G4....there's nothing super special or propritary about the antenna output on the G4.

Thanks, it's only 9AM but you already made my day

marci · 09-04-2007, 03:53 PM

uhh interesting... maybe when you know wich bit enable the 12V signal. Than i tink can program a little VB file. easyier is it, to make a little switch. automatic antenne cable needs only +12V to turn out. if you disconnect the +12V the antenna is turning in..

not the best way, but practicable. i have the same problem, i will use later an external TMC/RDS recceiver for the navigation, and they need the Antenna ;-)

well luck :-) let us know how you fixed that problem ;-)

BG

Marci

enigma9o7 · 09-04-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

there's nothing super special or propritary about the antenna output on the G4.

Normal computers don't have a wire/connector coming out of them that is used to raise/lower a power antenna like the g4 does. To me that's special or propritary. Unless the g4 uses some standard interface for carpcs or something, if so let me know the details and I'll try to find info from whoever makes that interface or whatever...

Quote: Originally Posted by Marassa

Of course this is G4 specific. Read this thread.

_mxn_OpenRadio@0 function raises the antenna (among other things).

Well based on that thread, I'm guessing it's not as easy as I hoped - I was thinking maybe there was already a program made that would do it (maybe even already on there), not that I'd have to learn how to write one! Only basic programming I've ever done was on an apple 2, did a little c++ under unix while I was in school, but certainly don't know anything about Windows programming or dlls or visual-anything.

marci · 09-05-2007, 12:56 AM

welcome :-) Those were the days. i remember back to Apple II+ with CP/M Card :-) That´s was the time where we young and where hackers be still hackers :-) hehe, no internet, only slow connection via acustik coppler and 300baud :-))))

JC-S60 · 09-05-2007, 03:40 AM

Sure this is G4 specific. The antenna output is not specific, once OUT OF the G4.

There is no such thing as a software to control antennas, it's a silly 12v line switched, what pc has such an output, dedicated to car antennas?

If you add some simple hardware (usb -> serial + relais), it's very simple to make a little program that does what you want. Would be much prettier if it used the proprietary power antenna output of the G4 though.

Chuck should know this...

Or maybe a workaround: make a plugin for streetdeck that leaves the radio playing in the background but switches off the sound from it?

Good luck!
Joachim

enigma9o7 · 09-24-2007, 08:47 PM

JC, who is Chuck, I'll ask him. I still want a way to do it without additional hardware, I compeltely understand the hardware method and can do that if absolutely necessary (and wouldn't even need windows to control that, I could use a switch), but seems like that's completely unneeded when streetdeck can already do it.

marci · 10-15-2007, 06:29 PM

is a nice future-feature for the centrafuse plugin. when you start cf the radio antenna is not rising up. But when you use one time the radio the antenna raising up, and stay always up. maybe when you switch to media or tv or whatever the antenna should raisning down ...

hmmm.