AM/FM with HQCT

froop · 05-28-2006, 08:48 PM

With the latest RR release, there is the FMAM label, which will display which band the radio is tuned into, but I can't seem to find anywhere any other commands for AM listening.
- How do I select the AM band?
- How do I store AM frequencies in the presets?
- Can I set the frequency increments? (The software included with the HQCT seeks in increments of 5. I need it in 9 (I think)).

guino · 05-28-2006, 09:30 PM

Everything works through the same FM functions. Just hit the "tune" button and if you enter 92.5 then you're on FM, if you enter 1500 then it switches to AM.. then you can step up/down (no seek), and store the presets as usual. your presets will have both FM and AM stations and RR will switch when needed.

froop · 05-29-2006, 03:48 AM

Aah cool.
It would be nice though to toggle AM and FM, and then SCAN AM stations using a predefined frequency starting point and increment (in rr.ini). Especially doing country driving when I don't know what the local frequencies are, the AM band is just too broad to manually tune by pressing the + button.

guino · 05-29-2006, 12:28 PM

The seek function did not work in AM when I had it hooked up, they said it works now, but I haven't looked at the code again.. but supposedly it would get all kinds of blank frequencies cause the level of reception is always so high.

froop · 05-29-2006, 07:43 PM

Cool. Reception in AM is definately not a 'clean cut' as FM. I think I've got it mostly sorted now (haven't tried the skin in the car yet, so can't confirm). One thing I did notice is that if I try and key in a frequency that is not a valid AM or FM frequency (eg: 450) it spits the dummy with a windows dialog "out of range" error. I assume this is being thrown by the RRHQCT.EXE. Is is possible to trap this in RR instead, and just do something like display "INVALID FREQUENCY" in the text box?

Redian · 05-29-2006, 08:08 PM

how well does the am/fm radio work?

froop · 05-29-2006, 08:28 PM

Works pretty good. Both AM and FM reception are very good. In perfect conditions quality is as good as a head unit, but realistically in everyday driving its about 80% as good as a HU for both FM and AM.