Carl Blare

If you use Winamp and want your transmitted and streamed audio to sound professional but do not have the expensive processor (i.e., Innovonics) I strongly suggest the Stereo Tool Plugin by Hans van Zutphen available in a free version, or a more complete inexpensive version

http://www.stereotool.com/

I am mentioning the Stereo Tool for two reasons at this present moment, for one thing my radio signals have that full present sound which is a total pleasure to listen to all day and it’s because of the Stereo Tool. But the other reason this plugin is on my mind is because of a problem I’ve been having which I have theoretically traced to the Stereo Tool.

In another thread, asking for Shoutcast help, I have made several entries regarding the frequent disconnection and reconnection of my Shoutcast Server from the YP (Yellow Page Directory) at shoutcast.com.

One cause, I found through experimentation, is the conversion going on in real-time within Winamp as it converts the audiofile bit-rates to the streaming bit-rates. Winamp does this very well until some odd-ball file values show up and then it seems to appear like a “lost source.”

One audio file in particular causes the connection to drop and reconnect about once a minute during its 15-minute length. It is a Time-Counter that I use to fill time with clock-like pulses similar to WWV Time Radio. My theory is that the pulses happen BEFORE the Stereo Tool can hard-limit them, thus exceeding the headroom limit from the Shoutcast Server. With this in mind, it is possible that other disconnects may be happening from any audio material with a strong starting velocity.

If my theory holds up, all I need to do is drive my stream with a very careful top-end threshhold.

I will be back after manipulating things.

Some locations return to Standard Time overnight.

At 2 AM Daylight, set your clock to 1 AM Standard and remember you did, or you may set it back again the next day.

Some locations return to Standard Time overnight.

At 2 AM Daylight, set your clock to 1 AM Standard and remember you did, or you may set it back again the next day.

Make sure only one person per clock sets the time back.

An asteroid between here and the moon on November 9? What part of the earth will it pass over? Will it stir up a breeze?

When the AMT3000 arrived several years ago the analog multi-meter was broken and I could not use it to peak the antenna using the available test points, so I worked out a way to use the RF Level Control on the Zenith Transoceanic radio to peak the RF to the antenna and also a second method putting a C.Crane Plus radio 100-feet away with a Scosche FM transmitter attached so I could listen to how my AM signal sounded way out there and peak it accordingly.

When building the Big Talker shortwave transmitter I got a new digital multimeter and was able to use it to set the new AMT5000 from sstran, but did the AMT3000 comparison setup using the old meterless method.

Then yesterday something clicked in the brain and I realized that the AMT3000 could be peaked using the digital multimeter.

Got a super signal from WCCO Minneapolis, Minnesota, 830 kHz 50 kW, near 11 PM CDT, the host is a terrific personality, didn’t catch his name, who had an extraordinary raport with his callers. They spoke to him like it was a private family conversation. He knew all their data, like age, ailments, family members.

Then I checked 970 kHz, destined to be the future carrier current spot for KDX, and it was nice and clear.

Went down to 570 kHz, usually very clear, so I could wish to be there with CC, but there is only one guard band on either side, way too tight. Only tonight something interesting was coming in. A tick-tick-tick, like a clock, only none of the tones heard on WWV. But every few minutes two morse code figures:
dit-dash-dit dit-dash-dit. It was saying “R – R.” Where would that be coming from?

Simple idea, I thought I would fill the hours after “sign off” by running some “occupy” audio from the protests around the country. Two sites offer some choices, including
http://radio4all.org

Simple idea, I thought I would fill the hours after “sign off” by running some “occupy” audio from the protests around the country. Two sites offer some choices, including
http://radio4all.org
http://archive.org
But audio feeds from the events are few as most of the media effort has gone to video or blogging.
One “General Assembly” program had several hours of speaking by way of the “substitute bullhorn,” where the crowd repeats in unison every few words from the person speaking. From a listening standpoint, this wears thin after awhile. For the dear people investing themselves in the movement it sounds to me like the last days before a mental collapse.

The worst thing I saw was in a local area town where the crowd appeared on fast-edit video doing no more than hooting as if they were at a ball game. They had with them their kids and pets as if this were Occupy Picnic.

The public has reason for being discontent, but they need better media coverage. I can’t be there because I’m back here in the studio supplying air time.

Civilization is getting away from us.

Looking through my low power equipment file folder I came across a news item from the early 90s clipped from an electronics magazine announcing the 1750-meter transmitter kit from Palomar Engineers (160 to 190 kHz) intended for Part 15 long wave. $145.00

The company exists today but there is no mention of the transmitter. I have e-mailed them to ask for a history.

http://www.palomar-engineers.com/index.html

If they respond I will post the information here.