I'll tell you things we want to do here at KDX Worldround Radio.
1.) We have several transmitting antenna experiments we want to try;
2.) We want to sign on our AMT3000 Transmitter at 1550 kHz so as to reach the Transoceanic Radio which does not tune above 1600 kHz;
3.) We are contemplating production of a 'Low Power Hour' using AI (Artificial Intelligence) voices.
Starting tomorrow.
I'm thinking about revamping the format here a little...I have variety news/public affairs/talk and mixed music right now...Might make it more of community type station...Get others involved who can produce programming that's within the mission of the station...
I dont know exactly what I'm going to do, but currently thinking something along these lines..
Transmit from my boat, call it Back River Radio. The last time I experimented with it was proubly 7-10 years ago on my last boat, but I found that I was only reaching the houses along the back river, and wasnt penetrating into the areas further into the island (this kind of surprised me). But it travelled much father in other directions like to the bridge a few miles away - but then again it was a clear line of sight.
My boat now is basically in the same area as the last one was, but now I'm maybe 1/4 mile from where I was, kind of around the bend (I anchored the boat where I have it now because theres other boats anchored here and I'm not as much in the active recreational area as I was before, thus fewer wakes - I'm actually living on my boat now, and hate it when someone speeds by and rocks me around! So it's much more comfortable)
Damn.. I forgot what Ivwas talking about..
Right! Ok, So my idea, to air a mix of tourist info and music.. and since I want to avoid paying royalties, and dont want to resort to solely old royalty music that's unlikely to attract an audience, I want to mix it up with some ai created music that's more engaging, like pop, rock, country...
But really my ideas all kinda up in the air.. But once I actualy get something formulated and established in a working manner then I'll pull in some advertising and eventually pay BMI ..
But I really dont have definitive plans - I'm mostly just pondering.
I have no specific future plans. I just added 175 episodes of Twilight Zone radio shows to the OTR mix and that will air in the near future(couple of days) at 10 PM daily and the other classics like Suspense, Gunsmoke, Inner Sanctum, and more, run back to back from 12 midnight and oldies the rest of the time. The future...well I have most everything to air and it has to end at some point, even computer has a limited amount of space although more can be added but at some point there's enough. I never even hear as a listener all that's there as it's too vast already. If I know I will stay on AM and one frequency I can think of a good name, something better than oldies...maybe classic or retro 1630 with call letters like WMRK which I used before. Most radios even older ones usually top out higher than the 1605 stated and will get 1630,according to band scan videos but our transmitters work best at 1600 and above and less nighttime skywave there. There's a local here at 1610 so that's why 1630.
No definite plans other than little tweaks here and there.
Similar to @carl-blare, I am the audience, as far as I know. I am working on professionalizing my studio. And as it progresses I hope to do some live on air pieces, with video done like a podcast is done, and replay better pieces on something like the Tube. I had done some local journalism in STL that was short lived and want to revisit it for Saint James. Also, I am tinkering with remote broadcasting again, but from something like a boat. Lots of lakes around me including my own small one on the farm.
Another idea we have here at KDX is a panel that controls and shows the status of all our transmitters in one easy place, where I can turn carriers off and on and see whether they are on or off. The ultimate remote control.
@carl-blare That makes me recall some TIS software used for managing multiple transmitter installs.. It displayed a map of various TIS transmitters in a given area, and you could just click on the individual locations for remotely access them to change programming or check their status individually or what have you..
I'll try to find the link again. The subject was brought up here years ago.
It made me think it would be great if some similar software could be designed for part 15 multiple install systems.
I think this was it:
https://mhcorbin.com/Products/Product-Detail/Article/124/Platinum-Communication-Software
"...This unique software package allows for full control of Highway Advisory Radios (HARs) by monitoring, creating and changing broadcast messages for every HAR System in your network.
Message recording, editing, review, scheduling and synchronizing are quick and easy through the intuitive graphical user interface..."
Something similar would be particularly valuable at some of these state parks that utilize multiple part 15 AM transmitters for each given area.
@richardpowers I am baffled by how this could possibly work since it is software only. There would need to be some kind of physical connection to each transmitter. Have you figured out how it works?
@carl-blare No, not really, but presumably it involves utilizing the internet to communicate. Sending new announcements to be aired, monitoring status, cutting it off or on, etc.
It's just a remote access to each individual transmitter and the managing software includes a visual map indicating each locale.
Doesnt seem particularly mysterious. What's baffling you?
Someone once described something very similar:
A panel that controls and shows the status of all our transmitters in one easy place, can turn carriers off and on and see whether they are on or off. The ultimate remote control.
@richardpowers The Procaster AM Transmitter, as an example, generates a carrier when power is applied to it.
To turn off the carrier the power must be switched off.
There is no connection to the internet.
No way for software to throw the power switch.
@carl-blare "No way for software to throw the power switch"
Why not? Couldn't the software simply send a signal via internet to a solenoid swith or something to flip power on or off?
I took another look around the page and gleamed this info for an idea how it worked. It's obviously and old sytem:
Architecture: Client, Server
Dial-Up Server: 1 PCIx Slot
Connectivity: TCP/IP 100/1000 MBPS
(Ethernet), dialup-DTMF
It also mentions: Software integrates with most other ATMS systems
A google of "ATMS" said:
ATMs typically connect directly to their host or ATM Controller on either ADSL or dial-up modem over a telephone line or directly on a leased line.
I'm a little baffled at your bafflement, you are way more knowledgeable about technical matters than I will ever be.
"typically connect directly to their host or ATM Controller on either ADSL or dial-up modem over a telephone line or directly on a leased line."
Yes I realize its talking about a direct connection there, but what difference does it make if the signal is being sent by wire or air? The results are the same.
@richardpowers Well now you are describing a physical interface between the computer and the transmitter.
So I will refresh my reaction. A physical interface consisting of switches and wires is what I initially envisioned.
What you are describing is a bit more complicated since there's no real reason in my case to have the switching apparatus accessible by internet, but it is an option.