PCS Electronics PCI MAX 2005/RDS Manuale utente

PCS Electronics

www.pcs-electronics.com

[email protected]

PCI MAX 2005/RDS

PC based FM stereo transmitter card

PCI MAX 2005/RDS is a high performance PLL controlled FM transmitter for your everyday PC compatible

computer. It is a all-in-one solution, perfect for transmitting your music throughout your house, your yard

and further, if you couple it with our 15W booster. It can even serve as a local, college or a community radio

station, with the features and quality you expect from the professional setup, with amazing audio quality and

stereo separation. It is perfectly suited for homebrew DJ’s. Easily tunable anywhere on the dial with a simple

click of the mouse.

BEFORE YOU START...

-A word of caution!

Our PCI MAX card is legal to use in many

countries, but may not be legal in yours. Please

consult local authorities before you start using this

product.

-Antenna You have to realize that antenna was, is

and will always be a crucial part of the system,

especially if you need extra range. A good antenna

placed as high as possible can massively increase

your range. We recommend that you look at many

of the designs for homebrew antenna projects at our

website (guides section) or any of the factory

produced models. It is usually a good idea to place

your antenna away from your transmitter and audio

system and connect it via coaxial cable!

-Coaxial cable The common RG-58 from Radio

Shack is not the best you can do. Use it only for

short runs – up to about 10m. BELDEN makes

terrific coax in various qualities and with very low

loss (measured in dB’s…decibels). Don't buy more

than you need to make the long run to your antenna

and do not make too many "jumpers" between your

exciter, SWR meter and your antenna as all you'll

do is create a higher SWR and more line losses.

Don't use cheap TV coaxial cable.

-Audio equipment. This is obviously going to be

your PC, but you can easily power PCI MAX from

any other audio source. Win Amp or any other MP3

player will be very useful. Plug-ins are available

and take care of limiting-compression. You are

advised to pull down the equalizers above about 15

KHz as the broadcast standard requires them to be

attenuated. They can produce hiss as they can

interfere with the pilot carrier signal at 19 KHz.

Get a good sound board! Check http://www.pcs-

electronics.com for tips.

SETTING UP THE PCI MAX CARD

Setup basically consists of two major steps:

STEP 1 – SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

Insert the PCI MAX installation CD in the

computer's CD-ROM drive. NOTE: Some

computers will start the CD automatically and

others will not. If the CD does not begin after a

couple of seconds, you need to manually run the

"Setup.exe" file in the root directory of the CD. The

setup program makes a backup of every file

installed so that you can simply uninstall the

program, if you experience any problem with your

computer.

Fig. 1: You’ve just started the Setup program…

The install itself is pretty straight forward.

Fig. 2: Just follow the installation process…

A PROVIDED PIECE OF WIRE WILL WORK, BUT

YOUR RANGE WILL BE LIMITED!

Fig. 3: You’re about finished…

Shut down the PC after you’ve successfully

installed the Setup program.

STEP 2 – PCI MAX CARD

INSTALLATION

You will need one free PCI slot to install your PCI

MAX. Remember to turn off your computer and

remove the power cable from the wall or power

strip. Open your PC, find an empty PCI slot and

insert your PCI MAX card into that slot as you

would any other PCI card. You may need to move

your card to another slot, if Windows doesn't find it

as you boot up. This usually happens with other

cards as well (network cards, sound cards) so don't

be alarmed. If you can, place your card as far away

from other cards as possible. Also, move any cables

as far as possible away from the PCI MAX. Finally

secure your PCI MAX card with a screw. Make

sure that none of the cards are in contact with each

other. It is now time to install the provided antenna

(or another better antenna); plug it into the F

connector (denoted with A on the picture below).

Fig. 4: A; Antenna connection, B, C; Audio input

Use the provided jumper audio cable to connect the

audio input (B or C) to the sound card. Note that

there are two audio inputs. You can use them to

connect your speakers since one of the outputs on

your sound card is now taken (they are internally

connected; feed-through). Now that you've installed

your card Windows should report finding new

hardware after loading Windows.

When it does, point the location of the driver to the

CD-ROM (make sure you inserted installation CD

first) or to the directory where you installed the

program. Example below is for Windows XP. Other

operating systems will display similarly looking

panels. Complete the installation as the operating

system instructs you. You may need to reboot your

PC again, depending on the operating system that

you’re using.

Fig.5: This is an example for Windows XP.

There will be a new icon on your desktop… go

ahead, click it!

Fig. 6: PCI MAX card icon, click it to bring up the

control program for the PCI MAX card.

A program will come up, enabling you to change

frequency, mode of operation (stereo or mono) and

turn the transmitter on or off. You will also be able

to change RDS parameters, if your card supports

RDS.

Fig. 7: The PCI MAX control program.

I’d like to point out here that SAM2 also supports

PCI MAX through its interface. SAM 2 is a all-in-

one broadcasting program for PC, supporting DSP

plug-ins, scheduling, it publishes your play lists on

the internet automatically and does a lot more. We

recommend this program to everyone! Check our

software section!

Fig. 8: The PCI MAX control program in SAM2.

USE AND FINAL NOTES

Select the desired working frequency with the mouse. That slider next to the frequency display is the output

power adjustment trimmer. Set it to minimal sufficient value in order to avoid interference to other users or

neighbors. Open your MP3 player or CD-ROM audio player. Turn on any fm radio and set the receiver to the

transmitter’s frequency until you can hear the

computer's audio through the fm radio. You will need

to adjust audio level so that the sound on the radio

sounds naturally and without distortion. Too much

volume may sound good on your radio, but will sound

horrible a few hundred meters from the transmitter! You shouldn’t sound louder as other FM stations. Now any

audio you play through your computer will play through the transmitter to any fm radio tuned to the frequency

you have the transmitter set to. You may want to try a few different stations because of better reception in

different areas some spots on the dial may work better than others.

FOR ADVANCED USERS

PCI MAX contains a high quality digital stereo encoder and PLL stabilized FM transmitter. There’s a lot more

you can do with PCI MAX than meets the eye. For example, you could use it without the PC. Have you noticed

the IDC14 connector on the PCI MAX board? This is a control unit that you can attach to it to make it work

without the PC:

Fig.9: The LED control/display unit for regular version of PCI MAX card.

Fig.10: The LCD control/display unit for the RDS version of PCI MAX card.

WARNING: PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOU ARE TUNING IN

TO AN AREA ON YOUR LOCAL FM BAND THAT HAS NO

STATION BROADCASTING ON IT, YOU DO NOT WANT TO

INTERRUPT ANYONE ELSE'S LISTENTING TO LOCAL

RADIO STATIONS, IT'S RUDE AND ALSO ILEGAL!

For example, you could buy a 19” professional rack mount enclosure and turn your PCI MAX card into a stand-

alone no-tune stereo FM transmitter. If you need more power, why not put our 15W booster into this very same

enclosure? LCD control unit for the PCI MAX RDS lets you set power, frequency and RDS parameters via the

provided menu system, 3 keys and LCD display.

Fig.11: Setting the PS for the RDS version of PCI MAX card.

Fig.12: Setting the power for the RDS version of PCI MAX card.

Fig.13 shows how to change pre-emphasis and connect the LED control unit. Power is adjusted via Windows

software and there is external power connector at the back of the card (12-13V DC, center positive). This

optional external power connector usually reduces the noise, coming from the PC, so this is a good idea, if

you’re suffering from the noise, generated by the PC. This can also be used in stand-alone situations outside of

the PC. Pre-emphasis is already preinstalled for you, any change is only required, if you’re going to sell your

unit to someone outside of your area (from US to the EU, for example).

Fig.13: LCD control unit, antenna and other features of the PCI MAX card.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Please remember to turn off the transmitter when not in use! This goes especially for the 15W booster.

Make sure you turn it off until you start the program on the desktop and turn it off after you stop using

the program! Remember that anything you broadcast through the transmitter can be heard by anyone tuning in

to that frequency. Although it is unlikely certain weather conditions may allow the signal to go further than your

immediate listening area so please don't broadcast anything you don't mind anyone else hearing.

WARRANTY

Any PCI MAX unit that fails due to defects in workmanship and/or materials will be repaired or replaced, at the

discretion of the manufacturer, to the original purchaser who provides dated proof of purchase. Damages caused

by abuse, misuse, negligence (i.e. Water damage, improper installation, lightning strike) are considered to be

avoidable.

LEGAL INFO

It may be illegal to operate this device in your county. Please consult local authorities before using our products!

PCS Elektronik d.o.o. is not responsible for any damage to your PC arising from use of this product and will not

be held responsible for any violation of local laws pertaining to the use of this product.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall PCS Elektronik d.o.o. or its suppliers be

liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever (including, without limitation,

damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other pecuniary

loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use the PRODUCT, even if PCS Elektronik d.o.o. has been advised

of the possibility of such damages. In any case, PCS Elektronik d.o.o.´ entire liability under any provision of

this agreement shall be limited to the greater of the amount actually paid by you for the PRODUCT or U.S.

$5.00; because some states and jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability, the above

limitation may not apply to you.

Thank you for purchasing the PCI MAX card!

We hope you will enjoy it as much as we do and remember to tell your friends about it. We would also like to

invite you to visit our website; it offers an abundance of information related to broadcasting and radio, as well as

feedback form, a forum and support section.

From all of us we wish you happy broadcasting!

Your PCS Electronics team

www.pcs-electronics.com

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM PCS ELECTRONICS

We also carry a big range of:

- FM transmitters in assembled and KIT form

- AM transmitters with extremely clear modulation (PWM design)

- Various accessories for professional and hobby FM radio stations

- A large assortment of hard to obtain RF components (RF transistors; MRF, 2SC, coils, silver plated wire,

coaxial cable, capacitors, quartz crystals and many others)

- PC based FM transmitters (PCI MAX pc based FM transmitter turns your PC into a radio station)

- A large number of beginners guides to get you started

- A large selection of free schematics is as well available at our website.

Check http://www.pcs-electronics.com

Check www.pcs-electronics.com!

Finally, a simple DIY GP antenna design

You can build an inexpensive 1/4 wave antenna from 1 SO-239 chassis mount RF connector and 5 - 3' bronze

welding rods, cut to the proper length. Here is how it looks:

For other aerial designs check our website.

If you have a SWR

meter, leave a bit

longer radiator and

adjust it later by

cutting to achieve

minimum SWR.

Most designs on the web don't compensate for the fact

that GP aerials are not wideband aerials. Here is a

Freq/element length chart for this simple GP aerial, all

element lengths are in millimeters:

Frequency Radiator - B Radials - A

108MHZ 660 693

104MHz 684 720

100MHz 713 749

90MHz 792 819

Indice

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