At Woodside we showed a production prototype of the tuner module, which is going into production in a matter of days.

The module supports FM, AM and LW bands (and maybe the US weather band, subject to software). The surprise extra feature is an interface for the Sony stick controller, providing for connection of this useful control device without using up the docked serial interface. A number of third parties offer convertors between factory control buttons and the Sony interface.

We expect to begin shipping tuners to those that participated in the Mk.1 upgrade deal within the next couple of weeks, although due to high demand it will take several weeks to achieve a shipping from stock status. I'll post a notification when the product is available to order at the e-store.

Regards

Rob

I'm really suprised noone else said anything about this yet. I for one was glad to see the tuner module continue to have features added while time went on. Having AM, LW, and the Sony interface is going to be well worth the money compaired to the origional plans for an FM only tuner.

The surprise extra feature is an interface for the Sony stick controller, providing for connection of this useful control device without using up the docked serial interface. A number of third parties offer convertors between factory control buttons and the Sony interface.

Hmpf!
Couldn't you say that before I built the interface? Or didn't you know that before?

Well - doesn't really matter too much. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for the tuner module any more - then I can make all the install at once - the control-stick-hookup, the mic and the tuner...


TeeMcBee
Got my Mk2! # 080000143

In reply to:

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The module supports FM, AM and LW bands (and maybe the US weather band, subject to software).

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That is good news! I am pleasantly surprised about the possible inclusion of the US weather bands. For me, its icing on the coolness cake. And I am sure for boaters, it would be a most useful tool!

Is "LW" referring to "longwave"? (sorta like shortwave). What is broadcast on that? Worldwide BBC radio types of things? Or can we listen in on local hams?

Have a pleasant Monday, and for everyone in the northeast, good luck weathering the storm!

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greggerm 09000991

LW is long wave, Radio 4 in the UK is transmitted on 198khz on Long Wave. It can be received in most of Western Europe I think. I don't think there is much else on Long Wave in Europe.

__
Unit serial number 47 (was 330 in the queue)...

Well, it means the serial port is freed up for more goodies.

Calvin

Great news! I'll cross my fingers for weather bands. Like a lot of boats, mine already has a VHF set with built in weather bands, but I would really like having this in my car -- nice having NOAA weather on tap when deciding whether to drive home over the Cascades or whatever.

The joystick option is *really* intruguing. The VHF unit on my boat allows the addition of an optional "RAM Mic" microphone with an LCD display and control buttons -- allows you to operate all radio functions from the cockpit (or wherever you install it). The joystick could allow the same. Now if I can figure a way to get a remote LCD display to duplicate the Empeg display below decks, mate it to the Sony, then waterproof the whole things...that would be incredibly sweet.

Jim

Hello.

Great news about the tuner. In previous posts this module was supposed to include Radio Data System (RDS), also known as Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS), and some ability to record from the tuner or the auxilary input. Can we still expect to enjoy these features when the tuner arrives?

Adrian
I've already ordered my Rio Car.

RDS/RBDS is in there, yes. Recording from the tuner won't be available. The hardware can record the tuner when listening to it, but as the tuner has no MPX decode on board it can't do this when (eg) listening to mp3s.

Hugo

Im a little confused on your statement.....

"Recording from the tuner won't be available. The hardware can record the tuner when listening to it, but as the tuner has no MPX decode on board it can't do this when (eg) listening to mp3s."

Does this mean we can record from the tuner while listening to it? or not?
If not, Why? ... Should be no different than any portable radio thats records from the radio. "most do"


12Gb MKII 080000516 Blue

There's a lot of (reasonable) French music stations, a couple of German (Austrian?) stations that are mainly talk, and I seem to be able to pick up a fair amount of other stuff that I am not (as a mere human) able to decode

One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

(always answering my own posts...)

No sooner do I dream of a marinized, LCD-equipped RM-X4S-style remote control unit than some bloke is selling one:

http://www.access-tech.net/mrc1.htm

Granted, It doesn't look like I can get full Empeg visuals, but it still might be worth installing.

Jim

You can record while listening to the tuner - but not while listening to MP3's or Aux. Note that this is unlikely to make 1.1.

Rob

It was a last minute decision. We realise that this could step on the toes of a few people (I was nervous to look across to Big John at the meet after we announced this!) but it seems a worthwhile addition to the module, saving the serial port for other applications.

Of course Mk.1 owners would still need an interface.

Rob

OK, having been duly berated, my "going into production in a matter of days" comment was probably a little too enthusiastic. It is going into production any day now, but that involves all sorts of PCB manufacture, assembly, testing and so forth - it'll be a while before any modules ship.

I guess my point was that the "while" is much less of a while than it once was

Rob

Hi there,

The main danish radio is also broadcasting on longwave. I havn't got a clue what frequency they're broadcasting on, but i know it's populair among the truckdrives and others traveling. It's allways nice to hear the local news no matter how irelevant they are..

In reply to:

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LW is long wave, Radio 4 in the UK is transmitted on 198khz on Long Wave. It can be received in most of Western Europe I think. I don't think there is much else on Long Wave in Europe.


Regards,
Kaare.

Mark II - S/N: 702

Radio Norway international is on LongWave.

Look at

http://www.nrk.no/radionorway/frekvenser/allefre_omraade.html


Marius (Escort Cab + Mark II)

Wasn´t the tuner suppose to handle the new digital radio standard or do I remember wrong?

It´s great anyway it´s finally on the way ...

/nB

No, what you remember is someone's question about that topic some time ago. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that the tuner module wasn't designed with that in mind.

The interface is designed to accommodate possible future modules fror DAB, XM and future standards. These may or may not happen depending on demand.

Rob

one word for this announcement !

hooray !!!!

you wouldnt believe how happy i am now that i will get RDS traffic announcements as i navigate through London rush hour, joy.

Craig

i suppose i will have to go and buy a sony stick control now though.... ;)

I'd definitely buy a DAB tuner. (In fact I've already got my money out!).

Cheers,

Paul.

Paul Haigh, Reg. 4120
(mk1) 6GB, Blue, 00254
(mk2) 12GB, Red, 00357

I'd second that, though I would have to upgrade from my Mk1 to a Riocar first.

__
Unit serial number 47 (was 330 in the queue)...

I would also buy one......DAB Module and the Option to record sounds really nice....

janosch

Ok, so what is the status now? Over two weeks later, and desparately hoping for the tuner module!

Just out of curiosity: Some of the newer Blaupunkt head units have a function called "TIM" - Traffic Information Memory. What it does, basically, is storing Traffic Information announcements in a low-sampling-rate chip buffer for later playback, even when just playing a CD or when the head unit is "turned off". Using a timer, it can even do this when the car is parked.

This is quite a handy function to have in the morning when getting into the car and finding out that your favorite Autobahn is jammed before actualling getting onto it :)

Any plans to do something like this with the empeg tuner?

Olli

Sorry, no plans at the moment. It is possible, but it requires powering the amps/display as this is the switched power line the tuner is run from :|

Hugo

I have a 97 Jetta with the Empeg installed in the Factory radio slot.
When I installed it I made sure to position the tuner interface and the antenna cable so that they could be reached through the large hole in the bottom of the sled.

There is plenty of room underneath the sled, the question is will the tuner module fit through the hole in the bottom of the sled. If so I could hook it up without having to pull the sled and risk damaging the wiring loom.

Your response is greatly appreciated

John
080000525 Green MKII

Yes, it should do. I don't have the prototype casings here, but it looks like it will.

Hugo

Whew. Man, oh man. I thought you guys were going to start working me personally over for this tuner module....

What a relief to find the true thread of this topic.
--Tim

Whew. Man, oh man. I thought you guys were going to start working me personally over for this tuner module....

ROFL

Yeah, now that Rob's knob has been sorted, what's happening with Tim's tuner module?

Borislav

Yeah, now that Rob's knob has been sorted, what's happening with Tim's tuner module?

That was nothing compared to Peter's Partition Problem. Good news is that one's been fixed.

___________
Tony Fabris

In reply to:

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Of course Mk.1 owners would still need an interface.
Rob

---

Does this mean that it is possible to use tuner module with MK1 somehow? It would be great because its quite impossible to listen my favourite station with MK1 internal reciever, the signal is not strong enough. And i can't afford upgradeing to MK2 on the moment.

Does the new module has a solution for power antenna. I don't like the antenna being out all the time when empeg is powered on and i'm not listening the radio.



Veiko
veiko@lc.ee

MK1 #317 - 20GB green

There's no way to hook the Mk2 tuner up to the Mk1, I'm afraid. Sorry.

As far as the power antenna goes, that's a good question. Some radios have a separate control wire for the antenna, others assume that the amp remote line is sufficient. What's the word, Hugo or Rob? Will the Mark2 tuner have a separate antenna control wire, so that you don't raise the antenna when listening to MP3s?

___________
Tony Fabris

It doesn't have an antenna control wire, it puts 12v on the antenna feed as necessary, which is how powered antennas normally work (they sense the DC offset on the antenna and extend as necessary)

Hugo

> It doesn't have an antenna control wire, it puts 12v on the antenna feed as necessary, which is how powered
> antennas normally work (they sense the DC offset on the antenna and extend as necessary)


Sorry, but I never saw any Head Unit without a control line for powered antennas, and also no powered antenna without the power line...


bye
L

We've moved the powered antenna line to a wire (very last minute mod).

VWs (eg, my beetle) has a powered antenna which is powered *up the antenna cable* - no separate wire. This is common on new VWs & Audis.

Hugo

Thank you, Thank You, Thank You.

I'd much rather have a slightly later tuner, than not having the antenna wire...

We've moved the powered antenna line to a wire (very last minute mod).

Sweet! Guess that BBS post came just in time?

___________
Tony Fabris

No, it was more a result of me buying a few powered antennas last week :)

Hugo