In previous posts, it has been mentioned that some of the original tuners shipped with modules capable of receiving weatherband frequencies. With a survey for the new tuners coming, could the community be polled on the interest in including similarly equipped modules to receive weatherband broadcasts? Is there any interest in supporting this feature in software?

Adrian

The weatherband modules were significantly more expensive, ISTR. Some original modules only got them due to a stock shortage at Microtune, I think. If they still have a shortage of 1384s and a surplus of 1385s, then there may be more weatherband units.

Hugo

The weatherband modules were significantly more expensive, ISTR.

How much is "significantly"?

If we're talking about $15.50 instead of $11.85 or so (or some other small, ridiculous made-up numbers) then perhaps buyers wouldn't mind paying an extra $5 or $10 for the additional capability.

tanstaafl.

Yes, but Doug, you're not taking into account that the extra $5.00 (made-up number) would have to be passed on to every single purchaser. In order to use the weatherband features, someone would have to write their own software to access it (it's not in the default software). So you'd be increasing the price of the tuner module for something not everyone would use and that might never even get any software written for it.

yeah like we don't already have un-used hardware on the empeg :-)

Ouch. Touche'.

Yes, I too would love to have the ability to get the weather (NOAA for example) from the new tuner .The weather here in Florida can get lousy pretty fast..

Weather band would be great. I would doubt that it would be cost prohibitive if whoever's organizing has already given up on making a profit. I guess no one has solid numbers on how much the hardware would cost?

The seperate issue is getting weatherband supported. Since there are tuner modules out there without a tuner chip, it's hard to see the empeg guys spending their time on the weatherband, as it couldn't really be claimed as a feature on an already EOL'ed player nor would it really be research for another product.

We do have costs for a new run of tuners from the original manufacturer now, and are looking into it. Stay tuned for more news.

Weatherband is only applicable to the USA, though, as the frequency band in question isn't used elsewhere. This also makes it hard for us to test

I suspect no more will be made with the weatherband module (it's not the "normal" part, they just happened to have some spare previously) - so people who really wanted a weatherband capable unit would have to swap their tuner with someone who wasn't bothered.

Hugo

What "unused" hardware is he referring to?

1) Temp. sensor.
2) Mic input.

Where can one find info on the 1385 units? Microtune has none, and a Google web and groups search returns nada.

Difficult to test? You have Tony at your beck and call! :-D

Calvin

So I guess what we need is someone in "the know" to write the software hack to allow the weatherband to be tunable.