Those of you using a Conrad RDS Manager for decoding RDS signals from
your FM tuner might be interested in this updated decoder manufactured
by WTFDA member Ray Dees.
This decoder measures 5 inches long by 5 inches wide and is 2
¼” tall, just a little larger than the RDS Manager. The
display measures 1 1/8” by 2 3/8”. The front of the
unit has four buttons. Upper left is the on/off power button. Upper
right is the mode button. The two bottom buttons adjust brightness and
contrast of the display.
The RDS decoder includes a 6vdc wall wort but in the back of the unit
you will notice a jack for a USB connector. Now!!
The RDS Converter can be flashed and upgraded so the USB cable can be
used instead of the serial cable. The RDS converter can then be used
with RDS Spy to display RDS information. Unit needs to be shipped back
to Ray for upgrade. Email Ray for info on this procedure. (1/6/2012)
In back of the unit is a BNC connector to connect the input from your
tuner and in my case I needed to get an RCA-to-BNC adapter from Radio
Shack. You will also find a jack for the wall wort, a USB port and a
serial port to let you use the RDS Decoder with an older computer that
has a port for a serial cable.
Let’s talk about the Mode button in the front of the RDS Decoder.
Default mode is what you see when you turn on the unit. The display
shows you PI code (UL), call letters (UR), program type, title and
artist. Also, if the station provides it, you’ll read
today’s date (LL) and time (LR). PI code and call letters
show up almost immediately when you tune to a station.
Press the Mode button and you will see the station’s radiotext.
There are two types of radiotext; A and B. You may read one or the
other or both. Press Mode one more time and you will read the
default screen in much greater detail.
The RDS decoder functions very will as a standalone unit. PI codes and
call signs are almost instant. The unit does not hold the display when
you tune from station to station. Use the RDS decoder with your
computer and software if you need to see a PI decode (as in overnight
unattended DX logging). The RDS decoder will work with Esslinger
software or whatever works with the Conrad RDS Manager.
I intend to use mine in the summer as a standalone unit for E skip
DXing. In my opinion, it’s a very sensitive unit and I
don’t see a real need to connect it up to my computer.
Ray Dees has a website dedicated to the RDS Decoder. It’s
http://www.raydees.com. Check Ray’s site for pricing and ordering
information. You can contact Ray at info@raydees.com or look in the DX
Equipment Forum at http://www.wtfda.info to see what Ray is up to at
the moment.
