[net.micro] Software from the radio

haddock@waltz (10/01/85)

/* ---------- "Software from the radio" ---------- */

Sorry Luis but the software is NOT transmitted on a subcarrier.  It
is done right on the main carrier between various segments of the
1/2-hour program.  Music and talks shows are not carried
simultaneously.  What you get are brief periods of noise that sound
something like an old Rat Shack Mod I program tape recording.
It is true that software CAN be distributed over a subcarrier but
this is not how NDN does it.

	>All you need is a $70 shuttle communicator that hooks up between the
	>radio and the computer.  However, a number of questions remained.
	>SOFCAST only transmits at 2400 and 4800 baud.  Does that mean we have
	>to buy an expensive 2400 baud modem to get free software?   Does
	>anybody have any experience with this method of transmission?

No, the shuttle communicator handles all comm. 'tween the radidio
and your computer (but I'm not sure if you need an RS-232 ports of
some kind).  It also behaves as a 1200-baud modem so that users can
dial up NDN's data base or bboard.  The nice thing about this kind
of hook up is that you can tape record the programs and have them
saved for when you (or a friend) get the shuttle communicator.

Alas, I have not tried purchasing a communicator nor have I tried
downloading any material with a 2400-baud modem - I just listen to
the show on Sunday nights (here in Dallas).   I admit, $70 bucks
ain't too bad for a 1200-baud modem even if you don't download 2400
and 4800-baud programs/text/what-have-you from the radidio.

I'll try to remember to save the phone number for more information
on the shuttle communicator if anyone cares.   I won't hear the
program again until next Sunday (Oct 6) night.

================================================================
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Rusty Haddock		ARPA:  Haddock%TI-CSL@CSNet-Relay.ARPA
POB 226015 M/S 238	CSNET: Haddock@Ti-CSL
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Dallas, Texas		VOICE: (214) 995-0330
75266

bjorn@dataio.Dataio.UUCP (Bjorn Benson) (10/04/85)

In article <30700033@waltz> haddock@waltz writes:
>Sorry Luis but the software is NOT transmitted on a subcarrier.  It

Sorry Rusty, but there is data transmitted on a subcarrier.  However
it is not software, it is more like Dow Jones numbers and other
real world stuff.  I don't know much more except that (a) its only
in 6? 9? big cities at the moment, and (b) you have to buy a box.

				Bjorn Benson