[grc] [Stubblefield] Using a digital stream as STL to LPFM transmitter site

[Danny]

If line of sight link means a dedicated internet connection between the 2 locations, then no. This will be an internet link with or without the Barix boxes. Our studio uses Verizon FIOS and the transmitter site Time Warner Roadrunner broadband.

 

From: Stubblefield [mailto:stubblefield-bounces at lists.prometheusradio.org] On Behalf Of Will Floyd
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2016 7:27 PM
To: Stubblefield
Cc: GRC List
Subject: Re: [Stubblefield] Using a digital stream as STL to LPFM transmitter site

 

The Barix boxes are basically little computers that convert analog audio to digital or the opposite. So yes, another little computer like a Raspberry Pi or a big desktop can accomplish those tasks. The benefit of the Barix boxes is that they are easy to set up, and cheaper than other broadcast quality CODECs.

 

It's unclear from your email if you are using a line of sight link or the Internet to connect your studio to the transmitter. Generally, a line of sight link is more desirable because it is a more direct path that is immune to problems with the wider Internet and more secure. It's worth noting that if you are using the Internet for the connection it might be worth looking into a CODEC with some additional features.

 

On Thu, Sep 29, 2016 at 5:09 PM, Danny <danny at wspj.org> wrote:

Our LPFM transmitter site is 6+ miles from our studio without a clean line-of-sight because of hills. So, to save time and money, we’ve been expecting to use a pair of Barix boxes to move a digital stream from our studio to our transmitter.  But a couple of our key people think we can skip using one or both Barix boxes.

 

Specifically, the person who maintains the Icecast server that hosts our webcast feels confident he can create a second private stream of much higher quality that can take the place of the need for a Barix box at the studio end and another person thinks we can use a “headless internet radio player” on a Raspberry Pi instead of a Barix box at the transmitter site. He’s looking at https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43108  especially noting this setup has auto-run upon reboot, which is what we want. This is a key person of ours with lots of experience using the Raspberry Pi.

 

Are one or both of them missing something with these suggestions? Will these be viable and reliable ways to avoid paying $1,200 for a pair of Barix boxes?

 

Thanks!

Danny

WSPJ-LP Syracuse NY


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-- 

Will Floyd
Technical Director | Prometheus Radio Project
 <mailto:will at prometheusradio.org> will at prometheusradio.org | 215.727.9620 x524