New version for video4linux extensions released!

Current stable version: 0.5.3, released march 22, 2000.

*** What's new in 0.5.3 ***

- fixed little icon bug - sorry about this one....
- created RPM release for easy distribution and installation

*** What's new in 0.5.2 ***

- buttons remain pressed after selection
- improvements on general use of the program
- bug fix: mute button now resets the original channel
- now available as standard GNU distribution

*** What's new in 0.5.1 ***

- added 4 preset buttons, now 8 presets are available (see the new screenshots!)
- added frequency cycling
- bug fix: application icon in title bar, if missing standard icon is used

*** What's new in 0.5 ***

- big revision: adjusted the program to the video4linux extensions
- improved the tgz packages of 0.4.1.b and 0.5 as a whole
- revision of the Qradio site

Cut the crap - give me the files, now!

Mandrake: qradio-0.5.3-1mdk.i586.rpm

Generic RPM: qradio-0.5.3-1.i386.rpm

You need these two for non Mandrake systems:

Non Mandrake: qradio-0.5.3.tgz (create your own rpm with 'rpm -ta qradio-0.5.3.tgz').
Fmtools: fmtools-0.2.5.tgz (enter 'make devices' to create the devicefiles and 'make' to compile).

Latest news

The RPM release has become reality! Download it now from my site!!

The latest version releases of Qradio will all be for the video4linux extensions, which are included in the 2.2.x kernels. The general interface to this kernel (the fmtools) work for other radio cards as well, so I am looking for people who would like to try Qradio on their non Aztech card. I'ld like to hear about the results.

Qradio in its basic version is almost finished, so I will be working on an RPM release. This RPM will include the icons and the fmtools as well. I'll create the RPM on a Mandrake system, but since Mandrake claims to be 99% compatible with RedHat the RPM should be working on a RedHat as well.

What's this all about

This project originally started because of a lack of programs for the Aztech/Packard Bell radio card and 2.0.x kernels. The latest release of the Qradio program for 2.0.x kernels is 0.4.1b. This release is not being maintained any longer. If you have a 2.0.x kernel and would like to have the Qradio program, go here.

Now only the Qradio program is being maintainted for 2.2.x kernels. The version number for these kernels start at 0.5.

Screenshots of Qradio 0.5.3

..............................

These screenshots were made with The Gimp 1.0.4.

System requirements

- An Intel computer with Linux installed;
- A radio card, connected to your sound card;
- The necessary driver for the radio card, which you have to compile into your kernel (see installation steps below);
- the FM tools programmed by Russel Kroll (included in the RPM package);
- A Linux kernel > 2.2.x ;
- If you want to rebuild: a C++ compiler, like the GNU compiler, and the sources of the QT 1.44 library.

Qradio installation steps for 2.2.x kernels (Mandrake)

Step 1: compile the kernel
Do NOT include the radiocard driver as a module! Say a full 'yes' to the driver, so it's compiled into the kernel itself. Reboot and check the boot sequence. The driver's name should appear, but there is no radio noise though.

Step 2: install the program on a Mandrake system (RPM)
Download my program. You can download it here. Install with 'rpm -i qradio-0.5.3-1mdk.i586.rpm' and you're done. Use the mixer panel of your sound card to adjust volume settings.

Qradio installation steps for 2.2.x kernels (Other systems)

Step 1: compile the kernel
Do NOT include the radiocard driver as a module! Say a full 'yes' to the driver, so it's compiled into the kernel itself. Reboot and check the boot sequence. The driver's name should appear, but there is no radio noise though.

Step 2: install the program on a non-Mandrake system (RPM)
Download my program. You can download it here. Rename the file to 'qradio-0.5.3.tar.gz'. Then, rebuild with 'rpm -ta qradio-0.5.3.tar.gz' and you will find the resulting RPM in your /usr/src/RPM/RPMS directory. Maybe you've to create the SOURCES directory manually, e.g. enter 'mkdir /usr/src/RPM/SOURCES' as root. Also, maybe you have to change the SPEC file to put the application icons at the right place. After the rebuild, install the RPM with 'rpm -i /usr/src/RPM/RPMS/qradio-0.5.3.i386.rpm' if this is the name of the RPM.

Step 3: install the fmtools
Download the fmtools here. Unpack, enter 'make devices' as root to create the necessary device files. Then, enter 'make' and put the resulting executables into a directory which is available in your PATH environment variable (e.g. '/usr/bin'). Now your all set. While X is running, start 'qradio'. Use the mixer panel of your sound card to adjust volume settings.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is this program to be used with the Aztech / Packard Bell card only?
A: No. It uses the fmtools of Russel Kroll, which was written to work with the video4linux extensions. If you have a 2.2.x kernel it's most likely the program will work on your radio card as well.

Q: Why did you change the name of the program to 'Qradio'?
A: The makers of the Qt 1.42 libraries, Troll Tech Inc in Norway, didn't want the 'Qt' part in the name of the program. I'll quote their e-mail: "Qt is a trademark of Troll Tech and we might loose it if we knowingly allow someone else to use the name "Qt". So, I have to kindly ask you to consider finding another name for your program." This is a good reason, of course, so I changed the name to 'Qradio'.

Q: What happened to the volume controls?
A: They were left out of the program on purpose. I never use them myself. The program puts the radio card always to maximum volume. You have to use the sound mixer panel of your sound card to adjust the volume yourself.

Q: Which options are not implemented yet?
A: Well, all options of the radio card can be reached (except for the volume). But some buttons and some minor stuff have to be worked on (see the Wish List below).

Q: Will there be releases for Linux versions other than Mandrake as well?
A: Not especially. The program *should* work on most Linux versions with kernels 2.2.x. It only uses the fm tools. The development on the program was done on a Mandrake 6.1 (kernel 2.2.13). Mandrake claims to be 99% compatible with RedHat, so Qradio *should* work on a RedHat system (version 6.0 or higher).

Q: Is KDE required to run the program?
A: No, not at all. But you do need the Qt libraries though.

Q: Are you an American?
A: No, I'm Dutch. But you know what they say: you're not much when you're not Dutch!

Wishlist

- put your own caption on the preset buttons
- autoscan frequency's
- extra control for KDE desktop panel

Links

The Packard Bell/Aztech FM Radio Card - http://bigbang.vtc.vsc.edu/fmradio/
Video for Linux resouces - http://www.exploits.org/v4l/
Troll Tech - Qt Contribs - http://www.troll.no/qtprogs.html
The K Desktop Environment - http://www.kde.org/

Also visit the Planet Source Code, an award winning site with over 12,000 lines of C and C++ code. Code ranges from one-line snippets to complete programs. Includes a coding contest, hall of fame and a large Visual Basic and Java 'world'.

Bug reports

You can send bug reports to my e-mail address (remove the 'do.not.spam.'-part).

License

The program is freeware and published under the GNU license, as all software shoud be. Use the program at your own risk.

You are visitor number since august 8, 1999.

This page was designed with StarOffice 5.1a for Linux.

Last update november 21, 2005.

© Peter van Eerten.