RadioFeed Setup Instructions

Introduction

RadioFeed contains a Source Client and a Web Server.  RadioFeed gets the audio from the audio input jack, encodes it, and sends it out to the internet.  Optional metadata(text tags) can also be sent.

The Source Client can replace Edcast/Oddcast and SimpleCast type of programs for streaming to RadioReference, Icecast, and ShoutCast servers.

The Web Server is a server and does not require an external server.  It's your very own web site serving a web page and optional audio and/or directories and files.

Setup

Install

Download RadioFeed from the RadioFeed Web Site and follow the prompts.

Notes:

On Win 7 Systems:  It's not recommended to install RadioFeed in the folder: "\Program Files (x86)" as Win 7 will put the configuration and log files in:

"\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\RadioFeed".

This program is designed for the Microsoft 2.0 NET Framework.  During the installation process if it's not installed then it will install automatically.

Metadata Setup - Optional 

Metadata also known as Text Tags.  The text tags are sent along with the audio to the media player.  The media player must be capable of displaying text tags.

Text Tag Source

• Scanner
  • Type - Select the scanner type.
  • Port - Set to the same as the computer port connect to the scanner.
  • Baud Rate - Set to the same as the scanner baud rate.

The green indicator will flash indicating the scanner is communicating with RadioFeed.

• Custom Format: Use the custom format specifiers on the right side to custom format the type of info for the text tags.
• Show Scanning Tag - Check the box and enter in text when the scanner is scanning.
• Another Program Selected In Grid Below - Click on the program appearing in the grid that's capable of putting channel information in the caption/title bar area.
• File - Any text file with channel info.
• None - Will not use text tags.

Text Tags will show at the bottom of RadioFeed.

Audio Setup

For reference, see the excellent articles:

Connecting Radios to Soundcards

Setting up your Broadcasting Station

• Select the Input Sound Device.  In most cases, this will be the Primary Sound Device.
• Select the Mode: Mono or Stereo.  It's recommended when streaming to the public, the mode should be mono.
• Select the Samples Per Second and the mp3 Bitrate.  It’s recommended that these settings be kept at the default settings.  22050 and 16kbps.

Audio Level Adjustment Procedure

It's preferred to have all the level controls up in RadioFeed and the Windows Mixer Line-In / Microphone inputs.  Note that these are attenuation controls only and not amplification controls.  If using a microphone input then that control may need to be lower  There is only one control that should be adjusted and it's the most critical of them all.  It is the radio/scanner audio output level.

• Turn the level control to 100% of the channel that's connected to an audio source otherwise turn down to 0% if there's no audio source connected.
• The line in or mic input setting may need configuring in the Windows Mixer.  Click the Windows Mixer button.
• Tune the radio to a constant channel such as weather or a control channel frequency.
• Turn the radio volume up until you hear saturation and back off about 10%.

The Left and Right level indicators should move with the radio audio if the audio setup is correct.

Source Client Setup

RadioReference Server Type

• Server Type - Select RadioReference.
• Click the RadioReference Auto Configure button.
• Enter your RadioReference User Name and Password.
• Optionally check the Remember Me box.
• Click the Connect button.

The options will fill with data if successfull logging in.

• Click the Connect button.

A successful connection is indicated with a entry to the Status Logging grid "Source Client Connected"

IceCast & ShoutCast Server Type Configuration

• Server Type - Select Icecast2 or ShoutCast
• Server IP Address or Name - The address of the server.
• Server Port - The port that the server is using.
• Stream Name & Description - Any text describing the stream.
• Password - Same that the server is expecting.
• Mount - Same that the server is expecting.
• Click the Connect button

A successful connection is indicated with a entry to the Status Logging grid "Source Client Connected"

Web Server Setup

The Web Server in RadioFeed is a lightweight version of a web server.  A web browser makes a request and the web server sends back a response.  The web server feature can be optioned to serve folders/files and mp3 audio to web browsers.  A password option is provided to prevent unauthorized access to files and folders.

• Server Port - Select any port 1 – 65535.  Don't choose port 80 as many ISP's block that port.
• Web Page Title - The text will appear on the home page.
• Stream Name - The text will appear on the home page.
• Stream Description - The text will appear on the home page.
• Home Page - The text will appear on the home page.
• Comments - The text will appear on the home page.
• Serve Root Folder - Browse to the folder that you attend to serve.  Don't select your computer root directory as the serve folder but create a new folder.
• Serve Live Stream & Stream Info - Check this box if attending to stream audio
• Serve Folders & Files - Check this box if attending to serve a folder with files.
• Password Folders & Files(Optional) - Type in a password to password protect the folder.
• Click the Start button.  Check the status log for errors.  If "Port In Use" message appears, then select another port.

Your router needs to be setup to allow incoming traffic on the port selected and set to TCP.  It may be called Port Forwarding, NAT, Applications, or Port Routing.  Consult your router manual.  The firewall must have the port number added to the exception list for allowing access. 

Testing/Troubleshooting:

• To test if the setup is correct, go to www.canyouseeme.org and enter the same port that you have in the Server Port box.  If it does not see the Web Server then that needs to be resolved first otherwise continue.
• Put in the Local IP address in the browser.  If it does not work that needs to be resolved.
• Put in the outside IP address in the browser.  If it does not work that needs to be resolved.

If you have a dynamic IP address, it will change periodically.  It's recommended that you use a free DNS service like dyndns.com, no-ip.com, or dynip.com where you can choose a name.  If your IP address changes, browsers will still be able to connect to your server using the name.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which scanners does RadioFeed support for the text tags?

Currently the BCD996XT, BCD396XT, BCT15X, BC346XT, BCD996T, BCD396T, BCT15, BR330T, BC796D, BC785D, BC780XLT, BC296D, BC250D, PRO-106, PRO-197, PSR-500, and the PSR-600 scanners.

• How can RadioFeed automatically start streaming after the computer reboots?

Add a RadioFeed shortcut to the Windows Startup Group.  Insure that the option is checked "Start Up - Source Client & Web Server Use Last State When Program Closed".

• How can I stream multiple feeds at the same time?

By running multiple instances of RadioFeed

• How can I run multiple instances of RadioFeed?

Copy and paste an existing RadioFeed folder and rename the new folder using Windows Explorer.

Run RadioFeed from the new folder and change the options and server information specific to that instance.