Any other use for these pre-tuned subcarrier receivers (Target Tuner model FTJ-100) now that Golden Hours is gone? Can they be retuned?

Golden Hours hasn't been on SCA since about 2001 (if I remember right) and since it has broken off from OPB, I doubt the receiver could be returned. In short, it's probably yours now. ;o)

I don't know about the receiver's particular architecture (I hadn't even heard of "Target Tuner" until now) but if it's anything like that of the old Compols or McMartins, it's likely a crystal-tuned system, like how the old CB radios were years ago. (I could be completely wrong and it might even be a microchip-tuned radio with an internal variable capacitor like a regular radio!) You could probably tune it for other SCAs here (see my list below) or some other market, like the Evergreen RRS in Seattle (KUOW-67) or Spokane (KPBX-67).

Just FYI, here is a list of all the SCA stations currently operating around here (that I can pick up, anyways)~

88.3/92 (KBVM) something in Russian or some other Slavic language
89.1/92 (KMHD) Vietnamese (was Jazz until a couple of weeks ago)
90.7/67 (KBOO) FM Korea (comes out of Beaverton)
90.7/92 (KBOO) Vietnamese
96.1/92 (KXXO Olympia, WA) teletype

We have competing Vietnamese stations? Now, there's something I never would have guessed!

Yes! That came as a surprise to me as well, when I turned it on one morning expecting to hear jazz and instead heard Vietnamese! Not only are they both on the same SCA frequency (92) but they are practically right next door to each other!

I haven't been able to recognise any sort of station ID yet, tho........I might run upstairs soon and get one of my radios and listen a while.

I wonder what the data format is on KXXO's teletype. (Not that I could receive it here, just curious.)

I don't know, really. I have tried running it through MMTTY but I have only gotten random garbage text.

I'm guessing it must be some Baudot coding that I would need to run through a TDD device, or something like that. Looks like I might have to start combing Goodwill again..... ;o)

(For the record, KMHD had a similar-sounding data transmission on its 92 channel up until about three years ago.)

I don't think you need to look at Goodwill for a TDD device to decode Baudot RTTY. There is some software out there that will handle it and I think that MultiPSK is one of those programs. That might explain why KXXO dropped RDS quite some years ago. The last time I say them using it was about eight years ago. KXXO is extremely strong where I am, so strong in fact their signal overloads all lower performing radio receivers.

KXXO's practically right in your backyard, isn't it? ;o)

I can actually receive it all the way down to Clackamas on my Kenwood in the truck. At the apartment (some 20 miles north, more or less) it comes in so-so on my stereo and the SCA radios, using an outdoor antenna. (Yeah, it's really a UHF yagi mounted in a bucket of concrete sitting on my balcony--oh well.) I should try using a better antenna: particularly one designed for VHF FM reception............

At least with a TDD, I can take it with me other places where I wouldn't be using the laptop, or wouldn't have it with me. Does MultiPSK use the sound card's line-in like how MMTTY and PSK31 both do?

MultiPSK does use your computer's soundcard just like MMTTY and Digipan along with other RTTY programs. And right, KXXO is pretty much in my back yard actually their transmitter site is on a hill near Ike Kinswa State Park which is close to Toledo and Mossyrock.

>>There is some software out there that will handle it and I think that MultiPSK is one of those programs. That might explain why KXXO dropped RDS quite some years ago.<<

The reason KXXO dropped RDS is because it was reducing signal levels in parts of its main coverage area. It's a weird situation - you can pick it up in Clackamas, but when you drive through the Nisqually delta, the signal goes to crap.

It won't be in your backyard much longer. They're moving to the Olympic Peninsula to accomodate 96.3 in West Linn.

I read about that and I must say it is somewhat of a relief but the problem is that I might loose KXXO if the projected pattern is correct in the real world. This means that my receivers will not overload when the antenna is pointed north as the nearest FM station will be KITI 95.1 on Buckhorn Mtn near Winlock.

For me, on the Kenwood it usually drops down to mono by the time I hit the Powell overpass, going down 205. Generally by the time I hit Wilsonville it's completely gone to static.....and it's usually at that point that I slip whatever CD I had recorded the night before into the slot. ;o)

Driving around in West Portland (I-5) it comes in alright, except in mono and the K-Love translator on 96.3 splatters all over it. On the other hand, I have been able to copy it clearly going down the Sunset all the way out to Seaside, stopping mid-way at Camp 18 for coffee. ;o) Possibly the only place around here (aside from the Olympia area, natch) where I have been able to attain a (perceptually) 100% static-less copy of KXXO would have to be Astoria.

Semoochie: when will they be moving?

KXXO is still at the application stage and held up by the authorization of the West Linn station, which is held up by an objection from another party. It appears to be the same type filed against KNRQ, which was denied and the application granted. I don't think it will be much longer for the West Linn station unless they have to get Canadian clearance first and that should take about a year. KXXO will probably require Canadian clearance since they're moving closer to the Canadian border.

Make a bet here that the "teletype" is transmitter telemetry. You will get garbage unless you have the software or the studio half of the remote control.

Bill--That is what I was thinking last night, shortly after I posted my reply.

What I have always thought of that particular method of telemetry is: why bother? If the main transmitter goes down the SCA will likely go off-air with it!

On the other hand, there's always the possibility of an Internet outage (e.g. if the station remotely monitors via TCPIP) but I'm not going to get into that... ;o)

I wonder if anybody has developed freeware that can decode those types of feeds, possibly using the sound card?

I don't think there is any software out there that will decode the SCA teletype signal free or otherwise. That seems like a logical reason for KXXO to drop RDS as I heard that in some cases certain SCA transmissions can reduce the coverage area of FM stations. If and when KXXO moves north I don't think I will loose them now as a recent project was to install a Radioshack VU190XR rooftop antenna for the purpose of receiving Portland and Seattle TV. Currently I have an Accurian HD Radio receiver along with three TV sets hooked up to the thing through a distribution amplifier and at this very moment Star 102.3 from Eugene about 200 miles away is coming in very nicely with little to no static.

The "software" is proprietary to the remote control system being used. Using an SCA is the cheapest method in the long run to get your data back. No monthly phone line or internet charges. And it could be used as a backup link even if you do use dedicated circuits normally.