ViaRadio Receiver Detects Invalid Source Signals, Mutes Translators

viaRadio Corp. said its RD10 RDS Receiver now can automatically detect invalid source FM signals and mute translators that have been “hijacked” from capture of Part 15 rebroadcast devices for satellite radio, MP3 players and pirate stations or atmospheric skip.
This feature, which the company says also is available on viaRadio’s RDS decoders, works by monitoring the RDS ID code of the source signal and closing a relay contact to disable the translator if the ID code is missing or different.
“The recent popularity of Part 15 FM devices has raised concerns among translator operators that such signals could be rebroadcast inadvertently by them,” the company stated. “viaRadio has added this functionality as a result of the numerous requests it received both before and during the NAB2006 show.”
The unit retails for $395.
The company sells RDS encoders, decoders and receivers and an Emergency Warning System using RDS clock-radios.