RxRTCtrl.DLL allows access to the AIMS RadioTrack FM radio card through a set of APIs. A sample REXX script is included to show how the card is controlled. You can modify this script to your own liking or you can use a visual REXX application generator like Vispro/REXX and create a cool-looking radio program of your own. If you do, return the favor and consider making it available to the OS/2 community as freeware or shareware.

RxRTCtrl.DLL is a REXX-callable DLL and I'm quite sure C/C++ can access the functions too, so you could create a cool-looking C/C++ radio program with skin capabilities (user changeable look), scanning for stations, preset stations, clock functions, you name it. RxRTCtrl.DLL may be distributed royalty free with your programs.

To use this DLL, you need the inexpensive AIMS RadioTrack FM radio card widely available at computer stores or at www.aimslab.com. There are two versions of this card. The older model has a built-in amplifier and connects directly to a set of speakers. This card also has a programmable volume setting supported by the rxRTCtrl API. The newer card does not have an amplifier or volume setting and must be connected to your sound cards Line-In connector. Currently, the rxRTCtrl API does not have a volume setting for this new card. You must use your own mixer that supports your sound card to set the volume of the Line-In connector. If all goes well, future upgrades to this DLL will include an API to set the volume for most sound cards supported by OS/2.

Because the older and newer RadioTrack cards have a different command protocol, rxRTCtrl distinguishes between them by using the letters RT2 in the function call. For example, RT1Freq is used to set the frequency for the older card, RT2Freq will set the frequency for the newer cards.

You need to know that rxRTCtrl uses TESTCFG.SYS, a generic device driver standard to every OS/2 Warp 3.0 and 4.0 system. Installing and using rxRTCtrl does in most cases not require to reboot the computer as TESTCFG.SYS is installed by default on every Warp system.

If you have any suggestions about rxRTCtrl, please let us know.