- AM Radio Trick for Monochrome Calculators Information
- 19 Aug 2018 09:54:49 pm
- Last edited by LAX18 on 20 Aug 2018 09:00:02 am; edited 2 times in total
I did not see a thread for this, so I thought I would create one!
Overview
The AM Radio trick is a method of playing sounds on your monochrome calculator. I am uncertain as to what models support this method, but it is in my current understanding that all monochrome calcs (at least the TI83 line) support. All of the tests I have done were with my TI83+ and Omnicalc.
Instead of using the link port, this trick involves using an old radio. You place the antenna near the back of the calculator and using compatible programs, you can play sounds using your calculator.
This trick takes advantage of a chip inside of the calculator. You are able to "hear" the chip as the electromagnetic waves that are produced by it can be picked up by a scanner of radio.
My findings
I have a Uniden BC75XLT scanner that is capable of picking up radio frequencies anywhere from 25 Mhz to 500 Mhz. I did some testing on what frequencies came in the clearest and this is what I found.
You can use this with a normal radio, in my experiance the clearest signal was found on 89 Mhz on the FM band. Strangely enough, the trick is names AM, yet I get music on the FM band.
For non-traditional bands, I found the clearest to be found on the Amateur Band and TV Low VHF Band. This encompasses frequencies from 50 Mhz to 54 Mhz for the Amateur Band and 54 Mhz to 88 Mhz for TV Low VHF Band. This correlates with the 89 Mhz reading on a normal FM radio.
As for hotspots as I call them, specific frequencies where sound can be picked up the easiest, I found a few, mostly around 50 Mhz. I made a nice little chart below with my findings:
Frequency:
50.015 Mhz This is the first frequency that sound was discernible
50.030 Mhz
50.115 Mhz
50.200 Mhz
50.265 Mhz - No sound, just backgound of chip
50.285 Mhz
50.370 Mhz
50.625 Mhz - Very Clear
50.715 Mhz - Very Clear
Thats about it. There are a few more scattered around, but these will (should) deliver a good result. It is important to note that the chip was never designed to transmit on FM frequencies so it is possible that it is on a per calc basis. I imcluded the TV Low VHF band as a result.
It is also important to note that interference is detected as far up as 122.8 (possibly higher) in the Aircraft Band. This is interesting, and leads one to believe that interference like this is why phones are prohibited during take off and landing.
I just found this interesting and wanted to share.
Overview
The AM Radio trick is a method of playing sounds on your monochrome calculator. I am uncertain as to what models support this method, but it is in my current understanding that all monochrome calcs (at least the TI83 line) support. All of the tests I have done were with my TI83+ and Omnicalc.
Instead of using the link port, this trick involves using an old radio. You place the antenna near the back of the calculator and using compatible programs, you can play sounds using your calculator.
This trick takes advantage of a chip inside of the calculator. You are able to "hear" the chip as the electromagnetic waves that are produced by it can be picked up by a scanner of radio.
My findings
I have a Uniden BC75XLT scanner that is capable of picking up radio frequencies anywhere from 25 Mhz to 500 Mhz. I did some testing on what frequencies came in the clearest and this is what I found.
You can use this with a normal radio, in my experiance the clearest signal was found on 89 Mhz on the FM band. Strangely enough, the trick is names AM, yet I get music on the FM band.
For non-traditional bands, I found the clearest to be found on the Amateur Band and TV Low VHF Band. This encompasses frequencies from 50 Mhz to 54 Mhz for the Amateur Band and 54 Mhz to 88 Mhz for TV Low VHF Band. This correlates with the 89 Mhz reading on a normal FM radio.
As for hotspots as I call them, specific frequencies where sound can be picked up the easiest, I found a few, mostly around 50 Mhz. I made a nice little chart below with my findings:
Frequency:
50.015 Mhz This is the first frequency that sound was discernible
50.030 Mhz
50.115 Mhz
50.200 Mhz
50.265 Mhz - No sound, just backgound of chip
50.285 Mhz
50.370 Mhz
50.625 Mhz - Very Clear
50.715 Mhz - Very Clear
Thats about it. There are a few more scattered around, but these will (should) deliver a good result. It is important to note that the chip was never designed to transmit on FM frequencies so it is possible that it is on a per calc basis. I imcluded the TV Low VHF band as a result.
It is also important to note that interference is detected as far up as 122.8 (possibly higher) in the Aircraft Band. This is interesting, and leads one to believe that interference like this is why phones are prohibited during take off and landing.
I just found this interesting and wanted to share.