UK and Irish Radio Stations broadcasting on the Internet
RadioFeeds directory for Sharpfinned Reciva Radios
We're pleased to bring the first radio directory to Reciva Radios since the Reciva servers were shut down in 2021, rendering many radios useless.
More information on how to install this can be found at https://www.megapico.co.uk/sharpfin/mediaserver.html, who we've partnered with in bringing this service.
Some technical know-how is required if your radio hasn't already been Sharpfinned. Please note that the installation of any third party software is not done without risk and there may be a chance of bricking your radio.
Preparation:
Please check your radio's model and firmware versions against the table at https://www.sharpfin.org/index.php/Radios to make sure if it's worked well in the tests.
A step-by-step guide to the general Sharpfin patching process is available at http://www.sharpfin.org/images/7/7b/PatchingTheRecivaRadio.pdf
It's well worth reading before you commence so you have a rough idea of the
steps required.
The files you require for the patching can be downloaded at http://www.radiofeeds.co.uk/sharpfin/radiopatch.zip.
Unzip everything to the same directory.
If you're using the patch server on Windows, you will need to install Cygwin
beforehand. Download from
http://www.cygwin.com/. (This can be uninstalled once you've got beyond step 3).
You should install to the C:\cygwin\ folder. There have also been reports that the patch server may error out on 64-bit
Windows machines. Please use a 32-bit one if you encounter this same issue.
Installing the Sharpfin patches:
STEP 1:
Download the patch server for Windows or Linux:
https://www.sharpfin.org/index.php?title=Releases#Patchserver
For Windows, alpha test version 0.5 (7 Oct 2007) is recommended. This version, "patchserver.exe",
is already included in the radiopatch.zip file above, so there's no need to download this
(again) if you're using Windows.
Do be reminded, though, that you will need to have installed Cygwin beforehand
if on Windows. See above.
STEP 2:
Follow the instructions in the PDF file above to apply the test patch. This file
is named "sharpfin-test.patch".
If you can display the "Patch testing complete" test message on your radio,
you're well on your way.
STEP 3:
Using the same method above, apply the a) base patch and the b) web server
patches
These patch files are available from the zip file as "sharpfin-base_0.3.patch"
and "sharpfin-www_0.9.install".
(Make sure the complementary .txt files are also present in the directory).
Notice the second file has the extension of ".install". You may need to select
this extension from the drop down box so your patch server doesn't filter this
out in the file listings.
Once done, remember to put your radio back into Auto (DHCP) networking mode.
STEP 4:
Use the newly-installed web interface on your radio to install the Sharpfin
Enhance Pack (https://www.sharpfin.org/index.php/Sharpfin_Enhance_Pack).
In the web GUI, go to "Admin Home" -> "Install Addon" and then point to this
address:
http://www.gforums.de/daten/sharpfin-ep2.install
Wait for the readme to load (this can take about 10 seconds),
then install (click Install at the bottom) and reboot your radio.
STEP 5:
Finally, you'll be installing the Media
Server that provides access to the RadioFeeds directory.
As above, in the web GUI, go to "Admin Home" -> "Install Addon".
But this time point to this
address:
http://www.megapico.co.uk/sharpfin/Sharpfin-media-server-2.1.2.install
Install and reboot your radio as above.
Using the directory:
To use RadioFeeds after Media Server 2.1 is installed on your Reciva Radio, simply let it boot up, ignoring any error messages. When the screen says "Network Error. Port 80 connect failed.", press the Back button three times, then using your radio's navigation buttons/wheel, go to:
Media Player -> UPNP Servers -> Browse radio: 1 -> Stations -> +Feeds -> radiofeeds.co.uk
NOTE: Some radios will go into standby a few seconds after receiving power. Please take the radio out of standby within 60 seconds as the directory may not load if it is left for longer.
Through the menu system, it's tempting to select the UK option, but be reminded to select +Feeds instead.
The stations are sorted alphabetically, initially by UK BBC / commercial stations, followed by Irish RTÉ / commercial stations, and finally UK/Irish community radio stations.
The radio will automatically choose the best quality stream available (except the BBC HLS streams which are limited to 128k due to high CPU loads causing buffering issues), although do note that AAC+ streams will play in a lower quality than usual due to the basic licence-free decoder in use.
After listening to a station, choosing a new station will place it in a queue. To play the new station, you will need to press the Next button (twice if the menu item has not yet timed out). The queue can also be cleared higher up in the menu system under "Media Player".
The station list is cached in your radio. This is refreshed only from a power-on from cold (i.e. having previously been switched off at the wall), so remember to power your radio off completely at least once a week (or as and when) to maintain a fresh station list.
Unfortunately, radio stations being played in Media Player mode cannot be saved to a preset on your radio.
Please do not run more than one patched Reciva Radio on the same network at any one time, as the onboard servers may conflict with each other.