Finny: A Linux Frontend for the RadioSHARK2

Finny is a Linux front-end for the RadioSHARK2 AM/FM usb receiver, intended for in-auto "carputer" or automobile-PC applications. It can also be used on home PCs and workstations, however. It is Qt4 based, with Gstreamer based audio capture, and some ALSA calls.

Finny is currently under development. Contact: oneil.code@gmail.com


Screenshots:

Its HID interface to the radioSHARK2 is largely based upon the execellent work of:
Michael Rolig
Hisaaki Shibata
Kawabe

The project is in the mid-to-late coding stages. I anticipate a first release at the end of 2009.

Finny was put together with the following objectives:
Simple. The Code should be as small as it possibly can be.
As much as possible, it should be based upon standard Qt widgets.
A person driving should be able to use it.
The buttons ought to be large and easily found.
Some small safety features ought to prevent the user from pressing "dangerous" buttons, like "erase preset" and "record."
The text ought to be large, friendly and easily readable.
The application ought to be usable when presented fullscreen on a small auto-pc screen of say 600x400.
Finny will not be a general media player.
It will only play back live audio from the RadioSHARK2 device.
Finny will be able to record live audio to mp3 format for playback on another application or device.

Currently, finny can do the following:
Control RadioSHARK2 fully, setting AM and FM frequencies.
Step (quickly or slowly) over frequencies.
Save presets, and load the presets at startup.
Play live captured AM/FM audio.
Record live captured AM/FM audio to mp3 format.
Visualize live audio using the Gstreamer "monoscope" plugin.