* **Allowed Feeds:** Conventional public safety dispatch (police, fire, and EMS), amateur radio repeaters, aviation (ATC), marine, railroad, and NOAA weather radio. * **Prohibited Feeds:** Tactical channels, SWAT operations, narcotics investigations, federal agencies (such as the FBI or Secret Service), encrypted communications, and private business frequencies. Feeds that violate these guidelines will be rejected during the application process or suspended after going live. ## Required Hardware and Software To stream a continuous live feed, you need a dedicated hardware setup that can remain powered on and connected to the internet.
* **Radio Receiver:** A police scanner, amateur radio transceiver, or weather radio capable of receiving the frequencies you wish to stream. * **Computer or Streaming Device:** A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux (such as a Raspberry Pi). * **Audio Cable:** A standard 3.5mm male-to-male audio patch cable to connect the radio’s headphone jack to the computer’s line-in or microphone port. * **Ground Loop Isolator (Optional):** A small inline device placed between the radio and the computer. This is highly recommended to eliminate electrical hum or buzzing noises caused by shared power sources. * **Streaming Software:** Free software programs such as RadioFeed (for Windows), ScannerCast (for Windows), or DarkIce (for Linux). ## Step 1: Apply for a Feed You must receive approval from Broadcastify before you can stream. 1. Go to the official Broadcastify website and register for a free account. 2. Navigate to the "Broadcast / Manage a Feed" section and click on "Apply for a Feed." 3. Fill out the application form. You will need to specify your location, the exact frequencies or trunked system you plan to monitor, and the equipment you will use. 4. Submit the application. Broadcastify administration typically reviews and approves applications within 24 to 48 hours.
Once approved, you will receive an email containing your feed's technical details, including the server address, port number, mount point, and unique streaming password. ## Step 2: Connect the Hardware Once your application is approved, set up your physical equipment: 1. Plug one end of the 3.5mm audio cable into the speaker, headphone, or line-out jack of your radio receiver. 2. If you are using a ground loop isolator, connect it to the other end of the cable. 3. Plug the remaining end of the cable (or the isolator output) into the line-in or microphone port of your computer. Line-in is preferred as it handles line-level audio signals better than a microphone port.
## Step 3: Configure the Streaming Software After connecting the hardware, download and configure your streaming software. Using RadioFeed on Windows as a common example: 1. Download and install the software on your computer. 2. Open the program and navigate to the connection settings tab. 3. Select the correct audio input source (the line-in or microphone port where your radio is connected). 4. Enter the server address, port, mount point, and password provided by Broadcastify. 5. Set the audio format. Broadcastify requires MP3 format, typically at a bitrate of 16 kbps to 32 kbps, mono, and a sample rate of 22.05 kHz. This keeps bandwidth usage low while maintaining clear voice quality. 6. Save your settings and click the "Connect" or "Start" button. ## Step 4: Verify Your Stream Status
After starting the software, check the Broadcastify website to ensure your stream is functioning correctly: 1. Log in to your Broadcastify account and go to your feed owner dashboard. 2. Verify that your feed status has changed from "Offline" to "Online." 3. Click on the web player to listen to your stream. 4. Check the audio levels. The audio should be clear, free of excessive static, and loud enough to hear without clipping or distorting. ## Troubleshooting Common Issues * **Excessive Buzzing or Hum:** This is usually a ground loop issue. Ensure you are using a ground loop isolator between the radio and the computer. * **Audio is Too Quiet or Distorted:** Adjust the physical volume knob on your radio receiver. Ideally, set the radio volume to about 25% to 50% and adjust the computer's input volume settings to fine-tune the levels. * **Frequent Disconnections:** Check your computer's power management settings. Ensure the computer and the network adapter are not set to go to sleep or enter power-saving mode.
