Orange

Orange FM - ROM Manual Version 1.0

Features

Compatibility

Mono Audio Output Through Console SpeakerStereo Audio Through On-Cart Headphone Amp
Original Game Boy (DMG)Yes*Yes
Game Boy Pocket (MGB)Yes*Yes
Game Boy Light (MGL)Yes*Yes
Game Boy Color (CGB)Yes**Yes
Game Boy Advance (AGB)NoYes
Game Boy Advance SP (AGS)NoYes
Super Game BoyYes (Through TV)Yes
Game Boy PlayerNoYes
Analogue PocketNo***Yes
FunnyPlaying GBCNoYes


* Quiet volume
** Loud volume
*** A future firmware update from Analogue may add speaker output

Analogue Pocket

As of Pocket Firmware 2.2, the Analogue Pocket DOES NOT support speaker output for Orange FM. However, I've been in contact with Analogue, and they will release a future firmware update for the Pocket that adds speaker support. When this update happens, you'll want to set the Gain in the Radio Settings to "Analogue". The Pocket requires less output volume from the cart, so without this setting engaged, the output will be very distorted. With "Analogue" selected, the sound output will be excellent. The Analogue Pocket makes a really great portable radio, with loud speaker output!

Sound Output

Orange FM use the audio input pin feature of the early Game Boy models, which allows for mono sound to be passed into the Game Boy through the cartridge header. This means you can use the Game Boy speaker to listen to the radio, no headphones required! This is the main difference between the cheap FM radio perhipherals available in the Game Boy's heyday and Orange FM - while those accessories simply used the Game Boy for power, Orange FM actually uses the Game Boy as the audio amplifier, allowing the speaker to be used!

The cart outputs high quality, but mono, sound to the Game Boy. Each Game Boy will have it's own quirks with the audio amp, depending both on the model (DMG, MGB, CGB), but also on the individual unit. A general rule - the better and less noisy the headphone output is while playing a game, the better and less noisy Orange FM will sound. It's fun to experiment with different Game Boy's and find the one with the sound you prefer.

Orange FM also includes a headphone amplifier as part of the cart's 3.5mm jack. With a pair of headphones plugged into the 3.5mm jack, not only will you get improved reception, but you'll also get stereo sound (with adequate signal strength)! The feature enables Orange FM to be used on Game Boy Advance models (except the Micro of course), as well as the FunnyPlaying GBC and the Analogue Pocket.

Tuner


  • Internal antenna / external antenna

  • Headphone amp engaged

  • Current preset, or other status information

  • Update mode: Off, Sig, Sig + RDS

  • Lights when RDS is currently syncing

  • Signal strength: Signal-to-noise ratio (db)

Controls

Antennas

Internal Antenna

Orange FM has a built-in internal antenna that is used when nothing is inserted into the 3.5mm jack. While it is possible to get decent reception of strong signals, you may find that reception is quite positional - you may need to experiment with the Game Boy's orientation to get the best quality signal.

External Antennas

For best reception, you'll want to have an external antenna connected. You have many options for external antennas, as the antenna circuit is quite flexible. The general rule - the longer the better (at least up to 1.5 meters). The sleeve (ground) of the jack is connected to the antenna circuit, so you can make your own antennas buy wiring speaker cable or similar to a 3.5mm plug. Or you could purchase a 3.5mm aux cable and cut it to length!

Update Modes

Lock

Orange FM has a customizable lock feature, disabling keypad input except for your chosen wake keys. You can even have the display turn off, to save additional power on an original Game Boy display. Additionally, you can assign specific update modes for when the lock is on, allowing you more flexibility. For example, you could have "Sig + RDS" as your normal update mode, then switch to "Off" when you lock the system.

Settings

Controls

Page: General

Page: Radio

Page: Data Sync

Page: Reset Mem

Press A + B to perform a full reset of the cart. This will clear your presets, and set all settings back to their defaults.

Page: Controls

A quick controls reference.

Attributions