# Radio Data System (RDS) **URL:** \ **Category:** General Radio and Digital\ **Created:** [December 28, 2015, 7:43am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237 "2015-12-28T07:43:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 159
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 8:47am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3186 "2023-07-19T08:47:31Z")
> [@Contrillion](#): > > Small update to this one that I’ve added to the spreasheet, with my TEF6686 I can see this station is broadcasting PTY 3 ‘Information’ and PI 3995, which is the same pattern as most of the other Geelong region stations but unfortunately also used by TRFM in Gippsland on the same frequency. 👍 Awesome. Given that Sale is on the same frequency Geelong, the same PI shouldn’t cause too much of an issue except for vehicle travellers between Geelong & Sale & visa versa where the stored PS might incorrectly display for a while with PI first detected until signal strong enough for PS & RT etc to update to actual station heard. Always nice for dxers to have a unique PI, but programming is quite distinctive between the two stations for dx IDing. Interesting that TRFM Bairnsdale in the RDS list has a PI of 3999 rather than 3995. I assume if correct that TRFM management didn’t want automatic frequency switching to occur for travellers between Sale & Bairnsdale? I also added the PI code & info to the PI worksheet (#11) I’m going to have to grab myself one of these TEF6686 receivers in future for both dxing & RDS curiosities. Have you @Contrillion tried the latest firmware? I believe it adds a whole heap more RDS labels/info. ---
**Author:** ![Contrillion](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/contrillion/32/338403_2.png) [@Contrillion](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Contrillion)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 1:19am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3187 "2023-07-20T01:19:00Z")
> [@ozbark](#): > > Have you @Contrillion tried the latest firmware? I believe it adds a whole heap more RDS labels/info. My unit shipped with [this fork](https://github.com/NoobishSVK/TEF6686-remastered) of the firmware, but I did see the new release shows some extra details such as CT etc. so likely it’ll be getting flashed to my radio soon. For ref, I currently get PTY, PS, PI and scrolling RT on the ‘Remastered’ firmware v1.21: ![DSC08418](https://mediaspy-org-s3.s3.dualstack.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/original/4X/9/f/6/9f64e9e9bdfcc68092fefa22817bacb88ad06aca.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![dxnerd](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/dxnerd/32/404112_2.png) [@dxnerd](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/dxnerd)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 2:53am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3188 "2023-07-20T02:53:40Z")
I have v 1.2.1 as well. The TEF brings new meaning to the term ‘pocket rocket’. I’ve ordered some longer (and more robust) whip antennae for it, too. ---
**Author:** ![Rob2144](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Rob2144](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Rob2144)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2023, 2:11am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3189 "2023-07-21T02:11:01Z")
![IMG_4209](https://mediaspy-org-s3.s3.dualstack.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/original/4X/0/8/0/080bad099cb10b77af65a806e51cfef48b8ebac0.jpeg) 89.5 Triple J RDS from Buderim ---
**Author:** ![tamago\_otoko](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/tamago_otoko/32/488237_2.png) [@tamago\_otoko](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/tamago_otoko)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2023, 12:55pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3190 "2023-07-21T12:55:17Z")
Noted in my recent trip up to Cairns that there is an LPON on 88FM called Rhythm FM with the PS ‘[rhythm]’. Coverage seemed pretty good in the car at the airport. ---
**Author:** ![dxnerd](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/dxnerd/32/404112_2.png) [@dxnerd](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/dxnerd)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2023, 1:15pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3191 "2023-07-21T13:15:20Z")
There’s a new community station at Port Douglas called ‘Douglas FM’. I discovered this one on Radio Garden. It’s on 101.5 MHz. Not sure if you received this one or whether it’s running RDS? ---
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2023, 11:54pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3192 "2023-07-21T23:54:35Z")
> [@tamago\_otoko](#): > > Noted in my recent trip up to Cairns that there is an LPON on 88FM called Rhythm FM with the PS ‘[rhythm]’ This is a rename of the broadcaster that was once known as ‘Orbit FM’ with some LPON licences in Victoria. Odd that they use brackets in their PS to enclose the station name. > [@dxnerd](#): > > There’s a new community station at Port Douglas called ‘Douglas FM’. A TCBL. I see on their website one of their announcers is Paul Makin, the man behind the establishment of FAB FM until its presumed closure. ---
**Author:** ![Ant5476](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@Ant5476](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Ant5476)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3193 "2023-07-21T23:55:29Z")
Noticed this morning they have changed the RDS station name from Fine Music to 2MBS. ---
**Author:** ![Radiohead](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/radiohead/32/21429_2.png) [@Radiohead](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Radiohead)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 12:12am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3194 "2023-07-22T00:12:11Z")
Good move I think… Always thought **FineMus** looked a bit odd. ---
**Author:** ![Contrillion](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/contrillion/32/338403_2.png) [@Contrillion](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Contrillion)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 4:25am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3195 "2023-07-22T04:25:16Z")
Two new RDS entries for Colac, Victoria on the spreadsheet. Faith FM LPON on 88.4. Community station 3OCR on 98.3. ---
**Author:** ![dxnerd](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/dxnerd/32/404112_2.png) [@dxnerd](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/dxnerd)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 4:32am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3196 "2023-07-22T04:32:22Z")
> [@Contrillion](#): > > Faith FM LPON on 88.4. Odd frequency choice. I thought all the LPONs above 88 MHz were restacked on or below 88 MHz (i.e., the ‘proper’ LPON band) after the closure of Band II TV? There’s an 88.4 with religious content that I sometimes pick up via skip, though that one is in Queensland somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Contrillion](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/contrillion/32/338403_2.png) [@Contrillion](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Contrillion)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 4:34am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3197 "2023-07-22T04:34:42Z")
There are a couple oddballs left on 88.4. The other one I’ve picked up is a Vision station in Euroa. EDIT: The Euroa station is an oddity in itself, in that it has only gone to air the last few years (c. 2020). Definitely no RDS the last time I checked a couple months ago. ---
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 1:06pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3198 "2023-07-22T13:06:01Z")
> [@tamago\_otoko](#): > > Noted in my recent trip up to Cairns that there is an LPON on 88FM called Rhythm FM with the PS ‘[rhythm]’. Coverage seemed pretty good in the car at the airport. Curiosity got the better of me tonight & I was wondering where this service might being transmitted from re your airport reception. I think there are two candidates. 1. A registration at Mt.Yarrabah at elevation of 570m. That would provide extraordinary coverage if it is indeed transmitting from there. 2. And there’s a site north of the airport at Yorkeys Knob where there appears to be a vertical whip that could possibly transmitting the 88FM service at that elevated site with height of 59m. [Google Maps](https://goo.gl/maps/hCuJYU6XMzn34pjs9) ---
**Author:** ![dxnerd](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/dxnerd/32/404112_2.png) [@dxnerd](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/dxnerd)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2023, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3199 "2023-07-22T13:51:10Z")
Yorkeys Knob was the site of my 2019 DXpedition. I specifically chose it for the elevation above water (for MW DX). ---
**Author:** ![tamago\_otoko](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/tamago_otoko/32/488237_2.png) [@tamago\_otoko](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/tamago_otoko)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 6:55am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3200 "2023-07-23T06:55:31Z")
If it’s the Mt Yarrabah site that would indeed do an excellent job, it looks over most of Cairns City. Sadly I only discovered it on my last day (literally as I was returning the hire car before flying out) so didn’t have a chance to explore more. Coverage was consistently good around the airport and on approach though. ---
**Author:** ![anon71206228](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/e9a140/32.png) [@anon71206228](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/anon71206228)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:41am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3201 "2023-07-25T01:41:32Z")
I had that old problem of trying to tune an RDS saved station on the car radio & getting a different one again on the way home yesterday afternoon. I was driving North up the M1 out of Sydney & at the top of the big dipper, went to change stations to Star 104.5 & FBI came on, same issue as the others, tuner is only looking at the last 2 digits in the PI code & they are both the same, so it tunes the strongest signal station. I might talk to the Star104.5 program director/local tech & get him to change theirs to have a A in it such as 245A or push FBI to change theirs? ---
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 6:13am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3202 "2023-07-25T06:13:46Z")
> [@anon71206228](#): > > I might talk to the Star104.5 program director/local tech & get him to change theirs to have a A in it such as 245A or push FBI to change theirs? I’ve had a long scan through Worksheet 11 (PI Code Sheet) of our RDS List & I could only find one other station with a PI code ending in 5A, that being YFM Warnambool, Vic so 245A looks like a good choice (_baring any other local one bit difference PI codes_) for either Star FM or FBi. It may (or may not?) be easier to enact a PI code change from Star FM, but that said FBi already has the same PI code as 2EC & it would be better for FBi to change to 245A. 2EC had their PI code first. I had an instance where I was travelling in a vehicle in Sydney listening to 2EC via tropo dx reception & the tuner automatically switched to FBi, as you’d expect with identical PI codes in main reception area of FBi. Good luck with your comms with Star &/or FBi. BTW the Star tech may be a part timer. ---
**Author:** ![anon71206228](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/e9a140/32.png) [@anon71206228](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/anon71206228)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 8:54am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3203 "2023-07-25T08:54:18Z")
The Star program director is local & full time, he also does minor tech work & sets the audio processing for the station, he’s also the PD for the Nova DAB stations. Star is Engineered with major tech jobs done out of & by Nova Sydney techs though. ---
**Author:** ![gordo92](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gordo92](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/gordo92)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 11:20am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3204 "2023-07-25T11:20:42Z")
> [@anon71206228](#): > > he also does minor tech work & sets the audio processing for the station Yeah Shane is pretty cool I am sure he would be happy to help you out ---
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2023, 11:13pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3205 "2023-07-26T23:13:01Z")
Noted this morning that 88.5 2RRR have changed their PI code from 28 **85** to **288C**. Thinking about this change & @anon71206228 recent RDS switching problem I’m suspecting there was a RDS switching problem affecting 2RRR. Looking through our RDS list I’ve found a possible candidate in Radio 2OOO with their PI code of 29 **85**. Were you across this problem @anon71206228 re your work with Radio 2OOO’s transmitter? I think 2RRR’s new PI code of 288C should be okay. Looking at our RDS List I am wondering if it’s possible to create another RDS worksheet that provides a sorted PI code list based solely on just the 3rd & 4th digits of PI codes provided on Worksheet 11. This would help technicians avoid or solve PI code conflict problems. I probably need to study Google Sheets coding to figure this out. Any ideas? [Previous page](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237.md?page=158) [Next page](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237.md?page=160)