# 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:** 174
**Author:** ![AustralianAerial](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/australianaerial/32/427176_2.png) [@AustralianAerial](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/AustralianAerial)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 7:14am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3488 "2024-01-04T07:14:15Z")
Only xx43 code I can think of remotely nearby is Triple M Gippsland - not impossible but very unlikely? ---
**Author:** ![captaincupcake](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/captaincupcake/32/455912_2.png) [@captaincupcake](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/captaincupcake)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 9:00am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3489 "2024-01-04T09:00:41Z")
I’m not an RDS expert but this intrigued me being pretty close to the transmitter so I’ve had a look on my SDR dongle and RDS Spy- it appears 100.9 NewsRadio is definitely sending out a PI code but it is either extremely weak and not being decoded properly or something else is going amiss as the PI code changed every minute or so. I’ve attached a couple of RDS Spy files for anyone who might have more knowledge or insight (hope this works). > **[\---- - 2024-01-04 19-44-46.spy](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TAcrpCAnkkZlub8TpllMugN_CSSvrWnY/view?usp=drive_link)** > > Google Drive file. > **[\---- - 2024-01-04 19-49-21.spy](https://drive.google.com/file/d/10MZ5uRO03BaLx7qs8F6dET2c1u_jKhvk/view?usp=drive_link)** > > Google Drive file. ---
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 9:56am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3490 "2024-01-04T09:56:39Z")
> [@captaincupcake](#): > > I’m not an RDS expert but this intrigued me being pretty close to the transmitter so I’ve had a look on my SDR dongle and RDS Spy- it appears 100.9 NewsRadio is definitely sending out a PI code but it is either extremely weak and not being decoded properly or something else is going amiss as the PI code changed every minute or so. Thanks for doing this @captaincupcake . It is intriguing. Yes two different PI codes (A6DC & D389) & unusual Group code. Looks like garbage… I suspect some kind of **non RDS** subcarrier being detected at 57kHz MPX of tuner/s as being output on the 100.9MHz transmitter of Newsradio, in the vicinity of 57kHz. What will definitely help me is either some snap shots or short video of the SDR’s MPX spectrum of 100.9 Newsradio Albury, as viewed with SDR# or SDR Console. I want to see if it’s a properly formed RDS subcarrier. If you can do this showing with plenty of Y (MPX amplitude) axis & displaying X axis from 0kHz up to around 92kHz+ if possible & as clean & strong as possible signal? Doing so might get us closer to solving the mystery. One other question. What is the BER of RDS Spy showing on 100.9MHz? ---
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 10:05am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3491 "2024-01-04T10:05:56Z")
BTW Whilst we got you there @captaincupcake Any chance of RDS Spy decodes of: 98.5 The Light, 101.7 2APH & 88.0 Faith FM - Albury/Wodonga when you have free time? We’re missing their PI, PTY & Group Code data from our Aussie RDS List. Something else caught my attention looking at the tuner screen pic of @aaaaplay I see 2REM listed with a PTY of Talk. There’s no specific PTY (EU) code for ‘TALK’, but there is for PTY (US) re (PTY4 - Talk). Last time PTY of 2REM was recorded it had a PTY of ‘Varied’. Some tuners/radios use their own descriptors of PTY codes rather than strictly adhering to the RDS PTY standard description. Sometimes you see this as Varied Speech. Maybe ‘Talk’ is another alternative that some tuner manufacturers adopt 🤷‍♂️ I think some stations use varied (PTY 9) to describe varied programming, varied genre of music & so on. All somewhat ambiguous… The inconsistency with radio/tuner manufacturers to use appropriate & consistent standard PTY descriptors might well be the reason for MediaWorks NZ changing all their RDS PTY for all their FM RDS stations to ‘None’ in 2023. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![captaincupcake](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/captaincupcake/32/455912_2.png) [@captaincupcake](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/captaincupcake)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 11:43am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3492 "2024-01-04T11:43:17Z")
> [@ozbark](#): > > What will definitely help me is either some snap shots or short video of the SDR’s MPX spectrum of 100.9 Newsradio Albury, as viewed with SDR# or SDR Console. Snapshot below of the 100.9 MPX spectrum, nothing much on 57khz I can see. ![image](https://mediaspy-org-s3.s3.dualstack.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/original/4X/3/5/1/351628b213cb0b9cd797516b1ee014fcb8142c41.png) If it also helps, when I get a Group Count it’s usually at the rate of one or two per minute. Perfectly formed example of the RDS subcarrier from 101.7 2APH for comparison. ![image](https://mediaspy-org-s3.s3.dualstack.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/original/4X/a/8/b/a8b21d461b6820e96eb49a81488185b521772d25.png) > [@ozbark](#): > > One other question. What is the BER of RDS Spy showing on 100.9MHz? BER shows no sync to begin and then 0% when it decodes something. > [@ozbark](#): > > 98.5 The Light, 101.7 2APH & 88.0 Faith FM - Albury/Wodonga when you have free time? 2APH- PI 2017, PTY Code 0 98.5 The Light-PI 8803, PTY Code 0 2REM- PI 207D, PTY Code 9 [Varied] 88.0 Faith FM- PI FA1F (I see what they did there!), PTY Code 20 [Religion] Hope this helps 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gordo92](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gordo92](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/gordo92)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 2:00pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3493 "2024-01-04T14:00:44Z")
Given News Radio TX is either a Harris or R&S TX, both of which don’t have In-Built RDS, it wouldn’t be generating RDS Also RDS injection is only been done in places where the RDS can be striped from DAB and added to the FM service ---
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 10:31pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3494 "2024-01-04T22:31:49Z")
> [@captaincupcake](#): > > If it also helps, when I get a Group Count it’s usually at the rate of one or two per minute. Yes it definitely helped 👍, as did the MPX spectrum (especially with the yellow peak graph line), along with “_BER shows no sync to begin and then 0% when it decodes something_.” It seems like you’ve opened the bandwidth of 100.9MHz out beyond 120kHz to ensure a RDS subcarrier would be captured (though I can’t be 100% sure), therefore I’d have to assume that it’s just some erroneous noise or occasional adjacent channel noise that it causing an occasional false RDS detection. It’s difficult to know from here. 🤷‍♂️ Per additional research from @Informer probably the vehicle of @aaaaplay has either been in Turkey or fortuitously received Pal Doga 100.9FM whilst in Europe presumably soon after its manufacturing & during test run? The above explanation 🤔 🙂 is the best I can do for the moment. > [@captaincupcake](#): > > 2APH- PI 2017, PTY Code 0 > 98.5 The Light-PI 8803, PTY Code 0 > 2REM- PI 207D, PTY Code 9 [Varied] > 88.0 Faith FM- PI FA1F (I see what they did there!), PTY Code 20 [Religion] > > Hope this helps 🙂 It does 🙂 👏 Thank you, awesome work. 👍 I wonder when 98.5 TheLight is changing frequencies to 98.3MHz? ---
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3495 "2024-01-05T00:21:59Z")
Noted this morning that Connect FM 100.9 2BAC has reinstated their RDS RT Song Title/Artist info. And other RT msg change. 11:16:38 Connect FM - Connecting The Community 11:16:59 Music and Entertainment For The Holidays 11:17:20 Now Playing: Bruce Springsteen - Hungry Heart Still no RT+ although the appropriate RDS group codes are there. **Late UPDATE:** I’ve become convinced from monitoring over several weeks that there’s now two different RDS RT feeds for CONNECT FM. The occasional one (above) that displays Song Artist/Title info along with two other RT messages. This might be when studio is live (unverified) & the usual one below:- 20:56:26 Connecting The Community - 100.9 CONNECT FM 20:56:48 Community Radio for Bankstown and Auburn 20:57:08 www.connectfm.au ---
**Author:** ![aaaaplay](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@aaaaplay](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/aaaaplay)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2024, 2:16pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3496 "2024-01-06T14:16:07Z")
> [@ozbark](#): > > Per additional research from @Informer probably the vehicle of @aaaaplay has either been in Turkey or fortuitously received Pal Doga 100.9FM whilst in Europe presumably soon after its manufacturing & during test run? > > The above explanation 🤔 🙂 is the best I can do for the moment. Thanks for the replies and research everyone. I’ve got a current shape Skoda Octavia Mk4 with Volkswagen Group’s MIB3 system - same as the Golf 8, Audi A3, Cupra Leon, and many more. You can read a detailed explanation on the system functions with schematics etc: [https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10189329-0001.pdf](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10189329-0001.pdf) But I was playing around with a coding tool and turned ‘PI Ignore’. That probably allowed the system to match the PI code to the radio logo database (created by [Radiostar.de](http://Radiostar.de) for VAG) stored in the car which then displayed the PAL DOGA name. By unfavouriting the station and performing a soft reset of the infotainment system the name disappeared. This was BEFORE turning the Ignore PI setting back on. So my best guess is that 100.9 was broadcasting out a PI code (or something misinterpreted as one by my car) briefly but that has stopped sometime in the last two weeks. For the record the PAL DOGA name appeared about a month ago. Side note - I also found options to enable an FM DRM band - interesting considering the trial in Wangaratta. ---
**Author:** ![crankymedia](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/35a633/32.png) [@crankymedia](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/crankymedia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 3:05pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3497 "2024-01-07T15:05:43Z")
> [@aaaaplay](#): > > Side note - I also found options to enable an FM DRM band - interesting considering the trial in Wangaratta. Good news if in Albury & surrounds, the FM DRM trial is from Mt Baranduda, same site as FM & TV. The AM DRM trial is at Dockers Plains near Wang. BAI are the trial operators if you need to contact for any info we don’t have here. And welcome @aaaaplay, we appreciate more members here. ---
**Author:** ![crankymedia](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/35a633/32.png) [@crankymedia](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/crankymedia)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3498 "2024-01-07T15:09:40Z")
> [@ozbark](#): > > Unfortunately Google Streetview dates back to Aug 2020 for imagery of the above location. There’s nothing at that address visible from the footpath. Perhaps at the old Magic Mountain site up on the nearby hill or atop an apartment building. ---
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3499 "2024-01-07T21:54:13Z")
> [@crankymedia](#): > > There’s nothing at that address visible from the footpath. Perhaps at the old Magic Mountain site up on the nearby hill or atop an apartment building Thanks for investigating @crankymedia 👏 Interesting given that licence is intended to have a site precision accuracy of 10m. Yes perhaps not transmitting from where it’s supposed to be… 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![anthonyeden](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/anthonyeden/32/362119_2.png) [@anthonyeden](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/anthonyeden)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2024, 9:44am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3500 "2024-01-14T09:44:12Z")
> [@ozbark](#): > > What has also impressed me is that it is apparent that the author does or has read our Media Spy RDS forum posts as some of the PI code selection problems have been highlighted in the article. 👏 Thanks @ozbark. Yes I’ve read Media Spy for many years now but haven’t posted much. I work a lot with broadcasters around the world in setting up RDS, and I wanted to condense a lot of wisdom into a reference article so I had something to point people to. Whenever I tell an Aussie broadcaster ‘there’s actually a local system for picking a PI code’, they are usually shocked 😆 Thanks to everyone here for their work on the spreadsheet. ---
**Author:** ![ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/9de053/32.png) [@ozbark](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ozbark)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 3:29am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3501 "2024-01-16T03:29:48Z")
> [@anthonyeden](#): > > Thanks to everyone here for their work on the spreadsheet. Thanks Anthony for your posting & appreciation. I’ve posted a link to your article on Worksheet 13 (Links Box) in our RDS List. Hopefully a combination of all our efforts results in better RDS programming for Australian (& NZ) FM radio stations. Keep up the good work. 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Bas\_Tech](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/bas_tech/32/486741_2.png) [@Bas\_Tech](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Bas_Tech)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 6:23am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3502 "2024-01-16T06:23:42Z")
I noticed in my van radio, as well as on my digital radio, this week Hit104.7 and Mix106.3 Canberra had major RDS upgrades, reflecting their DAB+ positions. PS for 104.7 MHz is HIT1047 PS for 106.3 MHz is MIX106.3 PTY for HIT1047 is Pop Music PTY for MIX106.3 is Other Music Can @Aaron_Evans_2005 please confirm the RDS text for both stations, for me, since he also lives in Canberra and it would be too long to fill out. ---
**Author:** ![Aaron\_Evans\_2005](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/aaron_evans_2005/32/295497_2.png) [@Aaron\_Evans\_2005](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Aaron_Evans_2005)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 7:10am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3503 "2024-01-16T07:10:50Z")
> [@Bas\_Tech](#): > > Can @Aaron_Evans_2005 please confirm the RDS text for both stations, for me, since he also lives in Canberra and it would be too long to fill out. I can’t, because I don’t know what RDS text is. Could someone explain it to me? ---
**Author:** ![Bas\_Tech](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/bas_tech/32/486741_2.png) [@Bas\_Tech](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Bas_Tech)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 7:28am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3504 "2024-01-16T07:28:14Z")
RDS text is basically radio text which broadcasts static or dynamic messages. Here’s a ref for your information: [What is RDS Radio/What Does RDS Mean on a Radio?](https://www.radio4all.org/what-is-rds-radio/) ---
**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:** [January 16, 2024, 8:34am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3505 "2024-01-16T08:34:21Z")
3NE has RDS on its Mount Hotham translator (89.3) but that’s it. Nothing on Mt. Buffalo/Bright (99.1) or Mount Beauty (90.1). I don’t think Myrtleford (90.1) has it on either. The Edge Mount Beauty exists (93.3) but doesn’t have RDS. The Bright translator on 92.1 still isn’t on air. No RDS on 3VKV Alpine Radio in either Mount Beauty (96.5) or Bright (92.9). I don’t think Harrietville (94.5) is on air; I’ll check when I visit Mount Hotham on Thursday. I went close enough to Harrietville today and all I got was a fairly strong JJJ Shepparton. Many of these stations in the alpine regions would benefit from blanket RDS with AF. A station that could really use it is 94.1/94.3/96.3 2TVR. BTW, they still have the scrolling RDS. We’ve now got static ‘2BRW’ on Braidwood FM, which will please most here. Here in Falls Creek, both MMM and (s)hit have RDS, on 94.1 and 100.5 respectively. DX from the town centre is pretty poor as it’s still fairly hemmed in by the mountains. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2024, 10:58am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3506 "2024-01-16T10:58:24Z")
Good summary of current RDS in the Alpine region. The Shepparton SCA relays at Mansfield/Mt Buller on 91.3 and 93.7 had RDS when i was down there last too. ---
**Author:** ![AustralianAerial](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/australianaerial/32/427176_2.png) [@AustralianAerial](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/AustralianAerial)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2024, 7:34pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237/3507 "2024-01-16T19:34:52Z")
> [@dxnerd](#): > > I went close enough to Harrietville today and all I got was a fairly strong JJJ Shepparton. From memory you barely get a signal unless you’re in Harrietville proper - mind you it has been some time since I’ve been in this part of the world. [Previous page](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237.md?page=173) [Next page](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/radio-data-system-rds/237.md?page=175)