RDS Functions

RDS Formats:

ALT -The ALT button is used to access the RDS functions. When pressed, ALT will be displayed on the screen, prompting the user to make an RDS selection. If no selection is made, the ALT display will time out in 20 seconds. If radio backlighting is on and ALT is pressed, the radio dual function backlighting will switch to illuminate the RDS functions.

MESSAGE - This feature is used to display text broadcast by an RDS station. This feature is only for Domestic RDS receivers and is invoked by pressing the ALT then MSG buttons.

If the currently tuned station is broadcasting messages, MSG will be displayed. When MSG is pressed, the display will show the first 12/24 characters of information for 20 seconds. If the user presses the MSG button within 20 seconds, the next 12/24 characters are displayed. The sequence continues until the entire message is displayed. If the display is not changed for 20 seconds or if any key is pressed except MSG, the display will return to its appropriate contents.

CLOCK TIME - The RDS Clock Time (CT) feature enables the receiver to be automatically set by the broadcasting station. The default for CT is off. To enable the CT function, the user must press the ALT, then either HRS or MIN buttons. The display will show the current status. Additional press of the MIN button toggles through the following clock time states: OFF, FIXED, AUTO. After 5 seconds or if any other key is depressed except MIN key, the display will return to its appropriate contents. CT mode selection shall be available during all radio modes in which clock time can be set.

When using CT FIXED, the clock time is updated by the time zone the user deferens. If the user defames a different time zone than the one currently in, the CT will appear to be inaccurate. When using CT AUTO, the clock time is determined by the time zone of the tuned station. When using either CT FIXED or CT AUTO, the clock time will be inaccurate if the station sends the incorrect time.

To modify clock time with CT OFF, hours and minutes in the normal manner. While in the CT FIXED mode, the user selects the appropriate time zone using the HRS key. The HRS key will modify the time zone in one half hour increments. The time zone displayed will be the selected time zone. After 5 seconds or if any other key is pressed, the display will return to its appropriate contents.

TRAFFIC ANNOUNCEMENT (TA) - This feature procedure provides the interruption of the audio to allow for the broadcast of a traffic announcement. TA mode is enabled or disabled by pressing ALT-TA; when enabled, the TA light will be on. When TA is enabled, and the receiver is not currently tuned to a station broadcasting TA, the receiver will seek to the next available station broadcasting traffic announcements. If no Station is found, the receiver will return to the previously tuned station and cancel the TA mode. When tuned to a station that broadcasts traffic announcements, the TA light will illuminate.

The following sequence will occur when a TA is detected:
1. If the TA is being referenced with EON, the receiver will tune to the referenced network. Only stations with an identical PI code to that of the reference network will be accepted.
2. If a playback is in use, the receiver will immediately switch the audio to the tuner and the playback device will pause.
3. The display will indicate TRAFFIC ANNOUNCEMENT.
4. The volume will be set to the greater of a) the minimum default volume or b) the current listening volume. The volume is adjustable during the receipt of a traffic announcement. When the traffic announcement is complete, the previously selected functions are returned to user set positions.

TRAFFIC PROGRAM (TP) - This is the feature that enables the radio to receive Traffic Announcements (TA). If TP is turned off, no announcements will be received by the radio.

EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT - This feature provides for the interruption of the audio for the broadcast of a weather or disaster alert.

The following sequence will occur when an alert is detected:
1. If playback device is in use, the receiver will immediately switch the audio to the tuner and the playback device will pause.
2. The display will indicate ALARM for export applications and ALERT for domestic applications.
3. The volume will set to the greater of a) the TA default, or b) the current listening level. During the alert, the volume may be adjusted by the user. When emergency announcement is complete, the previously selected functions are returned to user set positions.

ALTERNATE FREQUENCY (AF) - This feature allows the receiver to automatically tune to an alternate station when the signal quality of the currently tuned station falls below an acceptable level. AF mode is enabled or disabled by pressing ALT-AF. Preset RDS stations are still available, the receiver will attempted to tune in station, if unable to obtain signal radio will perform PI seek.

FORMAT SEEK AND SCAN - Program type (PTY) information identifies a station by program format (TALK, NEWS, ROCK, etc.). The format type, used in conjunction with seek and scan, allows the user to seek or scan only stations with the selected format. For domestic receivers, the US RDS standard allows for the transmission of an optional Program Type Name (PTY-N). If the PTY-N feature is included in the radio, then the program type can be defined more specially using an eight character identifier. This type identification is not used in the search process, but is displayed after the receiver stops on a station with the entered PTY category.

While in the tuner mode, a format type may be selected. When the user presses FMT LIST up or down the display will show the previously selected format. The default format is ANY TYPE. While the format is being displayed, pressing FMT LIST up or down will allow the user to step through the format list. The display of the selected format list will remain for 5 seconds, unless canceled by pressing any other button.

Format type 30 reserved for emergency broadcast tests in the US. Format 31 is reserved for broadcast emergencies and can not be used as a search criteria. Several special types are included in the format lists. ANY TYPE is used to select any RDS station.

While displaying a search format, enabling seek or scan will find the next available RDS station with the selected format type. The display will show SEEK or SCAN and the format type while performing that function. When stopped on station during scan, the PS name will be displayed. When format seek or scan is selected without first selecting a search format, the previously selected format will be used. If no station is found after wrapping around the band twice, the receiver will return to the previous station.

Format seek or scan will be canceled by pressing ant button (media must be loaded for SOURCE to cancel format seek or scan).

FORMAT PRESETS - This feature allows the user to store and recall format types using the FMT A, B, or C keys. If the user presses any of the format presets, the receiver will begin seeking as described previously. To store a format selection, the user selects a format type. Once a format type is selected the user stores it in the selected format preset in the same manner as a normal preset stored (press and hold). When the storing process is complete, the display will show the format button stored and the format type. An automatic seek will not occur after this process.

A format seek invoked using the format presets is canceled by pressing any button (media must be loaded for SOURCE to cancel format seek). Defaults for the format preset buttons after battery cycle are ANY TYPE.