WHAT IS “RDS” AND HOW CAN IT INCREASE MY ENJOYMENT OF FM RADIO?
“RDS” stands for “Radio Data System” and it allows FM broadcasters to send far more than just an analog audio signal out over the air waves. Using a 57 kHz “subcarrier,” stations can transmit digital RDS data for reception by RDS-equipped FM tuners. This technology opens up a whole new range of conveniences and help to the listener with RDS reception capability. RDS began in Europe where it is now very successful. RDS is also increasingly popular in the Far East and, now is making substantial headway in North America. In fact, over 700 radio stations in the United States, most of them in major metropolitan markets, now broadcast RDS information on a regular basis. Just what kind of additional information can you expect? That depends on what the broadcaster transmits and what your tuner can pick up. Here s a master list of all the RDS services that might be available. You ll see that we ve divided them into two categories, Static and Dynamic, that are differentiated by . . . RDS “Static
