4 RDS
Speedster04 edited this page 2026-03-22 02:36:42 +01:00
This file contains ambiguous Unicode characters

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

RDS TX transmits Radio Data System (RDS) data on the 57 kHz subcarrier of an FM broadcast signal. It allows broadcasting of station name, program type, program ID, traffic flags, and scrolling text to RDS-capable FM receivers.

The app uses 4 tabs: Name, Text, Time, and Audio. Only the Name and Text tabs are currently functional; Time and Audio display "Not yet implemented."

RF Parameters

Parameter Value
Default frequency Stored in persistent memory
Frequency step 50 kHz
Bandwidth 1.75 MHz
Sample rate 2.28 MSps
TX gain 047 dB (LNA), 0/14 dB (AMP)

Settings are saved to tx_rds.ini.

Common Controls (all tabs)

These controls appear at the top of the screen regardless of the active tab:

  • Program type (PTY): Dropdown with 32 options (codes 031): None, News, Affairs, Info, Sport, Educate, Drama, Culture, Science, Varied, Pop, Rock, Easy, Light, Classics, Other, Weather, Finance, Children, Social, Religion, PhoneIn, Travel, Leisure, Jazz, Country, National, Oldies, Folk, Docs, AlarmTst, Alarm.
  • Program ID (PI): 4-digit hex value (0000FFFF). Identifies the station globally.
  • TP (Traffic Program): Checkbox — signals that the station regularly broadcasts traffic information.

Name Tab

  • Transmit PSN (checkbox): Enables transmission of the Program Service Name.
  • PSN: The station name shown on FM receivers. Maximum 8 characters. Default: TEST1234. Press Set to open the text entry keyboard.
  • Stereo: Checkbox — sets the DI (Decoder Identification) bit to indicate stereo audio.
  • Music: Checkbox — sets the MS (Music/Speech) bit.
  • Traffic announcement (TA): Checkbox — signals an active traffic announcement on this channel.

Text Tab

  • Transmit Radiotext (checkbox): Enables transmission of the RadioText (RT) message.
  • Text: Free-form scrolling text displayed on receivers. Maximum 28 characters in this implementation. Default: Radiotext test ABCD1234. Press Set to open the text entry keyboard.

Time Tab

Displays "Not yet implemented." Date and time transmission (RDS group type 4A / CT) is not functional.

Audio Tab

Displays "Not yet implemented." Audio-related RDS data transmission is not functional.

Starting Transmission

Press Start at the bottom of the screen to begin transmitting. Press it again to stop. All enabled tabs (PSN and/or Radiotext) are transmitted in rotation.