PS (Program Service Name) At the user’s option

the PS entry may be either a static 8-character informal station ID (a ‘street name’ such as LIVE 105)

or a scrolling station promo or advertising message up to 128 characters in length. PS entries are displayed on the faceplate of every RDS radio

and on most cell phones and MP3 players that have built-in FM radios. The display mode and scrolling rate of PS messages are user-programmable

PI (Program Identification) Every RDS station is identified by a unique numerical code

its ‘digital address.’ North American ‘K’

‘W’ and ‘C’ call signs are automatically converted to the proper PI code by 703 software. In other countries the PI code is assigned by the local Broadcasting Authority and is entered numerically

AF (Alternative Frequencies) Enter as many as 25 frequencies of rebroadcast ‘translators’ or other sources of the very same program as the main channel. This helps RDS radios seek the best signal source for a particular listening location

RT (RadioText) This 64-character block of plain text is separate from

and in addition to

the scrolling PS message. Generally used for additional information about the station

such as a Web address or telephone number

this text is accessed with the INFO or TEXT button on some radios

M/S (Music/Speech Switch) A service flag that identifies the transmission as a mixed music program or a speech-only (news/talk) station

DI (Decoder Information) Part of the RDS protocol identifying the transmission as stereophonic