29
makes up the bulk of your programming.
RT
Radiotext is the static message that appears on the radio faceplate
when called up by the listener. This is not to be confused with the
PS field, which can be either static or dynamic. Some stations make
Radiotext a dynamic function, changing the message at intervals to
promote an upcoming broadcast, to announce results of a contest, or
to send advertising messages. We recommend that you program a
default Radiotext message into static memory and initiate a
SAVE
8
command. This will ensure that the Radiotext field will not be
empty following a power outage or loss of the data link.
To enter the static Radiotext type:
TEXT=x
1
x
2
x
3
. . . x
64
8
,
with x representing up to 64
uppercase
characters, including spaces;
a Radiotext message may be shorter than 64 characters, however.
Even with a default message saved in non-volatile memory,
Radiotext is updated simply by entering new data. This may be
done manually from a computer or terminal, or automatically by
station automation for messages that change during the day. When
connecting the encoder s
RS-232 SERIAL DATA INTERCONNECT
port to the automation system, be sure that the system is configured
for the proper data rate and programmed to give the
TEXT=...
header when sending data.
Radiotext Rate
Generally, Radiotext is updated less frequently than IDs and flags to
speed the radio s search for formats, traffic information and
alternative frequencies. The tradeoff is that text messages are sent
and updated less frequently. There will always be a tradeoff
between Radiotext throughput and speed of other RDS functions,
including AF-seek and either static or scrolling PS displays.
The Radiotext update rate is programmed by typing:
DRTS=n
8
,
with n a number between 1 and 9, corresponding to a refresh rate
between slow and fast, respectively. Keeping the throughput
tradeoff in mind, unless Radiotext is being used for contests or for
other quasi-dynamic activities, it is best to use a lower number. A
rate of 1, 2 or 3 will make little difference in the speed of other RDS
functions.
NOTE:
Radiotext can be turned off entirely by typing:
DRTS=0
8
.
A zero value in this field turns the Radiotext message off, but does
not delete any saved message from memory.
Free Format
Group
The encoder can transmit two unspecified data groups for in-house
remote control, restricted paging or similar proprietary applications.
This feature can be static, with the same data transmitted
repeatedly, or controlled by an external application as a dynamic
function.
The two free data groups are known as the
and
groups.
Each contains three hexadecimal ASCII blocks of data. To enter
data into these groups, type:
G=bbbbccccdddd
8
and/or:
H=bbbbccccdddd
8
. The blocks represented by bbbb, cccc and
dddd are the RDS B, C and D data blocks. Certain hexadecimal
values in these blocks may already be in use for RDS functions
