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PTY (Programme Type)
This coding of up to 31 pre-defined programme types (e.g., in Europe: PTY1 News, PTY6 Drama, PTY11 Rock
music) allows users to find similar programming by genre. PTY31 seems to be reserved for emergency
announcements in the event of natural disasters or other major calamities.
TA, TP (Traffic Announcement, Traffic Programme)
The receiver can often be set to pay special attention to this flag and, for example, stop the tape/pause the CD or
retune to receive a traffic bulletin. The TP flag is used to allow the user to find only those stations that regularly
broadcast traffic bulletins whereas the TA flag is used to signal an actual traffic bulletin in progress, with radio
units perhaps performing other actions such as stopping a cassette tape (so the radio can be heard) or raising the
volume during the traffic bulletin.
PS (Programme Service)
This is simply an eight-character static display that represents the call letters or station identity name. Most RDS
capable receivers display this information and, if the station is stored in the receiver's presets, will cache this
information with the frequency and other details associated with that preset.
CT (Clock Time)
Can synchronize a clock in the receiver or the main clock in a car. Due to transmission vagaries, CT can only be
accurate to within 100 ms of UTC.
EON (Enhanced Other Networks)
Allows the receiver to monitor other networks or stations for traffic programmes, and automatically temporarily
tune into that station.
REG (Regional)
This is mainly used in countries where national broadcasters run "region-specific" programming such as regional
opt-outs on some of their transmitters. This functionality allows the user to "lock-down" the set to their current
region or let the radio tune into other region-specific programming as they move into the other region.
RT (Radio Text)
This function allows a radio station to transmit a 64-character free-form textual information that can be either
static e.g. station slogans or in sync with the programming such as the title and artist of the currently playing song.
TMC (Traffic Message Channel)
Digitally encoded traffic information. Not all RDS equipment supports this, but it is often available for
automotive navigation systems. In many countries only encrypted traffic data is broadcast, and so an appropriate
decoder, possibly tied to a subscription service, is required to use the traffic data.