Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2003 09:27:00 -0600 From: "Walt Kienzle" <wkienzlenopsam.net> Subject: Re: 95 900s antenna mast - replacement
Finally, a good explanation of RDS features. Unfortunately it pretty much doesn't apply in the US. While we have RDS here, only about half the stations in major metropolitan areas send the signal (I live near Chicago), but only provide the call letters, possibly a short description of the programming type, and the current time. Usage away from cities is even less. Most low and mid-priced radios don't even offer RDS as a feature; it is reserved for high-end models. I traveled through 6 states last week after getting my new Blaupunkt RDS equipped radio, and not once did any news or weather messages interrupt my regular listening, even during traffic jams, closed expressways due to bad weather and rock falls, and icy expressways where cars and trucks spontaneously skidded off the roadway. Luckily I didn't participate in that activity, but if I would have heard that the weather was getting bad, I would have checked into a hotel. I think that the antenna staying up while playing a CD or tape is more of a "this is how we have always done it" feature and not specifically because of RDS. Often that signal from the radio also turns on an external amplifier that would also be needed when the CD or tape is being played. The antenna on my stock Clarion radio stayed up when I played a tape even though that was not an RDS equipped radio. In the US, we also have a national public broadcasting network that is called NPR - National Public Radio (or National Propaganda Radio). It has some interesting programs, and no commercials unless you count the occasional statement crediting an underwriter for their sponsorship. We don't even have to pay for it ;-). The rest of the stations are commercial, but at least we have a choice. Walt Kienzle "Leif Tangen" <tangennopsamcom> wrote in message news:1fqojqa.1hj49pc1ndwxqcN%tangennopsamcom... > -Bob- <noemailnopsammain.com> wrote: > > > On Wed, 19 Feb 2003 13:55:18 +0100, tangennopsamcom (Leif Tangen) > > wrote: > > > > > > >When the antenna goes up, it's not a bug, it's a feature. It seems like > > >nobody in this discussion remembers that the RDS function needs the > > >antenna at all times. You'll lose the traffic messages and PTY news > > >broadcasts if you don't provide a radio signal even when you're playing > > >your tapes or CDs. > > > > > > RDS ? > > > > I see it as a feature since I often listen to the radio... but during > > commuter times they usually play too many commercials, so I change to > > the CD. Once in a while I'll pop back to the radio to see if I can > > catch a traffic update or some different music, then flop back to > > the CD. I'd hate to wait for the antenna each time. > > > > Bob > > I see you start by writing a question mark after the letters RDS, I > therfore assume that you are not familiar with the system. > > RDS (Radio Data System) means the radio interupts your CD or tape when > there's an important traffic annoncement or breaking news. You don't do > anything, just play your CD and the radio network will broadcast coded > messages that bring your CD to a halt and tell you the news, and then > will switch back to the CD again. Common in all modern car sound systems > in Europe. > > O.T.: A nice thing about most Europeean broadcasters is that our radio > stations are mostly non-commercial. I gladly pay about $200 a year to > our national public broadcaster to keep it that way. > > -- > Leif Tangen, Svelvik, Norway > 1976 96L V4 > 1977 99 GLS > 1986 900i > 1992 900i 2,1 Griffin > 1998 900S > 1999 9-5 2,0t > -- > Leif Tangen, Svelvik
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