TWiRT Ep. 804 - Demystifying RDS/RBDS Data with Tyler Woodward

About this episode

Tyler Woodward discusses the importance and technical details of RDS and RBDS for FM stations.

RDS may be one of the smallest signals your FM station transmits, but getting it right matters more than ever. On Episode 804 of *This Week in Radio Tech*, broadcast network engineer and podcast host, Tyler Woodward, explains the technical details behind RDS and its U.S. counterpart, RBDS. We discuss the data fields every FM engineer should understand, including PI codes, program type, alternate frequencies, and the way field repetition rates affect what listeners see on their radios. Tyler also explains why accurate PI codes are increasingly important for connected-car services such as RadioDNS and dts AutoStage—and points broadcasters to a useful online tool for verifying the correct PI code for their call letters. If you are responsible for an FM station, this is a must-listen—or must-watch—conversation.

People in this episode

Host: guysfromqueens

Guest: Tyler Woodward

Topics covered

• RDS
• RBDS
• FM station
• broadcast engineering
• connected-car services

Keywords

• RDS
• RBDS
• FM station
• PI codes
• program type
• alternate frequencies
• field repetition rates

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: RadioDNS, dts AutoStage

More episodes of This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

• TWiRT Ep. 803 - Touring the New Radio ONE in Indianapolis · June 5, 2026 · 1h 8m
• TWiRT Ep. 802 - Generative AI in Broadcasting with John Pooley · May 29, 2026 · 1h 1m
• TWiRT Ep. 801 - WELY - Rising From the Ashes with Erick Burnstad · May 23, 2026 · 1h 1m
• TWiRT Ep. 800 - An Engineered Alternative to Satellite Delivery with Adrian Berkovits · May 15, 2026 · 1h 10m
• TWiRT Ep. 799 - Engineering After the Temple of Five 9's with Tracy Teagarden · May 8, 2026 · 1h 8m
• TWiRT Ep. 798 - Engineering in Market #4 with Shane Toven · May 1, 2026 · 1h 14m