Clear Channel Stations RDS PI fields have wrong call letters

[mikl73]

The RDS PI's for all the Clear channel stations have been wrong for as long as I can remember. I'm sure no one over there cares. I called once to ask about the terrible audio problems on WHRK HD2 and WEGR HD2 and was told they don't even have a radio to monitor the HD2s.

 

[rgseark2009]

Its a common problem with CC stations. In Little Rock the CC stations have all their RDS 'PI' codes all mixed up.

I've also seen this happen with non-CC stations. One station in NW Arkansas (NOT owned by CC) had this problem, and WLTM 97.9 Greenville MS is still using "WBAQ" in their PI.

 

[tomservo]

I guess nobody thinks to update because PI is a very uncommon feature on consumer radios? PS is most common and RT is probably the second most common, followed by maybe CT, AF or PTY.

 

[isanybodythere]

what the hell y'all talkin about?

 

[CleanAudio]

I checked with a friend of mine who works for CC engineering and this is actually on purpose, as they broadcast the TMC traffic data and that system is set to use "K" for all call letters in the PI position with a different HEX calculation than what would normally be for the correct call letters of the station on the RDS encoders in order for the traffic system to work correctly on your car navigation systems and handheld GPS units. CC is way on top of their data systems most car radio's don't display the PI code, to be honest CC leads the way on the technical side of the business, all other companies follow what CC does. The CC corporate/regional engineering structure is top notch, probably the best in the business. I realize this board is mostly programming related and the digs on CC programming happen on a daily basis but on the engineering side they do stuff right, I have seen what they do first hand.

 

[tomservo]

If their engineering is so good then why does WREC sound like a tin can, and why can I no longer get WDIA anywhere in the Mississippi Delta anymore?

 

[CleanAudio]

Just checked the FCC site, WDIA is operating a 1/4 power currently on an STA to rebuild the 50kw array. Not sure about the audio on WREC.

 

[RadeoEngineer]

Just checked the FCC site, WDIA is operating a 1/4 power currently on an STA to rebuild the 50kw array. Not sure about the audio on WREC.

HD

 

[tomservo]

Just checked the FCC site, WDIA is operating a 1/4 power currently on an STA to rebuild the 50kw array. Not sure about the audio on WREC.

Ah, okay.

Actually to confess my barb was about them adopting HD on both stations, rendering us analog-only listeners as second class citizens. I didn't move to the area and discover WDIA long before they turned on the HD and it didn't sound too hot even then, but they may have rolled the audio back early in prep for HD like they did in Birmingham to WERC. It went all tin-can on us well before the hash generator was turned on.

I'd love it if WDIA was just wideband and in stereo, but then I know I'd be the only one around who could hear it.

 

[mikl73]

Thanks for the explanation. I have owned 2 radios with RDS and both displayed the PI. It bugs me when I see "KGAD" show up instead of the correct call letters.

FM100 shows up as "WDA"
so it's not just CC stations.

My last radio actually labeled the preset button using what was in the PI.

 

[rgseark2009]

I checked with a friend of mine who works for CC engineering and this is actually on purpose, as they broadcast the TMC traffic data and that system is set to use "K" for all call letters in the PI position with a different HEX calculation than what would normally be for the correct call letters of the station on the RDS encoders in order for the traffic system to work correctly on your car navigation systems and handheld GPS units. CC is way on top of their data systems most car radio's don't display the PI code, to be honest CC leads the way on the technical side of the business, all other companies follow what CC does. The CC corporate/regional engineering structure is top notch, probably the best in the business. I realize this board is mostly programming related and the digs on CC programming happen on a daily basis but on the engineering side they do stuff right, I have seen what they do first hand.

If you say so CC fanboy.... If one believes that batsqueeze then: the moon is made of cheese; radio is truly diverse and never better in its history; and the RIAA is on the cutting edge of promoting the online music industry.

That excuse has to go into a nomination of this year's "GM: We Sweat The Details" Line Of BS Award.