RDS in South African Radio stations

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cjh

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I wasn't sure whether to ask this here or in 'off-topic', but figured it would get more attention here.

I'm trying to decide between two CD-Receivers for my car, one with RDS, and one without.

What I want to know, is do South African radio stations (particularly Highveld and Jacaranda) make full use of the "TA" (Traffic Announcement) code?

I do a lot of business travel, and it's always nice to get the traffic updates, and if these stations broadcast TA while doing so, all the better.

Does anyone know if they reliably do this?
 
Broadcasting here couldn't be bothered to provide us with something actually useful like the TA code: all they've deigned to give us is the vanity station ID code which, for the channels you mention, doesn't do anything more than show which station you're tuned ...OK it also makes tuning in to stations easier, but this is pretty much a one time deal. For national stations like 5fm and radio 2000 it allows you to stay tuned in to it as you move through different areas where they're on different frequencies.

About the best chance you have to find out about traffic jams is use Highveld's .mobi site from your cellphone which they keep updated on current problems.
 
My traffic announcement works nicely, tunes in to Classic FM
 
cjh said:
What I want to know, is do South African radio stations (particularly Highveld and Jacaranda) make full use of the "TA" (Traffic Announcement) code?

I do a lot of business travel, and it's always nice to get the traffic updates, and if these stations broadcast TA while doing so, all the better.
Click to expand...
Although there isn't much support for RDS Traffic Announcement (TA) functionality in South Africa, most station do support RDS Alternative Frequencies (AF).

The AF functionality is a great feature if you live in a big city or do a fair bit of travelling as radio stations broadcast at different frequencies in different areas and the AF functionality allows your radio to automatically re-tune to the new frequency when the current signal becomes too weak.
 
nivek said:
My traffic announcement works nicely, tunes in to Classic FM
Click to expand...

Same here. My radio also keeps the last 3 traffic reports recorded and records when the car is off. That way I know if my usual way home has any major problems as Im leaving the parking lot.

I guess the deciding factors here are how much u use your radio (as apposed to CDs) as well as the cost factor (is the extra feature worth the extra money?)

As mentioned in posts above, the AF feature for long distance driving as well as the TAs make it worth it for me.
 
cjh said:
I wasn't sure whether to ask this here or in 'off-topic', but figured it would get more attention here.

I'm trying to decide between two CD-Receivers for my car, one with RDS, and one without.

What I want to know, is do South African radio stations (particularly Highveld and Jacaranda) make full use of the "TA" (Traffic Announcement) code?

I do a lot of business travel, and it's always nice to get the traffic updates, and if these stations broadcast TA while doing so, all the better.

Does anyone know if they reliably do this?
Click to expand...

http://mybroadband.co.za/blogs/2010...-ground-with-unique-radio-info-display-trial/
 
Highveld had TA on for awhile, and then it switched off again. Apparently it was a test, as a lot of FM stations in JHB are going this route, but they all have to switch on at the same time.
 
ECR - still stuck in the last millennium here!

I just wish that East Coast Radio here in Durban would also implement the TA feature as well - their playlists are SO CRAP anyway most of the time :mad: - I ONLY listen to ECR in the mornings / evenings if I am driving for Johan van Bargen's traffic reports :) - otherwise it is CD's for me! :D
 
Here in CT the screen on my radio often says news or alarm, then it starts playing Metro FM at full volume!
 
Ivan Leon said:
I just wish that East Coast Radio here in Durban would also implement the TA feature as well - their playlists are SO CRAP anyway most of the time :mad: - I ONLY listen to ECR in the mornings / evenings if I am driving for Johan van Bargen's traffic reports :) - otherwise it is CD's for me! :D
Click to expand...

AMAN! ECR really needs a make-over !!! 5fm all the way !!! (sorry i'm way too young for ECR music)

Its sad that this tech has been around so long (a 10 year old radio i saw has it) but in 2010 we getting it...lmao incase the ppl's from oversea's see how made sa is lamo
 
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