Reverse RDS PI Code Calculator
The original script was recovered from https://www.w9wi.com/articles/rdsreverse.htm on the Internet Archive. Most credits to this script to the original author.
Edits to this script to support US Translator PIs and Canadian PIs by the DX Sphere and DX Foxxes/Damian.
For information about RDS abbreviations, descriptions and key terms, view RDS Info.
» If you have any news, updates, additions or corrections... e-mail them to [email protected].
RDS PI Code Calculator for USA
This identifier works for U.S. stations (both full-powered and translators) and most full-powered Canadian stations.
This identifier does not work for stations outside the U.S. and Canada!
This page is designed to calculate the correct PI code value for your station's callsign.
The R(B)DS standard (Source) assigns specific Program Identification (PI) codes to each U.S. station, mapping them from the call letters.
The point is to ensure two stations with the same service area don't end up with the same code.
Otherwise, it is theoretically possible some radios might regard these stations as interchangeable, and automatically tune between them when one's signal fades.
There is no error checking in this JavaScript.
Enter a nonsense callsign and you may get a PI code anyway.
To Check This Result:
- Go to this page.
- Enter the hexadecimal PI code in the upper box.
- Click Calculate.
- Your station's callsign should appear in the lower box.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the station's callsign (e.g., WXYZ, KABC)
- Do NOT include suffixes like -FM or -LP
- Click the "Calculate PI Code" button
- The PI code will appear in both decimal and hexadecimal formats
- Use the hexadecimal value for programming RDS encoders
- Use the "Clear" button to reset and try another callsign
Note: This calculator works for most US full-power and translator stations, as well as many Canadian stations. The hexadecimal PI code is the value typically used in RDS encoder programming.