Dallas - Sep 19, 2012 - The National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) adopted a new NRSC guideline that focuses on recommendations for broadcasters and receiver manufacturers in the use of the Radio Data System (RDS) data broadcasting technology. NRSC-G300, RDS Usage Guideline was adopted by the Radio Broadcasting Data System (RBDS) Subcommittee, chaired by Dan Mansergh, director of engineering, KQED Public Radio, San Francisco. Approximately 60 pages in length, G300 includes sections focusing on select features of RDS, using RDS for program associated data, and an Annex listing providers of RDS-based data services. Service providers may request inclusion in this Annex by submitting a form, which is also included in the new guideline.

In addition, based on NRSC procedures that require that all standards and guidelines to undergo a review every five years, three documents were reviewed and revised slightly by the AM and FM Analog Broadcasting (AFAB) Subcommittee, co-chaired by Stan Salek, senior engineer, Hammett and Edison, Sonoma, CA, and Gary Kline, SVP corporate director of engineering and IT, Cumulus Broadcasting, Atlanta:

■ NRSC-1-B, NRSC AM Preemphasis/deemphasis and Broadcast Audio Transmission Bandwidth Specifications
■ NRSC-2-B, Emission Limitation for AM Broadcast Transmission
■ NRSC-G100-A, Bandwidth Options for Analog AM Broadcasters

These documents will be available free-of-charge on the NRSC website, following a final, procedural review that will take approximately two weeks.