Station List Types

Easily navigating station lists is a very important user requirement. As lists get longer and more complex, and there are regulatory requirements around prominence, traditional methods for navigation need to be reconsidered.

Presets / Favourites are a valuable function for users, who tend to have a small number of preferred stations they listen to regularly.

Station List Types

Station lists are how drivers find and choose radio stations. As these lists get longer, it becomes harder to scroll, browse, and recognise what’s available.

Presets and favourites help drivers return to stations they already listen to, but they don’t replace the need for a clear station list that works well when browsing.

Depending on the capability of your receiver, you may have to list or find radio stations using one of these two methods.

Harmonised Station List

Best for Users

Drivers chose radio stations, not radio systems.

If possible, show all available radio stations in a single list, regardless of whether they are broadcast on FM, AM, DAB, or DAB+.

• Each station appears only once, even if it is available on more than one system or frequency.
• Duplicate entries caused by simulcasts or multiple frequencies are removed.
• Small labels may be used to show how the station is broadcast, if helpful.
• Stations are shown in a clear and predictable order, such as alphabetically.

Button or Key Navigation

If buttons or hard keys are used to move through the list:

• Moving down or clockwise moves down the list.
• Moving up or anticlockwise moves up the list.

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Station List per System

If a single combined list is not possible, stations may be shown in separate lists by system, such as FM, DAB, or AM.

• Switching between systems should be simple and obvious.
• The driver should always be able to tell which system they are viewing.
• Each system list should follow the same ordering and navigation rules as a combined list.