This feature is indeed a timer, known affectionately as a "clock". The reason it doesn't agree with your idea of time is because it's showing the radio station's time. Try using "RDS clock" as your search term (a phrase search over all groups may be a good start).

Sorry that link doesn't work - it's because the BBS in its infinite wisdom decided that POST was a sensible HTTP method for a search function (which as everyone knows is Plain Stupid).